Our History
A Short History
Early Beginnings
The Gilbert and Sullivan operettas have been performed in Victoria on a fairly regular basis since 1945, when a new society was formed by six young ladies of Christ Church Cathedral choir. This society they named the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the first production was HMS Pinafore and performed at the old York Theatre.
The following year the performance venue was changed to the Royal Theatre and continued in this lovely building for several years until the move was made to the completely refurbished McPherson Theatre.
1952
In 1952 the society changed its name to The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society which enabled a move away from only Gilbert and Sullivan to include musical theatre of the Broadway style. Over the next few years the Society went on with a further name change and became the Victoria Operatic Society, which continues to perform musical productions of very good quality to this very day.
There were, however, several “diehards” who preferred to concentrate on Gilbert and Sullivan operas and so a breakaway group The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society was formed.
Musical Talent
Over the last few years we have had the good fortune to be associated with many extremely talented musicians and actors. Michael Gormley, George Corwin and Brian Jackson have appeared in our orchestra pit, to name but a few and we have been very privileged to share our stage, on occasion, with the late and much lamented Colin Skinner.
www.gilbertandsullivanvictoria.ca/history.html
Updated: October 16, 2008
