“It’s love that makes the world go round” (Iolanthe)

The Society certainly has a love of G&S!

The first full production of The Pirates of Penzance by the Arts Barn Gilbert & Sullivan Society was in 1987. The Society was established by founding members John and Sue Bailey who also took on the roles of Producer and Choreographer respectively for many years. Sadly, Sue and John are no longer with us. 

The Society’s first Musical Director was Jan Houghton, who stayed in the role for a few years. Our rehearsal and show pianists were Pauline Jakeman and Kaye Tompkins.

Rehearsals took place in The Arts Barn, near the Market Place in Wellingborough. This unique building gave the Society its name of the Arts Barn G&S Society. The Society also used Salem Hall in Wellingborough for the Friday evening principal rehearsals. Rehearsals were twice a week for many years! 

A few years later, when the Arts Barn building closed, the Society moved to West Street in Wellingborough for rehearsals.  In 1999, the rehearsals were held at Mill Road Baptist Church, where the Society continues to rehearse to the current day. 

The Society’s first show was performed at Weavers School in Wellingborough. For the next seven years shows were presented in different school halls and the United Reform Church. 

In 1995 the Society performed the magnificent ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’ in the newly built Castle Theatre, originally a former Cattle Market. What a fantastic feeling it was to be in a purpose-built auditorium for Theatre goers! Our Musical Director was Christine Howlett, who started with the Society in 1992 and remained MD until 2000.

The CastleTheatre continues to be a wonderful asset for Community groups, as well as professional performers. 

The original name of the Society was the Arts Barn Gilbert and Sullivan Society, as previously stated, but in 1992 the name was changed to Wellingborough Arts Barn Gilbert and Sullivan Society. However, following the autumn concert in 2011, the Committee decided to return the name to the Arts Barn Gilbert & Sullivan Society, (known fondly as the Arts Barn G&S Society), as this gave the members an opportunity to perform in other Towns and venues. 

In 2012, the Society held a competition to design a new logo to fit with the slightly altered name. This logo remains today.

KEY DATES AND EVENTS

In 2027 the Society will be 40 years old, which is an achievement considering everything an amateur group faces including financial costs and membership, but the Society continues to produce wonderful G&S and musical shows to delight the audiences.

Before we arrive at 2027, here is a “little list” of interesting facts:

2000: The Society President was the late David Turner, who was the Artistic Director of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap for several decades, and was the renowned adjudicator at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival for many years.

2001: The Society welcomed Carole Hanson as Director and Keith Green as Musical Director. They worked together for several years.

2002: The Yeomen of The Guard. In the programme there were many adverts for sponsors of the Society including Saxby Bros Ltd, and Tompkins Robinson Surveyors. There was an advert for new members with annual Membership of £20 and weekly rehearsal charge of 50p which included a raffle prize.

2005: Susan Drake, member since 1987, becomes the new Chairman – the Society’s first lady Chairman.

2006: The Mikado – the most popular G&S opera – performed with 30 chorus members.

2008: The Society departed G&S to try something new! A production of Kismet, which was quite a challenge and a big success.

2012: The Society’s 25th anniversary year. The Pirates of Penzance at The Masque Theatre, Barton Seagrave. David Chambers played the oboe in the orchestra and was the Musical Director for the Saturday matinee.

Between 2013 and 2017 the Society entertained the audience both in the Main Theatre and the Studio with a full show and a concert yearly. 

2017: This was our 30th Year and the members celebrated with an 80s themed Party, which was immense fun!

2018: The production of Iolanthe was presented in the Main Theatre of the Castle. This was to be the last production in the Main Theatre, with a full orchestra, due to various reasons including the cost of producing a large-scale show. The location for some programme photos was Chichele Gardens, Higham Ferrers. Several pianists played at rehearsals including Alison Harding, Adam Hollingshurst and Richard Holloway. Our Musical Director was Lesley Crowson.

2019: New Musical Director, Adam Hollingshurst, joined the Society.  Alan Joyce is President of the Society. During the Pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the Society was unable to meet and so the show, which was due to be performed in 2020, eventually aired in the Studio in 2022. This was The Mikado. 

2023: Liz Newell becomes Chairman. The Society received a NODA Nomination for Best Musical 2023 – Pirates, Pinafore & Popular Music.

2024: Love & The Law concert in the Castle Studio with Trial by Jury for one half, with the Defendant changed from Edwin to Edwina and the Foreman of the Jury being played by a lady too. 

2025: New Musical Director David Chambers joins the Society. David has immense knowledge of both G&S and other musical genres.

Retirement of Society President, Alan Joyce, after many decades with the Society. He will be missed but he still supports the productions! 

Susan Drake obtaining NODA Award for 60 years performing in musical theatre.

Sing, Laugh, Dance, Repeat! concert celebrating Gilbert & Sullivan as the forerunners of musical theatre received a NODA Award Nomination for Best Musical 2025.

“We show ourselves to loud applause from ten to four without a pause.” 

(Utopia Ltd)