Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society

The Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society is an amateur theatre society based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Also written Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society and called The "PE Gilbert and Sullivan Society".

Founding and early history

Established in 1932 and has operated continuously since then.

Vision and Mission

The Society's vision statement is: "To be the premier theatre society in South Africa".

The Society's mission statement is: "Putting our Hearts into the Arts with outstanding productions which nurture talent and provide audiences with a magical experience".

The membership of the Society crosses all age, race and gender demographics.

Objects

The Society's Constitution states that:

The main objects of the Society shall be: a) The study and performance of musical theatre; b) The fostering generally of interest in music and the theatre and the performance of any works in connection therewith; c) The presentation of experimental theatre and the Classics.

The ancillary objects of the Society shall be: a) To manage, maintain and develop the Savoy Theatre and Conference Centre; b) To raise funds by way of subscription, donation and otherwise or acquire any assets or resources that may be necessary for carrying out the Objects of the Society; c) To purchase or otherwise acquire plant, machinery, furniture, fittings, scenery and other necessary effects that may be necessary for carrying out the Objects of the Society.

Construction of the Savoy Theatre

In 1966 the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society decided to build a rehearsal hall, later named the Savoy Theatre. To end the problem of rehearsal space and a place to construct elaborate sets, it was decided to duplicate the stage and backstage areas of the Port Elizabeth Opera House attached to the Society's own hall. The hall was unique in South Africa in that it was the only rehearsal hall designed specifically to duplicate the stage of another theatre. The Port Elizabeth City Council sold the organization a plot of land at the corner of Diaz Road & Stirk St, Parsons Hill. In order to coax donations from the public a category of Building Patrons was created. For R25-00 these patrons would be entitled to receive two complimentary tickets for every show produced by the Society for 15 years. At the existing rate for tickets, this meant their investment would be returned in four years with another 11 years of free theatre.

Current status (2021)

Now known as The Savoy Theatre and Conference Centre, the venue itself features the auditorium with a full size 9m X 10m theatrical stage, with 2 large dressing rooms and one smaller "star" dressing room, with 2 unisex toilets for performers. The auditorium comprises five separate tiers for optional seating arrangements; dinner theatre style table seating, comprising of eight-seater trestle tables on each tier to allow for comfortable seating for 200 people, and theatre style seating comprising of rows of seats on each tier, allowing seating for 300 people. The Centre features a fully licensed and functional bar area and a coffee lounge area, separate from the bar area which sells coffees, teas and sweets as an option for simple catering events.

Impact on SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

The Society owns and operates the Savoy Theatre and Conference Centre in Adcockvale, Port Elizabeth.

Since formation (1932), the society has presented high quality musical and dramatic productions for the Port Elizabeth community. Thousands of young performers, technicians, musicians and creative practitioners from all backgrounds have received training and reinforcement during productions. Many have gone on to study and work in professional theatre in South Africa and internationally, including Naledi Award winners Angela Kilian and Gareth Williams, professional performers Richard Vorster, Chireen Ferreira, Mandisa Tiso, Jerry Fortuin, Bennie Gerber, Jody Butler and many more.

The Society was previously aligned with CAPAB, but currently (2014) funds all its performances from its own funds and have not received funding from any other source.

The Society presents productions that cover a wide cross section of musical theatre genres including South African works. During the period 2011 to 2014 it has produced shows as diverse as the classic musical Oklahoma, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, the "juke box" style musical Disco Inferno, Fiela’s Child - The Musical and Sounds of South End. The Society also seeks to showcase local talent in revue style productions such as Page to Stage (2014) which feature many cast members performing solo numbers.

In 2015 the G&S President, Rose Cowpar, and Yolande Farrow, newly-elected Chairperson of the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society (PEMADS) initiated a closer relationship between the two societies, including joint projects.

Productions

This is a chronological list of productions staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society since its establishment in 1932. More details of director, cast etc. under seperate entry per individual musical or play.

1932: Iolanthe

1932: The Pirates of Penzance

1933: Patience

1934: The Pirates of Penzance

1934: The Yeomen of the Guard

1935: H.M.S. Pinafore

1935: Patience

1936: The Mikado

1937: Iolanthe

1937: The Gondoliers

1938: Princess Ida

1939: Iolanthe