| HULL UNIVERSITY GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY |
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| HULL UNIVERSITY GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY IS A RATIFIED SOCIETY OF HULL UNIVERSITY UNION AN EXEMPT CHARITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.hullstudent.com |
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| �THE SORCERER� � SUCCESS The Society's productions have steadily improved in the last few years, and the 2004 production of The Sorcerer was one of the best by the society in some years. Directed by Peter McNeill, the cast appeared to know what they were doing, and the humour was as subtle as can be expected from a student production, rather than the almost desperate humour of previous incarnations. Both orchestra and cast were ably controlled by Rebbecca Bell, the Musical Director, especially during the more difficult duet and ensemble pieces. For those who did not see The Sorcerer, the story involved the lead Alexis employing the assistance of J. W. Wells, a family sorcerer, who enchants the villagers with a love philtre with topsy turvy consequences. Aian Macphereson and Claire Holdich as Alexis and Aline gave assured and comic performances, doubtlessly bouyed by their previous experience in H.M.S. Pinafore. Claire sang beautifully with the skill of a Practiced performer. The title role was taken by Giles McNeill whose charaterisation was excellent. The highlights of the show were the chorus dance number at the start of Act II and the use of pyrotechnic displays. The show was a success for all involved. SHOW 2005 The Society's production for 2005 has been chosen by the Production Sub-Committee and will be The Pirates of Penzance. The Society will present The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty in The Middleton Hall, The University of Hull on Thursday 17th, Friday 18th & Saturday 19th of February 2005 at 7:30pm. The Society last staged The Pirates of Penzance on the 9th, 10th & 11th of March 2000. The coming year will see the 125th anniversary of this operetta's first production at the Royal Bijou Theatre in London. NEW COMMITTEE At the Society's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 17th March 2004, as is the custom of the society, the new officers of the society were elected. Peter McNeill and Paula Refern were both nominated for the office of President and Peter was elected. At the Society's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 17th March 2004, as is the custom of the society, the new officers of the society were elected. Peter McNeill and Paula Refern were both nominated for the office of President and Peter was elected. SOCIETY�S NEW FORMAL DINNER 2004 A Formal Black Tie Dinner is being planned by the Society for early November 2004. The event is likely to be held on campus at Staff House and will include a speaker. The evening is being planned to begin around 7:00pm on Saturday 6th, November 2004. The Menu is as yet unconfirmed but will be a sumptuous four course meal with drinks included in the ticket price. Tickets will be made available first to the Friends of the Society and sponsors then to the Society's Members and then finally they will be on sale to the public. The price of a ticket for the evening is expected to be around �35.00- �40.00. Tickets will go on sale to Friends of the Society on Wednesday 1st, September. The society has contacted a number of guest speakers and has received positive feedback, although no final choice has yet been made. The evening will certainly be a new highlight on the Society's social calendar. MEMBER HONOURED A member of the Hull University Gilbert & Sullivan Society has been honoured by Hull University (Students') Union with an Honorary Life Membership for, among other reasons, work with the Society. The member in question is Giles McNeill who was awarded the honour "in accordance with a resolution passed by the Life Membership Commission on Friday 2nd April 2004... in recognition of services to the Union". The honour was bestowed particularly with reference to the various committees Giles had been part of and his work with the G&S Society. Giles joined the Society in 2001 and in 2002's Patience played one of the 35th Dragoon Guards. In 2002/3 Giles directed and produced the society's production of H.M.S. Pinafore in the society's thirty-fifth anniversary year and most recently Giles appeared as John Wellington Well in the Sorcerer in 2004 and on last year's committee was the Society Fundraising Secretary. Giles consistently worked hard within the students' union in many roles, as the Chair of the Union Council, as Deputy Chair Services Committee and in numerous other aspects of union life. Honorary Life Membership was awarded to only a small handful of individuals this year. Giles McNeill said "I am delighted to have been given this honour, it is not just a recognition of my contribution but also all those who worked together on HMS Pinafore." The Society is very grateful to Giles who is assisting the new committee as (Acting) Publicity Officer until additional membership can be secured and the current Vacancies on the Executive Committee are filled. |