International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival unveils Harrogate dates

A host of visitors are set to flock to the town for this year’s International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival 2016 in Harrogate which will run from August 3-21.The opening night will feature and a Gala Dinner Concert, presented by the entire National Gilbert and Sullivan Society Opera Company.As well as the dinner itself, the event promises The World’s Favourite Musicals, from Gilbert and Sullivan to Rogers and Hammerstein - and everything in between!Taking place on the opening night of what is the 23rd International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival - the third in Harrogate since it transferred from its original home in Buxton - the gala night programme has been prepared by festival music director David Steadman.The director will be Bill Deamer, the internationally-renowned presenter and an Olivier award-winning choreographer.As always, the festival’s home base will be the Royal Hall or Savoy Theatre - with its popular hub, the Utopian Pavilion located next door.As much as the festival is famous for its huge array of G&S productions from round the world over more than two weeks, it is also well known for its facilities.The Pavilion is the place for everyone to meet during the festival and offers a wide range of catering and drinks facilities.But it’s also somewhere that comes to life until the wee, small hours in a less formal way with free film shows, fringe performances and the offical Festival Club.Among the huge programme of concerts, the highlight looks likely to be the arrival of the world’s oldest performing G&S group - the Savoy Company from Philadelphia in the USA.The rest of the visiting companies encompass everything from the Charles Court Opera to university societies and youth groups.For tickets and information, visit www.gsfestival.org