The Cotswold Savoyards

Excellence in musical theatre in and around Cheltenham

INTO THE WOODS

24 - 28 June 2008
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine

Into the Woods, the Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim, is a magical tale that follows the adventures of a baker and his wife as they try to fulfill their quest for a child. Along the way, there are many comical moments as they cross paths with Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, a wicked witch and a host of other fairytale characters who are all pursuing their own wishes and desires. Their stories become intertwined in unexpected ways, revealing what happens after “happy ever after.”

Following their success with Sweeney Todd, the Cotswold Savoyards return to the world of Sondheim with this musical masterpiece - the sparkling score and witty lyrics will leave you spellbound.

“The Cotswold Savoyards are the Rolls-Royce of the amateur dramatics world.” Gloucestershire Echo, June 2007

“The best show yet from the most creative mind in the musical theater today.” Time Magazine on Sondheim’s Into the Woods

For more details click here.

THE SORCERER

By Gilbert and Sullivan
24th to 29th Nov 2008
Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham

Please click here for details on auditions and rehearsal dates for our show next autumn, The Sorcerer.

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA

26th Nov to 1st Dec 2007
Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham

By John Gay
In a new version by John Caird and Ilona Secacz

The Beggar’s Opera is a savagely funny musical satire on marriage, money and morals – as relevant and biting today as it was when first written. In this amateur premiere of a new version by John Caird and Ilona Secacz, first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1992, the old story is given new life as all our favorite characters return, in a play within a play, where beggars and thieves create a world of love, lust, deceit and greed.

IOLANTHE

12th - 16th June 2007
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Twenty years after she was banished for daring to marry a mortal, Iolanthe returns to the fairy fold on the day of the summer solstice. Trouble is, she now has a son Strephon whose heart is set on marrying Phyllis, an Arcadian shepherdess. When the Lord Chancellor vetoes their union, the Queen of the Fairies retaliates by sending Strephon, via a safe seat and an awful lot of spin, into Parliament where he plays havoc with its sacred institutions and privileges. The Law will not surrender meekly, but love is determined to conquer all. A cunning plan is required...

Acknowledged as one of the greatest Savoy operas, Gilbert’s satire on British politics remains as fresh and witty as when it was written, and is masterfully brought to life by Sullivan’s magnificent score.

CANDIDE

Music by Leonard Bernstein
20 - 25 November 2006
Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham

Candide is a perennially cheerful youth who travels round the world in search of the woman he loves and loses - more than once. He gets into many scrapes, from earthquake to shipwreck, and encounters friends and foes, including a pair of golden sheep, the Spanish inquisition and an old woman with one buttock (don’t ask)! Will they affect his rose-tinted view of life? An extremely improbable, witty musical but with real points to make, the New York Times described Candide as ‘Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece, musically much finer than his West Side Story’.

PINAFORE & TRIAL BY JURY

By Gilbert & Sullivan
26 June– 1 July 2006
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

In Trial by Jury, a famous Edwardian entertainer is sued by his former fiancée when he falls for another woman. He defends his behaviour while his ex flutters her eyelashes at every man in the court. How will the judge sum up in this love triangle case?

Meanwhile, on board the good ship Pinafore, the captain's daughter finds herself lined up for an arranged marriage - possibly of convenience - with the Admiral of the Fleet. She actually loves one of the crew, but her father would never allow her to marry anyone below his own rank. Can a way be found to remedy the situation?

ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD

21-26 Nov 2005
Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham
Music by Offenbach

A farcical plot and a scintillating score - complete with the immortal 'can-can' - combined to produce a hugely enjoyable romp through the mythology of Ancient Greece.

PRINCESS IDA

13th - 18th June 2005
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

By Gilbert and Sullivan

Written when the collaborators were at their creative peak, Princess Ida contains some of Gilbert’s cleverest lyrics and a score that is generally regarded as Sullivan’s best.

SWEENEY TODD

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
29th Nov - 4th Dec 2004
Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

As much a tale of love as of revenge, Sweeney Todd cleverly blends tragedy with comedy, managing the deft trick of being hilariously funny one moment and dark and suspenseful the next. Sondheim's multi-award-winning thriller, with its witty lyrics and soaring music, has rightly been hailed as a masterpiece of musical theatre.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

28 June - 3rd July 2004

This action-packed, high-energy production was performed at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

RUDDIGORE

24-29 Nov 2003

Our traditional production of this Victorian melodrama at the Playhouse Theatre was well received by press and public alike.

THE MIKADO

June 2003

The ever-popular Mikado was staged by the Cotswold Savoyards at the Everyman Theatre, this time with a mid-twentieth century setting.

SALAD DAYS

Nov/Dec 2002

“Salad Days” represented a complete change of pace for the Society. This musical comedy was written in 1954 by Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds and is set in a summer haze of Debs and magic.

TRIAL BY JURY & THE CONTRABANDISTA

Sept 2002

The Contrabandista, the “lost” comic opera by Arthur Sullivan, received its first professional performance since 1880.

This concert performance, sponsored by the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, brought together soloists from D’Oyly Carte, English National Opera, Glyndebourne Touring Opera and Opera North. The National Concert Orchestra was conducted by Malvern-based David Steadman, with the chorus provided by the Cotswold Savoyards.