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The Newcastle University Gilbert and Sullivan Society (NUGSS) is one of the oldest student societies in the university, established in 1952. Each year in the Spring term the Society performs one of the fourteen comic operas created by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. During the summer there is also a smaller summer production, often an original libretto set to music by Gilbert and Sullivan and other composers of the Victorian and Edwardian period.

Throughout the year the Society has a number of social events that include trips to see productions by local groups that often contain former members of NUGSS as well as professional productions.

The Society welcomes anyone who wishes to join, whether it be as a member of the cast or to help out with production and backstage. Auditions are held for all principal parts, but there is no audition to be in the chorus. The only requirement is a willingness to take part and have fun! The membership year for the year is only £8.

If you are alumnus of the Society then please visit the Alumni section of the website. We are currently trying to create a list of former members and create an archive of past productions, which you may be able to help us with!

Anna first joined NUGSS last year and enjoyed it so much she put herself forward for directing Pirates of Penzance along with Lucy Ashton. She has been involved in shows in secondary school and started up her own drama club in sixth form but Pirates is the first big production she has directed. She studies English Language and Literature and hopes to go on to be a speech therapist in the future.

This is Lucy's first year with NUGSS and she brings with her a wealth of experience with the Newcastle University Theatre Society, where she has been involved with Coraline and Medea. Hailing from Kent, Lucy is in Newcastle studying English Language and Literature.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Mark now studies in Newcastle under the guidance of Professor Eric Cross, Mark is currently studying for an MMus in Conducting at Newcastle University. Mark has been pleased to study under and work with many great musicians including: Greame Dandy (English National Opera), Simon Fidler, Denis McCaldin, Philip MacKenzie (Amadeus Orchestra) and Edwin Roxburgh. Mark also conducts many ensembles in the region including: Newcastle Sinfonietta, Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra, Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Sunderland University Choir and Tyneside Chamber Orchestra, and is the musical director for Semitones Music Group. In summer 2010, Mark was invited to conduct with the Amadeus Orchestra in Exeter Cathedral alongside resident conductor Philip MacKenzie.

In addition, Mark is a regular percussionist with local orchestras most recently in a world premiere performance with Orchestra North East at Durham Cathedral. In 2010, Mark founded the ICMuS Percussion Ensemble, for which he is still musical director. Mark enjoys being one half of the local Jazz Duo, PianoVibes.

A graduate of Music at Newcastle University, Kate has been in NUGSS since her first year and does not intend to let the fact that she has finished her degree stop her being involved! Past roles have included Lady Angela in the 2009 production of Patience and Flo in How to Marry an Aristocrat, later that same year. Kate is now studying Philiosphy at Durham University and as well as playing for NUGSS, she is also the rehearsal pianist for the Gosforth Musical Society.

Jonny's musical experiences date back as far as Infants' School, where he performed for the first time. Since then, he has been involved in accompanying from the age of twelve and took on his first role as Musical Director when he was fifteen. He regularly plays for the South Shields G&S Society and the Westovians. Jonny studies classical piano with concert pianist Venera Bojkova at Newcastle University, where he also majors in Composition.