of Society ladies

Gilbert and Sullivan societies have been given an unlikely boost in the shape of film-maker Mike Leigh.

His latest cinema hit Topsy-Turvy, inspired by the lives of the famous creators of the Savoy operettas, have helped to expose them to a completely new audience.

And according to Bingley Gilbert and Sullivan Society's chairman Margaret Holliss, that can only be a good thing.

"It's a lovely film and it will give us a real boost because people who don't know their work don't appreciate it fully," she said.

"People think it's frivolous and silly but it's very very difficult music. Some of the songs are just so hard, I don't know how they song them. They're so fast, the patter ones."

The society's latest annual production is Ruddigore, which is being staged at Bingley Arts Centre from Monday until May 6.

Margaret said the show, set in the comically-named village of Red Erring, was of particular interest because it supposedly had local links.

"We think Gilbert travelled up here and got the idea for Ruddigore from the Murgatroyd family of East Riddlesden Hall. They were certainly a bad lot who got up to some awful things and did some dastardly deeds."

All in all, Ruddigore is great family entertainment despite a grim-sounding plot, says Margaret, who will also be in the chorus.

"We start off burning a witch and in the second act the portraits leave their frames to torture people. It's a very wholesome show!" she joked.

Judith Smith is the producer For Ruddigore and Ian Rawstron is the musical director.

Jacqui Sugden is Rose Maybud, Elizabeth Herbert is Dame Hannah, Richard Thompson is Robin, Tony Lancaster is Sir Despard, Brian Medley is Sir Roderick, Ray Walters is Richard Dauntless, Ben Chamley is Old Adam, Gabrielle Chariatti is Mad Margaret and Gill Dobson is the chief bridesmaid.

Bingley Gilbert and Sullivan Society has been in existence since the mid 1940s and puts on a concert at Bingley Arts Centre in October as well as its annual stage show. It has a thriving membership of 80, including 18 juniors aged six to 15.

"We have a lot of fun and I think that's why it succeeds. People just give so much to society," said Margaret.

l Ticket prices are £7 and £4.50 for adults or £5 and £3.50 for children, with premium tickets also on sale on May 5 and 6 at £8. Senior citizens tickets are also available for Monday only at £5 and £3.50. To book, ring (01274) 657294 during the evening or (01274) 567983 from 2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Simon Ashberry

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.