WITH all this Brexiting depressing the world it is good to have some quintessential English phenomena delighting the world! And what could be more British than any of the thirteen Gilbert and Sullivan operas which have set the standard for musical theatre from Broadway to the West End for 125 years.

Preserving the tradition of the original D'Oyly Carte Opera Company is the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company which this year celebrates its 25th year as the resident professional company for the world famous International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival prior to hitting the road for a tour around the country featuring six brand-new productions for its 2018 season.

The Pirates of Penzance – this all-time favourite will be a real treat in the hands of director Richard Gauntlett. Watch out for a hilarious production as Richard also takes to the stage as the dotty Major General with his troupe of beautiful daughters.

A dramatic and updated Ruddigore will be directed by Irish dream team – Vivien Coates and choreographer Mary McDonagh – the pair behind last year’s five star winning production of Princess Ida.

And the team will also be in charge of a new production of Iolanthe so you can be sure there will be some real fairy magic in this beautifully conceived production.

The Sorcerer directed by John Savournin promises a fresh look at this rarely performed gem. The eccentric local community is preparing to celebrate the union of Alexis and Aline in the village hall until family Sorcerer (come-travelling-salesman) John Wellington Wells comes along and things take a turn for the worse in this hilarious and fantastically farcical plot.

Trial by Jury (part of a double bill with The Sorcerer) is directed by Opera Company Artistic Director, Ian Smith and his traditional, charming production promises memorable entertainment.

And last but certainly not least will be the first professional production for more than 120 years of the Sullivan-Grundy piece, Haddon Hall, a dramatisation of a 19th-century legend based around the famous Derbyshire Hall. Directed by Sarah Helsby Hughes it promises to be a special feature of the Opera Company year.

In this celebratory year the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera company offer their most ambitious programme to date and are rightly proud of an exceptional cast with the very best G&S performers.

Maestro James Hendry, an outstanding young conductor fresh from the Royal Opera House holds the baton for four of the productions and Festival Musical Director Andrew Nicklin conducts The Pirates of Penzance and Haddon Hall. The National Festival Orchestra accompanies all performances.

So, let's forget about the Customs Union, the Irish border and international trade deals and join people from around the world who are coming to England for a veritable feast of outstanding Gilbert and Sullivan that awaits them this summer.