THE Yorkshire-based National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company is preparing for its first major UK tour this autumn with three new productions from Britain’s most famous theatrical partnership, which will visit Harrogate and Darlington.

It is the most ambitious professional light opera company tour since the late 1970s which coincidentally featured the original touring G& S Opera Company – the D’Oyly Carte – and stages three favourites, The Mikado, The Gondoliers and HMS Pinafore.

The company was established in 1994 as the link between the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, now in its 22nd year, and former members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. For 20 years the company presented definitive, professional G&S as part of the festival. Last year it undertook a short pilot tour to half-a-dozen theatres and received such a warm reception that it was decided to move into theatrical touring in a bigger fashion.

This year’s programme is directed by John Savournin, recently described as one of the finest G&S actor/directors of the present day. He has assembled an outstanding cast which includes G&S experts Richard Gauntlett, Bruce Graham, Oliver White, and Sylvia Clarke, working alongside the stars of tomorrow including Claire Lees, Amy J Payne, Elinor Moran, Robin Bailey and Kevin Greenlaw. The 35-strong cast will be supported by the acclaimed National Festival Orchestra and the company’s resident conductor, David Steadman.

Ian Smith, chairman and founder of the company says he is proud and excited about its achievements and growing reputation.

“ENO, Opera North and Scottish Opera all throw the occasional G&S into their repertoire,” he says. “We do nothing but G&S and it is a tribute to the evergreen popularity of the shows, that theatres around the country see and value the prospect of a week’s visit to their theatre. There is no doubt the prospect of three different shows over five or six days is particularly attractive.”

“Who would have thought 140 years ago that these operas would remain as popular around the world in 2015 as ever, and that they would continue to be translated into new languages – Japanese, Hungarian, Estonian, Yiddish and many others?” he says. “Earlier this year a production of The Pirates of Penzance was announced for South Korea. What we offer our audiences are the best productions they will see. They are faithful to the original foundations laid down by Gilbert himself; high-quality acting and singing; young, enthusiastic and talented chorus; colourful costumes and sets and a fantastic orchestra."

Tour details:

Harrogate International Centre, Sat, Aug 1, The Gondoliers; Sun, Aug 2, HMS Pinafore

Harrogate Royal Hall, Fri, Aug 14, Patience; Sat, Aug 15, Patience; Sun, Aug 16, The Mikado; Thur, Aug 20, HMS Pinafore; Fri, Aug 21, The Gondoliers; Sat, Aug 22, Patience; Sun, Aug 23, The Mikado;

Darlington Civic Theatre, Tues, Sept 15, The Mikado; Wed, Sept 16, The Mikado; Thur, Sept 17, HMS Pinafore; Fri, Sept 18, The Gondoliers; Sat, Sept19, The Gondoliers