A BASIC DESCRIPTION
Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society was formed in 1951 in Crosby, Liverpool. The society performed their first production of "The Mikado". Since then it has performed G&S productions at a variety of different venues across Liverpool. Their first productions were hosted at The Winter Gardens Theatre, Waterloo (1951 - 1963) following this at The Crane Theatre, Liverpool. The company later moved from The Crane to the Neptune, and later from the Neptune to The Epstein. In early 2016, the society performed their final production at the Epstein Theatre; a production of "The Gondoliers". From 2017, the society will take up residence at Southport Little Theatre. This will see them bring a more updated version of the G&S operetta "The Pirates of Penzance".
THE FOUNDATIONS
Below is an extract from the Crosby Herald, an article from April 1951 commenting on the foundation of Crosby G&S Society.
NOTABLE PEOPLE
May Collins - The founding member of the society. In April 1951, it was she who organised an initial meeting in "Norman's Cafe", Crosby. The meeting was attended by seventy potential members. Overwhelmed with the interest, she set out as she meant to go on and took a leading part in Producing the first production "The Mikado", which, according to reviews gave the society a positive leap into society.
May remained a loyal and active member, never performing in shows, only Producing, until her death in 1989.
The future of the society owes a lot to this great lady who in a time when Men ruled the world, took a leap and forced her dream through.
May Collins acted as society Producer from 1951 until 1983 when she retired from her position due to ill health.
Alongside her sterling work as Producer, May served a strong, active committee member. She took on numerous committee positions during her time. On the original 1951 committee, she acted as Vice-Chairperson, before stepping into a general role. She remained on the general committee until 1974, when she took a break and just focus on her producing. In 1982 she was granted the honour of becoming Society President, a role she remained in her death.
May Collins died in 1989 leaving the Society she worked so hard to build, in the capable hands of the current and future members.
Her legacy will live on in every production we do.
May remained a loyal and active member, never performing in shows, only Producing, until her death in 1989.
The future of the society owes a lot to this great lady who in a time when Men ruled the world, took a leap and forced her dream through.
May Collins acted as society Producer from 1951 until 1983 when she retired from her position due to ill health.
Alongside her sterling work as Producer, May served a strong, active committee member. She took on numerous committee positions during her time. On the original 1951 committee, she acted as Vice-Chairperson, before stepping into a general role. She remained on the general committee until 1974, when she took a break and just focus on her producing. In 1982 she was granted the honour of becoming Society President, a role she remained in her death.
May Collins died in 1989 leaving the Society she worked so hard to build, in the capable hands of the current and future members.
Her legacy will live on in every production we do.
Beti Lloyd-Jones - Elizabeth Lloyd-Jones was an original member of the Crosby G&S society, performing as a member of the chorus in "The Mikado" (1951) and later taking on principle parts (between 1953 - 1956). Following this tenure, she left the society and Crosby to pursue her career as a member of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company company.During her tenure with the company she performed in the chorus, understudying most contralto roles. She became a permanent fixture as Inez in "The Gondoliers" (1959 - 1962). During her time with D'Oyly Carte, she played the role of Mrs Partlett in "The Sorcerer" (1973 - 1975). After the closure of the company in 1982, Lloyd-Jones returned to her roots and rejoined Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Her first production back saw her produce "The Sorcerer" and from then on, until her departure from the society in 2003, she remained mostly as a Producer, and also as an occasional actress. Beti Lloyd-Jones died on March 6, 2004. However, her legacy lives on within the society and her voice can still be heard on D'Oyly Carte recordings.
- Patience as Lady Saphir (1961 Recording)
- Grand Duke as Bertha (1976 Recording)
- The Gondoliers as Inez (1977 Recording)
LIST OF PRESIDENTS
Mayor J.S Duckels
Mayor A.G Jamieson Mayor J. Morris Mayor A.E Collins Mayor Frederic Hill Mayor E.H Jackson Mayor George W. Hawkins Mayor Frederic Hill Mr Wilfred Murray Mr Samuel Hodgson Mr John Hill Mrs May Collins Miss Kathleen Stananought Mrs Joan Galliford Mrs Elsie Knight Mr Harold Carefull Mr John Bowen Mrs Marie Shellard Mrs Rosetta Simmons Mr James Whittle |
1951 - 1952
1952 - 1954 1954 - 1955 1955 - 1956 1956 - 1957 1957 - 1958 1958 - 1962 1962 - 1966 1966 - 1972 1972 - 1977 1977 - 1982 1982 - 1989 1989 - 1992 1992 - 1999 1999 - 2004 2004 - 2007 2007 - 2009 2010 - 2012 2012 - 2015 2015 - Present |
LIST OF CHAIRPERSONS
Mr James C. Hepburn
Mr Norman A. Green Mr James C. Hepburn Mr Derek Carrier Mr Wilfred Murray Mr Samuel Hodgson Mr Arthur L. Chapple Mr William Holland Mrs Jill Ledwidge Mrs Elsie Knight Mr Harold Carefull Mr John Bowen Ms Rachel Patterson Mr James Whittle Mr Brian Tubb Mr Rick Walker |
1951 - 1953
1953 - 1956 1956 - 1962 1962 - 1963 1963 - 1966 1966 - 1972 1972 - 1977 1977 - 1983 1983 - 1989 1989 - 1994 1994 - 2002 2002 - 2004 2004 - 2007 2007 - 2014 2014 - 2017 2017 - Present |