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Knaphill & St. Johns Operatic Group Light Opera for Woking |
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A romantic scene from our 2011 production of “Pirates”
This version of the Pirates of Penzance, first performed in 2009, was described by NODA as a “real treat”. Both the score and the story have been revamped from the original.
In this version, the story is set on a small island in the Caribbean, to which the infamous Pirates of Penzance have been deported for their misdemeanours in Cornwall.
One moonlit night, the Pirates escape from custody and chance upon a bevy of young beauties frolicking on the beach. The Pirates discover, to their delight, that their arch enemy Major General Stanley has been posted as Governor to the island, and that the beautiful girls are his daughters.
The Major General is the very man who, as Magistrate of Penzance, was responsible for the capture and deportation of the Pirates. Of course, they are out for vengeance! and, as in all Gilbert and Sullivan operas, there are sub plots: mistaken instructions, unrequited love, young love; and satire which ridicules the aristocracy and nobility of the time.
This was a rip-roaring version of “Pirates” where the music was brilliantly set to the rhythms of calypso, samba and jazz.
And here are some of us in "Pinafore" in 2010:
Tremendous fun to perform!
Our 2006 show at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre
This was the “black-and-white” production of the Mikado, which was enhanced not only by the presence of the Susan Robinson School of Ballet, but also by some politically-slanted updates to the libretto. These would probably have been as deeply appreciated by W.S.Gilbert himself as they were by our audiences!
You can click on the photo to see a bigger version of it (opens in a new window)
And here is what Gloria Smith, the NODA Regional Representative, had to say! (PDF; opens in a new window)
We're especially proud of this!
KASJOG history and complete list of main productions
KASJOG was originally formed as an Adult Education evening class at the Winston Churchill School in St Johns, Woking, as long ago as 1969. The intention then was that Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were to be performed annually at the school. However, in due course, KASJOG became independent of Adult Education and registered as a Charity.
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The Winston Churchill School (1969-1993) |
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1969 Trial by Jury |
1982 The Gondoliers |
In 1994, KASJOG's annual main production moved to the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking. We decided to alternate G & S with other operettas, starting with “The Merry Widow”, by Franz Lehar.
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The Rhoda McGaw Theatre (1994-2009) |
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1994 The Gondoliers |
2002 Princess Ida |
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The Rhoda McGaw Theatre (2010 onwards) |
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2010 HMS Pinafore |
2011 The Pirates of Penzance (Caribbean) |