Harrogate's International Gilbert & Sullivan Fest cancelled and whole future at risk

Battle to save a great festival - The late Ian Smith with his son Neil and wife Janet, organisers of the massively successful International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate which is now under threat.

After moving to Harrogate for the first time in 2014, the festival has built on it popularity and global stature each August with nearly two weeks of shows based mainly at the Royal Hall.

But today organisers of the event, which receives no public grants, took the sad decision to cancel this year's festival - and they are now fearful for its very future.

Organisers are urgently calling on G&S fans to become 'festival heroes' and help sustain the festival with a package of support and, in return, future rewards.

The official statement from organisers said:

We have fought many battles during our 27 years of staging the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival and although we have been bloodied on many occasions, we have always emerged unbowed and ready to fight another year.

But sadly, we must announce that our invisible enemy COVID-19 has defeated us. We are devastated and saddened. It is particularly poignant that the first G&S Festival following Ian Smith’s passing last year will be the first to be cancelled in our history.

We were determined to make Ian’s final programme the very best Festival ever, dedicated to his memory.

So, cancel the Festival in Buxton and Harrogate we must. Our main concern is the safety of our audiences, our performers, orchestra members, staff and volunteers. We just cannot risk putting anyone in danger, and we have no idea what the coming months are going to bring.

The decision is now out of our hands. It was announced on April 3rd that the Harrogate International Centre would become one of the Nightingale Hospitals opening later in the month.

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Harrogate's International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival: A difficult future, say organisers

The Festival has survived for 26 years without any Arts Council or other public funding.

We have worked tirelessly to keep the Festival alive through recessions, depressions and disputes.

It is becoming increasingly likely that we will not be able to access the Arts Council emergency fund because we have never had funding from them before.

We are going to appeal and we are also exploring each and every avenue to get us through this difficult period.

We promise we will not give up! Our campaign is just beginning and we will make sure you know exactly how we are doing and what we achieve at each and every step.

Appeal by organisers - how the public can help support Harrogate's International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

If the Festival is going to continue into 2021 and beyond, we need you to help us like never before.

The Festival receives NO PUBLIC FUNDING and relies on ticket sales and donations from the “Friends of the Festival” Charity to survive.

We have no large reserves to call on to cover the 2020 losses, so we are asking for your help to sustain this unique event.

If you have booked tickets to the Festival, you can complete the online form or email [email protected] and advise us how you would like us to treat your ticket money.

Please include your Full Name, Address and Ticket Order Number in any email correspondence.

You could also become a Friend of the Association or join our Festival Lottery, with all proceeds going to support the Festival.

To get involved, visit www.https://www.gsfestivals.org

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