Change is in the air for The Hereford Gilbert and Sullivan Society as they prepare for their first operetta with new musical director, Hannah Bowman, who, at 23, is their youngest musical director yet. After 17 years of successfully developing the musical talents of the society, Alan Durman finally passed on the baton last summer leaving the society in great shape with a host of musical awards to its credit. The workshops Alan has undertaken with local schools for the annual school’s matinee performance and the fact that 30 per cent of members are now under 25 proves that Gilbert and Sullivan appeals to all age groups. Thankfully Alan has not retired from his stage work or from the patter songs at which he so excels and we can look forward to a wonderfully fresh and comic Ko-Ko with a transformed ‘Little List’.

The Society is delighted to welcome The Dowager Countess of Darnley, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, as a new Patron.

Once more the seasoned performers of the Society are joined by a throng of young talent. The Mikado contains some of the best G&S music - Three Little Maids from School, A Wandering Minstrel, The Sun Whose Rays and many more. Maddie Phillips (bottom right of the photo) explains why she loves Hereford Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

"From 20-23 March, the Hereford Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be unveiling the very popular Mikado, a show filled with fun, and familiar tunes. The society gained several junior members this September when rehearsals began, and these join a number of familiar faces once again taking to the stage. I began singing with the society as a junior myself, and it has been amazing to learn so many excellent musical techniques and ways to develop my own performance from experienced vocalists - I cannot wait to pursue more with this company as the years go on."

The Mikado is a fun, lively G&S operetta, where Ko-Ko’s bride-to-be, Yum-Yum, is at quite the crossroads – she is in love with Nanki-Poo, but flirting is a crime punishable by death ...

The Mikado runs at The Courtyard from Wednesday, March 20 to Saturday, March 23. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk.

On Wednesday, March 20 there will be a matinee performance for school parties (£5 pp). Interactive workshops are also available, where pupils get to experience an insight into the laughing song and merry dance of the show. Contact Lucy Walden (lucywalden49@gmail.com) for more information.