Burnley farewell show raises £3,000 to Help the Heroes
1:34pm Tuesday 1st March 2011 in Stage
By Anna Mansell, Features writer
FLASHBACK The G&S company in final rehearsals
A farewell concert by an East Lancashire light opera company has raised £3,000 for the forces charity, Help for Heroes.
Burnley and Pendle Gilbert and Sullivan Theatre Company celebrated its 40th anniversary, at Burnley Mechanics on February 4, with a gala concert featuring favourites from 12 G&S operettas.
Company spokesman Rod Crocker said: “We went out in a blaze of glory.
"We had a cast of 50, with some singers coming out of retirement to prove that brilliance never tarnishes.
“We were delighted to give all the proceeds to a charity which helps servicemen and their families in East Lancashire.”
North West representative of Help for Heroes, Arthur Rowe, attended the concert.
He said: “This was a magnificent effort from dozens of singers who gave their all for a worthy cause.”
Burnley and Pendle G&S has been forced to close, having had to cancel two productions due to a lack of chorus members, and falling audience numbers at a time when costs have been increasing.
An extraordinary general meeting will be held on April 5.
The company’s first production, in 1971, was The Mikado.
Heretical says...
3:11pm Tue 1 Mar 11
It's sad you've had to stop but 'well done' all of you and I'm including the people behind the scenes that no one ever sees!