Gilbert & Sullivan: their topsy-turvey world

20 May 2025

National Library of Australia

ArtsNational Canberra
Lecture Presented by Jamie Hayes
This lecture looks at these two remarkable Victorians and the birth of English comic opera. Their twenty-five-year partnership began in 1871, when the pair were brought together by the remarkably entrepreneurial theatre manager Richard D'Oyly Carte, with whom they collaborated on 14 unique comic operas. Perhaps best known for The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and Iolanthe, Gilbert and Sullivan's satirical brilliance still impresses today. Their success was unprecedented in the history of music theatre and their creativity inspired the likes of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter as well as stimulating the growth of amateur companies.

Jamie graduated through RADA as a Stage Manager and worked for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Bristol Old Vic and the BBC. He became an Assistant Director with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kent Opera and English National Opera and subsequently directed productions in the UK and overseas, including in Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. Jamie was also Director of Productions for British Youth Opera.

• Tues 20 May 6PM

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