Huddersfield is awash with men who can sing. The many respected male voice choirs in the area are proof of that.

But when it comes to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, it would seem that men are reluctant to be seen and heard on stage.

Elaine Merlin from Huddersfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society says the organisation is in desperate need of “gentlemen for the chorus” and she has a theory as to why they shy away from taking part in the comic operas: “Men are happy to be in a male voice choir, but they don’t like dressing up.”

And yet, Gilbert & Sullivan’s work is both entertaining to watch and to perform. “The librettos are beautifully written, the music is very tuneful and they are so funny,” says Elaine.

Those who are already fans can enjoy an evening of G&S favourites, Christmas carols and more at the society’s Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 13, at Waverley Church, Huddersfield. For those who might be tempted to join the society it’s a chance to sample the G&S Top of the Pops - including songs from The Mikado, The Gondoliers and The Pirates of Penzance, which will be the stage production for 2015. Admission is £8.

The society rehearses weekly at Waverley Hall in Huddersfield and has already cast ‘Pirates’, to be performed in May, but always welcomes new members and is still filling places in the chorus. Its first rehearsal after Christmas will be on Wednesday, January 14, at 7.45pm.

  • Huddersfield Kingsgate shoppers will be entertained by the society tomorrow afternoon from 2pm to 4pm when its members bring a programme of festive carols to the shopping centre.