Sir Despard Murgatroyd is a man under pressure.

As baronet, he has inherited not just the family title but a witch’s curse forcing him to commit a crime a day or die in agony.

So it’s a huge relief when shy Robin Oakapple is revealed as his long-lost elder brother – true inheritor of the curse. Well, it might be to Sir Despard.

Fun and games then and lots of great tunes in what else but Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedy opera, Ruddigore.

It’s the latest offering from Meltham Parish Church Gilbert and Sullivan Society and it opens at the church hall on November 19.

There will be evening performances at 7.30pm running through until November 23 and the hard-working cast will also be doing a Saturday matinee on that final day at 2.15pm.

The show will have a real celebratory air about it as it is one of the events marking the society’s 50th anniversary which fell earlier this year.

And hopefully there will be particular cheers for Denis Armstrong and David Earnshaw still performing in the company which they joined for its very first production (HMS Pinafore) half a century ago.

Doubtless it won’t feel anything like 50 years for these two veteran performers who like so many other past and present members of the company have given the area many top notch shows over the years.

The society is delighted to welcome a new producer and a couple of new actors to their ranks for this show.

James Newby is producing the production, his first for Meltham.

He’s been working with the established musical team of John Schofield (musical director), Corinne Lord (accompanist) and Ian Greenhalgh (deputy accompanist and choral master) who have all been in their respective roles for a decade.

A trio of new faces can be found among the principal performers. They are soprano Maggie Lowe as Rose, Leon Waksberg as Richard and Bobby Greatorix as Robin.

Tickets for the show from the Flower Box in Meltham or on 01484 349037 or 01484 349420.