Gilbert & Sullivan Gala

' A Rollicking Romp' For nearly 150 years, Gilbert and Sullivan have pervasively influenced popular culture in the English-speaking world and lines and quotations from their operas have become part of the English language (even if not originated by Gilbert), such as "short, sharp shock", "What never? Well, hardly ever!", "let the punishment fit the crime", and "A policeman's lot is not a happy one". The operas have influenced political style and discourse, literature, film and television, have been widely parodied by humorists, and have been quoted in legal rulings. If you are not familiar with their deadly combination of brilliant wit coupled with memorable, often beautiful music, then sit back and be entertained like never before. For G&S lovers, it will be like meeting old friends. Opera South East are based in Hastings and have a mission to introduce light opera, grand opera and everything in between to local residents. New members are always welcome, with no membership fee for under 16's or full-time students. We meet on Sunday afternoon in St Leonards. Please phone John Rycroft (07931 335073) for further details or email membership@operasoutheast.org.uk.