Performances at 2.30pm & 8pm

A theatrical troupe is planning to overthrow the miserly Grand Duke of a Bavarian town. Hilarity ensues when they find their plot complicated by petty in-fighting, love-triangles and an overconsumption of sausage rolls. Will the actors prevail? This is a rare opportunity to see a professional production of one of Gilbert & Sullivan's lesser known but sublimely hilarious operettas.

Their production of HMS Pinafore is also being performed at The Alma on the same weekend, discounts available for booking both shows*

The Company

Forbear! Theatre is a small group of performers led by Rachel Middle (Director) and Will Remmers (Musical Director). Founded in 2015, the company has been described by Sir Arthur Sullivan Society Magazine as “precise and vivacious”. They regularly perform in London, at Hever Castle, and in Buxton and Harrogate as guest professionals at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. You may recognise some of the cast from their first visit to The Alma last year, in the G&S spoof The Students of Penzance written by local talent Sarah Nash.

Once of their proudest moments was to receive this review from acclaimed film director and G&S aficionado Mike Leigh, in 2018:

“In their hilarious and endlessly inventive production of The Grand Duke, the Forbear! company brings to Gilbert & Sullivan a unique youthful freshness. This, combined with sophisticated wit and impressive theatrical and musical professionalism, not only breathes new life into this neglected show, but in doing so reveals it to be as funny, anarchic and tuneful as any of its more famous siblings, if not more so.”

Discounts

*Once you have purchased tickets for either The Grand Duke (7th Dec) or HMS Pinafore (5th & 6th Dec), your confirmation email will include a discount code for £4 off the alternate production.

All tickets include a £1 admin charge

Approx running time 2 hours 30 (including interval)

All purchases for show at the Alma now have a suggested donation to the theatre and inhouse company of £2.00

You can remove this donation by changing the amount to £0.00, but please do consider offering your generosity to help us continue to offer great theatre at affordable prices.

The Alma Theatre has been serving the community for 25 years and has never been the recipient of ACE or other funding and were unable to secure the Covid Arts Recovery Fund. We have been offering reduced rates, preferential box office splits and extended promo support to aid the recovery from the past year and a half. Your help will enable us to continue bringing fantastic stories to your local theatre. 50% of your donation will go to the Alma Theatre, and 50% to our inhouse company, Schoolhouse Productions.

For our refunds and latecomers policy, please head to the Alma’s Theatre Information page.