Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Trial by Jury, Sorcerer, Ruddigore and Haddon Hall, Meek

The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Trial by Jury, The Sorcerer, Ruddigore and Haddon Hall – tour starts 31 July

The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, which this year celebrates its 25th year as the resident professional company for the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, takes to the road with six new productions.

Ruddigore undergoes a dramatic updating, Trial by Jury plays in double bill with The Sorcerer and Haddon Hall (which has a libretto by Sydney Grundy) has its first professional production for more than 120 years.

The programme is completed by Iolanthe and The Pirates of Penzance.

James Hendry and Andrew Nicklin conduct The National Festival Orchestra.

Different shows are offered at each of Buxton Opera House, The Royal Hall Harrogate, Floral Pavilion New Brighton, The Playhouse Whitley Bay, Orchard Theatre Dartford, Swan Theatre Wycombe, Theatre Royal Norwich, Malvern Theatre and Darlington Hippodrome.

Meek – tour starts 31 July

Penelope Skinner’s mysterious new play Meek looks at a society where private lives become political and freedom of expression is not an option under ruthless authoritarianism. This is one woman’s determination not to be broken by the system.

Headlong associate director Amy Hodge directs a cast made up of Scarlett Brookes, Shvorne Marks and Amanda Wright. Composition is by Melanie Wilson.

Meek is produced by Headlong in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Meek visits Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Unity Theatre Liverpool and Lowry Theatre Salford.

Check web sites for information regarding post–show Q&As, captioned, signed and relaxed performances, and age suitability. At the time of going to press, some dates may not yet be on sale.