The Yeomen Of The Guard

29 October 2025 - 1 November 2025

The award-winning Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society are proud to present THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD or The Merry Man and his Maid.

16th Century England. Phoebe, the daughter of Sergeant Meryll of the Tower of London Warders, is pining for the love of a celebrity prisoner, the dashing Colonel Fairfax. But Fairfax has been falsely accused of sorcery, and is due to be executed, while Phoebe is being ardently pursued by the Tower’s Assistant Tormentor, the unprepossessing Wilfred Shadbolt. Meanwhile, Sergeant Meryll is desperately trying to avoid the unwanted attentions of Dame Carruthers, the Tower’s housekeeper.

On the day of Fairfax’s appointed execution, strolling players Jack Point, a jester, and Elsie Maynard, a street singer, arrive at the Tower. Jack and Elsie, Phoebe and Wilfred are all soon drawn into a series of plots involving the condemned Fairfax. There follows a tangled tale of intrigue, deception and unrequited love, played out beneath the forbidding stone walls of the famous prison fortress. The story will end with happiness for some, but, for one in particular, a broken heart.

The Yeomen of the Guard, written at the height of the pair’s fame, is widely regarded as Gilbert and Sullivan’s masterpiece. Gilbert took his comic inventions to a different, more touching human level, and Sullivan’s gloriously melodic score ranges from the stirring March of the Tower Warders to the plaintiff ballad, I Have A Song To Sing, O.

Ipswich G&S Website: https://www.ipswichgands.co.uk/

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Here at the Seckford Theatre, we are proud to host a wide and vibrant variety of productions and events that celebrate creativity, talent, and community spirit. Our venue regularly features an exciting mix of performances, including powerful theatre productions, energetic dance shows, like this Gilbert and Sullivan Show, uplifting music concerts, laugh-out-loud comedy nights, thought-provoking lectures, stylish fashion shows, and inspiring poetry festivals. As part of Woodbridge School and supported by the Seckford Foundation, the Seckford Theatre is deeply committed to serving the local community. We provide a professional and welcoming space for performers of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to everyone. Our focus is not only on high-quality performances but also on nurturing local talent and encouraging participation in the arts. Whether you’re attending a school production, a touring performance, or a local arts festival, the Seckford Theatre offers a memorable and enriching experience for audiences and artists alike.

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