Where are we?
Based in the beautiful village of Hornby—nestled in the scenic Lunesdale area of Lancashire, just a few miles northeast of Lancaster and Carnforth (and not to be confused with the Hornby in Yorkshire!) — our membership has grown wonderfully over the decades.
While we remain deeply rooted in our local village community, the society has been greatly enriched in recent years by a broad, talented network of performers travelling from Morecambe, Lancaster, Carnforth and up into Kendal. This blend of regional talent and dedicated craftsmanship allows us to frequently play to full houses, keeping Gilbert & Sullivan alive in the heart of the Lune Valley.
Who are we?
Formed in 1982 by Pamela Garnett to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hornby Village Institute, the Hornby Occasionals began with a single, award-winning performance of Trial by Jury. While our name originally reflected an intention to perform only ‘occasionally,’ the group has flourished for over forty years, producing a brilliantly received production every spring and exploring the entire Gilbert and Sullivan canon many times over. Today, we pride ourselves on stamping our own unique personality and creative flair onto these classic operettas.
Our productions are a true community effort, featuring beautiful costumes, outstanding scenery and detailed stage properties often handcrafted by our own multi-talented members, and supported by the magnificent sound of a sizeable live orchestra.
Why Gilbert and Sullivan?
At first glance, Victorian comic operetta might seem like a relic of the past, but the works of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan are actually the DNA of modern musical theatre. Before Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera or Les Misérables, there was the biting political satire, the absurdly comedic situations, and the dazzling, fast-paced lyrics of this iconic duo. We perform Gilbert and Sullivan because their shows are, at their core, pure theatrical joy. They offer a rare combination of glorious, multi-part choral music and sharp, witty storytelling that allows every generation of performers to reinvent them.
Our committee
CHAIR
Joanne Tolson
SECRETARY
Tracey Williams
TREASURER
Ross Brevitt
