It's time to stick the candles on the birthday cake and blow up the balloons - Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
That's quite a landmark, is that, and of course the collective are celebrating as you would expect them to - by taking to the stage.
From Tuesday (March 17) the group will be delivering a double bill of G&S goodies - with HMS Pinafore and The Zoo.
The latter is a farcical tale concerning two pairs of lovers - a nobleman who eats himself stupid to woo the girls who runs the refreshment stall at the local zoo, and a young chemist who believes he has poisoned his beloved...
Meantime, on the quarterdeck of HMS Pinafore, Captain Corcoran and his crew await the coming of Sir Joseph Porter, who is going to inspect the ship and marry the Captain's daughter, Josephine.
But there is one small problem...she is planning to elope!
This particular production holds a special place in the hearts of the G&S collective, as it was the first show they ever performed, back in 1975.
Stantonbury Theatre is the hosting venue, and performances are nightly to Saturday (March 21) at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £16, but full time students, senior citizens and children aged 16 and under pay just a fiver.
Book by calling 01908 262250 or click to www.1stnight.co.uk/boxofficephp
> Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society was formed in 1974 by Arnold Jones - he was widely involved in music in the area and also worked as musical director and conductor of Wolverton Light Orchestra.
> The society took to the stage for the first time in May 1975 - the first production was HMS Pinafore
> Only one Gilbert & Sullivan piece has yet to be tackled by the group...watch this space
> During a 1979 production of Trial by Jury, a bomb scare occurred at the climax of the story and the theatre had to be evacuated. Everyone held tight, and the show reconvened half an hour later!
> Clarence Gill and Angela Bowen were both involved in the first G&S production, and both are involved in this celebratory run. Angela is the current president of the society - a role she took on in 2010.
Keep up to speed with the group by visiting www.wolvertongands.co.uk
