ISABEL JAY TROPHY

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Sussex is delighted to announce the re-launch of the Isabel Jay Trophy Award.

Isabel Jay was a lead soprano with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1897 and 1902 and her daughter, Celia, set up this contest in 1961 in honour of her mother to promote the excellence of amateur groups in performing Gilbert and Sullivan. Celia was the Chairperson and Co-President of the Sussex Branch of the G&S Society as it was then known.

Further information about Isabel Jay can be found via the link below taking you to an information sheet. You will also see below a YouTube link taking you to a 45 minute documentary about her life.

The competition will be held on Friday afternoon, 4th July on D’Oyly Carte (Eyot) Island in Weybridge (KT13 8LX), the former home of Richard D’Oyly Carte. The actual times are to be confirmed.

The winning entry, as judged by a panel of experts, will be awarded the sum of £1,000.

Entrants to this competition are expected to present a complete scene that should be at least 10 minutes long but no longer than 15 minutes. If the performance exceeds 15 minutes it will be stopped. The scene should include sufficient dialogue to establish the characters and it should contain at least two people.

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Entries will be accepted from 1st December and the closing date will be 28th February 2025. Should we be in a position where the number of applications exceed the time available to us, applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis, based on when people make their payment.

There is a £20 entry fee for each group participating.

Refunds will be made if any group submits an entry but is then rejected due to the reason shown above.

Click on the links below to download more information about Isabel Jay and for full details and terms and conditions which are found on the entry form.

We hope you enter and good luck!