The Minack Show needs a prod team!

CUGSS are looking forward to the summer already for our vacation show at the Minack Theatre this September! The contract is signed, the show is selected, and now we need you to join us! Calling all Directors , producers , musical directors  and production managers  to be part of the core production team that will take on this incredibly rewarding show.

Full pack: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qV8wiJhSJsRRGiOy9WZXTUSGyI7E02rvm6ZeaVwHQ_I/edit?usp=sharing

At Cambridge, we are unbelievably lucky to have an established slot at the beautiful Minack theatre in Cornwall. Almost every year for five decades, the CUG&S Society has mounted a production of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas in this unique and breath-taking open-air theatre, carved into the cliffs at Porthcurno. This year our production will be… Iolanthe! A light-hearted and satirical tale where fairies and the House of Lords find themselves embroiled in one of G+S’s most farcical love stories, we will be performing Iolanthe from 14th - 18th September.

We will spend three weeks in the idyllic village of Paul, rehearsing and indulging in the local pub’s fine and extremely large selection of gins. Normally, we stay in the church hall and a few nearby cottages, and we have meals together prepared by our Company Manager(s).

We really believe that this show is one of the best things you can do in Cambridge theatre, and there are roles available for everyone. Most jobs don’t require experience and there are many opportunities to learn new things, have fun, and enjoy Cornwall while also putting on a high-quality show at an internationally-renowned professional theatre. We look forward to hearing from you soon,
To apply, please send a comprehensive application to secretary@gands.org.uk. State the role you would like to apply for, why you are interested, any relative experience and ideas for how you envisage the role. Applicants for Director , Producer  and Musical Director  will need to be available to be in Cornwall from the 28th August- 19th September. There is a company fee to cover food and accommodation, which is normally about £125 (staying in the church hall). Applicants for Production manager  will need to be available to be in Cornwall from the 4-18th September. The company fee for this role is normally around £300 (staying in holiday cottages). However, we don’t believe money should be a barrier to participation, so there are bursaries available for travel and accommodation. If you’re interested in finding out more, please don’t hesitate to drop our secretary an email!

Applications should be sent to secretary@gands.org.uk by 11:59pm on Saturday 10th January

Director 

From both Cambridge to Cornwall, the director  is responsible for the creative vision of the show. It will be their job to lead dramatic rehearsals and can also choose to hold characterisation workshops ahead of the main rehearsal process in Cornwall. Directing a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is a similar challenge to directing an opera or musical.
It is a big task, rehearsing a large cast in an intense, two week rehearsal schedule, for a high budget production. The Minack theatre is an incredible venue with many opportunities and challenges to think beyond the standard theatrical stage. The Minack team have generously offered some workshop time with their inhouse director  to help us make the most of such a unique space.

Producer 

It will be the producer ’s job to coordinate and oversee the whole Company’s stay in Cornwall. They will need to manage life in the church hall for the Cast, Orchestra and Prod team, as well as manage logistics, publicity and a large budget for the production. As it sounds, it’s quite a large scale job, and is more akin to running a tour show than producing a Cambridge show. Paired applications are welcome, but we are also open to individual applications. It sounds daunting, but don’t let that put you off, it is a very rewarding experience and previous productions

Musical Director 

For anyone interested in Opera or Musical Theatre, conducting a Gilbert and Sullivan show at the Minack theatre is a rare and extraordinary opportunity. The Pirates of Penzance, perhaps the best known of the duo’s works, contains some glorious music, and this professional theatre is a unique and challenging space in which to put it on. The Musical Director  will help to audition a cast, fix an orchestra and help run an intense, two-week rehearsal schedule.

Production Manager 

The Production Manager  is responsible for the organisation of the technical aspects of the show. You will need to manage the lighting, sound, set, and stage departments as well as helping to organise accommodation and logistics for the technical members of the team. The Production Manager  works closely with the Producers  and the theatre - you need to be a good communicator with some experience of technical theatre; some experience of producing would be helpful.

Good luck! We look forward to receiving your applications. If you’d like to find out more about Minack, the show or the roles available, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

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Contact secretary@gands.org.uk before 10th Jan 2026 23:59 for more details.