I am full of admiration. Beautifully staged with lovely sets and costumes. The musical standards were very high with excellent singing.

The whole performance sailed along with that light touch so essential to Gilbert's subtle humour. And for me it was a special pleasure to have restored some of the author's long lost lines, particularly the full finale to Act 2. Even the surprising choice of Jo Brand as the Sergeant came off, as a result of her mischievous personality and the clever way in which both she and the producer handled this unconventional piece of casting.

Yours faithfully,

Tony Gower, Isle of Wight

As you can se from my original letter to Mrs Jowell, the Carl Rosa Opera Company is Britain’s oldest opera company and is particularly noted for its excellent performances of Gilbert and Sullivan as well as many other opera favourites. The Company tours around the United Kingdom and also performs concerts abroad but to maintain these high standards costs a great deal of money and the Company has to rely on private donations and fund raising for financial support. It does not enjoy any Government funding.

The Carl Rosa Opera Company gives a great deal of pleasure to so many people but I would be seriously concerned for its long-term financial security. I am very keen that this Company should be considered for substantial and realistic financial Government support and I do ask you to give this request serious consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Name Withheld