An introduction to SavoyNet: The world's online Gilbert and Sullivan Community

As Gilbert and Sullivan play a prominent role in any discussion of Victorian music (indeed, we have an entire unit on them centered around Princess Ida), I feel it is important to use an early blog post to introduce everyone to SavoyNet, the very knowledgeable online Gilbert and Sullivan Society.  Anyone interested in joining the group after reading this, please let me know.  It is free to join, and there are some certifiable experts on the G&S shows specifically, and that entire era more generally, who contribute regularly.

SavoyNet is run primarily as an email forum.  The members are all part of a massive Listserv (I believe there are over 700 members world-wide) and threads are created covering myriad topics within the topsy-turvey realm of Gilbert and Sullivan.  Some interesting topics recently covered in threads include a discussion pertaining to the Savoy Theater, both in its original form and its current; a discussion about the views Stephen Sondheim holds about the G&S shows; and one of my personal favorites, a very diverse discourse on an incident that occurred in a production of The Mikado in Montana.  Missoula Children's Theater put on a production of The Mikado in which they observed a common tradition:  in Ko-Ko's 'Little List' song, they inserted current political figures into the intentionally obscure final verse.  I have seen productions that have targeted G.W. Bush, the Governator, and others.  In this particular version, the song included Sarah Palin in a list of those who "never would be missed" should the town's Lord High Executioner be forced to act professionally (anyone who would like a further explanation of this, please ask).  However a letter was written (I am not clear whether to the company itself or published as an editorial in a local paper) that called for an apology at this terrible insult.  Apparently, it was considered highly offensive by this individual that it be suggested that Sarah Palin could be decapitated and that no one would miss her.  The discussion has been very heated on SavoyNet, mostly concerning the fact that this is TRADITION and that Palin is not being singled out for any other reason than that she is an easily recognizable personage.  In the past, it was common to find references to Nixon, or Winston Churchill.  Gilbert intentionally wrote that verse in a vague manner so that references appropriate to the day could be insinuated.  Such political satire was a trait of his writing (and many others of the Victorian era).

Such discussions are common on SavoyNet, and it is very helpful to have many of the world's experts just a listserv message away.  Again, if anyone is interested in joining, please let me know.