HMS Pinafore Opera at Stansted Park 

Saturday 1st July 

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It has been necessary to relocate the Opera Picnic Concert from the Front of the House to the Walled Gardens this year providing a unique and intimate setting for this special event. There will still be plenty of space to enjoy your picnics. Please park in the Main Car Park.

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Come along for a splendid evening at Stansted Park and enjoy a performance by Opera Anywhere of Gilbert & Sullivan’s magical masterpiece – HMS Pinafore.

 

This is a tale of mismatched love across different social classes. Josephine is the captain’s daughter and has fallen for lowly sailor Ralph. Yet her father has other ideas – he has promised her to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. Will love prevail? Climb aboard to find out and enjoy a feast of fun along the way. Hip hip hooray!

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Company Artistic Director: Vanessa Woodward
Producer and General Manager: Mike Woodward
Production Director: Tristan Stocks
Musical Director: Nia Williams
Technical and Lighting Director: John Alcock
Woodwind: Nick Planas

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Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic supper to enjoy whilst watching the performance. Low backed chairs are recommended as there may be seating over some graveled areas. There will be food and drink concessions available at Stansted Park on the evening of the concert too.

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Gates open at 5pm; Sam Griffiths will open the evening at 6pm; HMS Pinafore will begin at 7pm finishing at approximately 9.15pm. There will be an interval.

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FAQS for Bel Events

 

Q. What is the price of the tickets?
A: Please visit the individual event pages for pricing and ticket information.

 

Q. How are tickets delivered?
A. Secure barcoded e-tickets are delivered immediately by e-mail for you to print at home or just save them to your smartphone/tablet to be scanned on screen. Please enter your enter your e-mail address carefully when booking.

 

Q. Where can I purchase tickets?
A. Tickets are only available via our official website.

 

Q. What time do the gates open?
A. Gates open at 5pm.

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Q. What time does the performance start and finish?

A. The show will start at 7.30pm and finish at approximately 9.15pm.

 

Q. Is parking included in the ticket price? 
A. Yes, there is plenty of free parking, including disabled parking, provided on each site but there is no overnight parking.

 

Q. Can I bring a gazebo and is there a charge? 
A. No sorry due to limited available space around the perimeter of the concert arena.

 

Q. Is there disabled car parking available? 
A. Yes, the car park / area of the car park nearest to the concert site is reserved for disabled parking. Please simply follow the disabled parking signs on the day and ensure that your Blue Badge is clearly displayed in your windscreen.

 

Q. I am booking my tickets last minute – will they get to me in time? 
A. Yes, but please note that purchasing last minute is strictly subject to availability. E-tickets are sent immediately to your inbox upon purchase, online tickets are available at any time until the concert starts. You must have access to your e-mails and be able to print your tickets and bring them with you, or download them to a mobile device for on-screen verification.

 

Q. Can I show my ticket on my smartphone/tablet rather than printing it out?
A. Yes, as long as you are able to fully download and save the ticket to the device, and open it on the screen, the scanners will be able to verify it. Please ensure that you have downloaded the document before you arrive on site, as we cannot guarantee enough coverage to do so once you arrive.

 

Q. Is there an Info Point / Enquiries desk on site? 
A. Yes, the Info Point is located in the main Concert tent at the rear of the site. Please see staff there if you have any issues or queries on the day.

 

Q. Is the event suitable for children?
A. Yes, the concerts are the perfect way to introduce children to live theatre in a fun, informal setting. Children love the picnic style of the event. As a guideline, we would advise a ratio of one supervising adult to three children under 16, and children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Blank wristbands are available at the Concert Tent – please feel free to take one, write your mobile phone number on it (no names) and secure it to your child’s wrist. In the event that your child is lost, this assists us in reuniting you.

 

Q. Can I come by taxi, or arrange for someone to drop me off and pick me up? 
A. You are very welcome to arrive and depart by taxi and there are clearly signposted drop-off and pick-up points for taxis on site at each venue. The car-parking stewards will direct taxis to these demarcated areas. Please request that your driver returns to the taxi pick-up point by 15 minutes prior to the concert’s scheduled finish time in order to prevent them being held up by exiting traffic. Detailed taxi instructions will be published on the website shortly before each concert. These instructions should be followed by anyone who is dropping off or picking up (not just registered taxis.)

 

Q. Can I arrive on foot? 
A. The venues are not suitable for pedestrian access.

 

Q. I am looking to bring a large party; can we arrive by coach?
A. Coach parking is strictly limited. If you are thinking about bringing a coach, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

 

Q. Where is the best position to see everything on-site? 
A. All members of the audience will be able to see the stage from any position onsite. Although you will be able to hear the concert clearly within the audience arena, for the best sound please stay inside central area.

 

Q. Where do I eat my picnic and at what time? 
A. Feel free to make a picnic area for yourselves onsite where you can make a base for your group. People eat their picnic at any time throughout the evening.

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Q. Is there food and drink available onsite?
A. Some refreshments will be available to purchase from our vendors, including a bar, tea and coffee, and a selection of hot & cold delicious food offerings.

 

Q. Can I bring my own BBQ or camping stove? 
A. Unfortunately due to fire and safety regulations we do not allow this or any naked flames onsite.

 

Q. Can I go back and forth to the car park throughout the evening? 
A. Yes. You will be given a pass-out stamp when you leave the auditorium to enable you to get back in. Some people choose the interval as a good time to take their picnic paraphernalia back to their vehicles.

 

Q. Are the house and grounds open to visitors during the day? 
A. Entrance to the venues house and grounds is not included in the price. For information on the house and grounds opening times and prices please contact the individual venues.

 

Q. Is there a dress code? 
A. There is no prescribed dress code. Most people choose to dress in practical clothing but some take the opportunity to go a bit more glamorous! Most of all come prepared for the unpredictable British weather!

 

Q. Can I smoke at the concert?
A. As the event is completely open air, there are no legal restrictions on smoking, with the exception of marquee structures. However, we would encourage you to consider your fellow concertgoers before lighting up, and dispose of cigarette ends with care.

 

Q. Is the concert dependent on good weather? 
A. No, the concert will go ahead in inclement weather.

 

Q. What would you recommend bringing, and are there any prohibited items? 

A. Please do bring your own seating, picnic, and drinks. We recommend bringing appropriate clothing for the weather and warm clothes even in good weather, as it is noticeably cooler after dark. The concert area and car parks are well lit, but it can be useful to bring a torch to help pack up your things and find your car. You are welcome to bring alcohol, glasses, cutlery etc. Knives permitted on site will be limited to domestic knives 5 inches or under and folding knifes with a 3-inch blade or under.
The following are not permitted on site: flame torches, sky lanterns, bbqs, stoves, any naked flames, sound recording equipment. Dogs are NOT permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs). Please do not leave your dog/s in your car.

 

Q. I am buying tickets under my details but intend to give them to somebody as a gift – will this be ok? 
A. Yes! This is no problem, but please note that your name will appear on the tickets.

 

Q. If the concert I am buying tickets for is cancelled, will I get a refund? 
A. Yes! In the event that the concert is cancelled, you will be entitled to a full refund.