Gordon G. Gutteridge, the Artistic Director, Emeritus of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, passed away on January 19th, 2002. He was 86.
Gutteridge started performing with the Society in 1955, one year after it was founded, and in the ensuing 43 years, not only performed, but directed, designed costumes, designed and built sets, and as often as not, "polished up the handle of the big front door." He became the Society's artistic director in 1962 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1996. He produced all thirteen of the existing comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (many of them several times), the forerunners of today's musical theater.
Gutteridge was born in London, England, and attained the rank of Sergeant Major in the British Army, serving in such far away places as Burma and Egypt. He retired for the first time after World War II, and decided to move to Seattle where he began a second career as an electrical contractor. He became involved with Gilbert and Sullivan after meeting the founder of the Seattle Society through his church choir.
Part of the lore of the Seattle G&S Society is that in 1961, Gutteridge was involved in the construction of the Seattle Center Playhouse (now the Intiman Theatre) for the Seattle World's Fair. As he was leaving work one evening, he noticed an announcement that the theater would be available to community theater groups. He signed the Society up for a two-week summer run, even though the rent was over $200 and there was only $21.88 in cash on hand. Gutteridge loaned the Society the difference saying, "we've got to get out of Junior High School auditoriums."
Gutteridge built the company that became known for a quality of musical and dramatic production that few amateur companies ever achieve. Reviewers called Gutteridge a "resident treasure-trove of wily stagecraft and keeper of the Savoyard secrets" as well as a "regional treasure." As a performer, he demonstrated a mastery of timing and wit. As a director, he captured both tradition and innovation. As a producer, he filled many roles from designing and building sets to recruiting and nurturing a growing troupe of amateurs who gave professional quality performances.
With the help of his wife Marianne, Gordon brought the Society from its early days of church basement rehearsals and Jr. High venues to its unique position where today the Society shares the Main Stage with the Seattle Repertory Theatre at the Bagley Wright. The Society is considered one of the top producers of Gilbert and Sullivan shows, videos and cassette tapes in America. Together, Gordon and Marianne brought endless ideas, energy and talent to these G&S musicals and have helped preserve this form of family entertainment for future generations.
Gutteridge's last stage role, in Patience, was in 1980. The final show he directed was the nautical classic HMS Pinafore in 1996. It played to sold out audiences for thirteen performances at the Bagley Wright in Seattle and then went, by invitation, to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England, where it won several prestigious awards in competition with top American and British amateur companies. He also performed with the Seattle Rep, the Bathhouse and other local theater companies.
Gordon Gutteridge is survived by his wife of 32 years, Marianne Gutteridge, and by his three stepchildren: Pamela, David and Douglas Luft.
Remembrances may be made by tax deductible donations to the Gordon G. Gutteridge Endowment Fund administered by the Board of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society,
522 Dexter Avenue North,
Seattle, WA 98109. This fund is earmarked for continuance of the excellence in Stage Direction of the comic operas that Gordon loved so dearly
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