Buxton's annual international Gilbert and Sullivan Festival - this is the fifth - goes from strength to strength, and last night the irrepressible Mr Smith announced that next year they plan to take the productions on tour, even though they are still unsponsored.
This festival, bringing to Buxton enthusiasts of all ages from as away as the USA, has seen sell-out productions by the newly formed, all-professional Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company.
It may be a new company, with a fine young 24-strong chorus, but it benefits hugely from having a strong core of old D'Oyly Carte pros, the likes of star performer Eric Roberts, the absolute master of comic character, Gareth Jones, Michael Rayner, Valerie Masterson and Gillian Knight, and in Rebecca Knight they have a real star of the younger generation.
Productions of Iolanthe and The Mikado were given four lively performances over the weekend. Derek Collins, an experienced director with a sure feel and an eye for comedy, went for traditional style, with all the basics right - well drilled, well sung, beautifully dressed, with budget sets, nothing too fancy. The theatre was alive with real pleasure. Iolanthe, where the faires (the ones with wings) take over the House of Lords, is more topical - and more comic - than ever, with reform of the upper house so much in the news.
Eric Roberts' Lord Chancellor was a joy and Rebecca Knight sparkled as Phyllis, the pretty sherherdess desired by rival peers.
The Mikado, with 1885 designer costumes, was a triumph, with outstanding performances again by Eric Roberts as Ko-Ko (Tit Willow could hardly have been sung more affectively), Gareth Jones as a wittily multi-dialect Pooh-Bah, Valerie Masterson as Yum-Yum and Rebecca Knight as Pitti-Sing.
The company was splendidly supported by a full orchestra, spiritedly conducted by David Steadman.
Now, Ian Smith goes on to round off this festival by running it into another - the Second international festival of musical theatre, with a dozen productions of musicals, from Salad Days to Guys and Dolls.
When it's all over, at the end of the month, there will have been 42 shows in all