From The Times Saturday, Monday, September 24, 1883.

THE THEATRES
(excerpt)

The popularity of comic opera is strikingly attested by the fact that both Iolanthe at the Savoy and Rip Van Winkle at the Comedy attained on Saturday night their 300th representation. At the former theatre the occasion was marked by the presentation of a bouquet to every lady in the audience. The cast of Iolanthe, notwithstanding the length of the run, has remained unchanged from the first, except that Miss Julia Gwynne has taken the place of Miss Fortescue, who has retired from the stage, and that the fairies are temporarily led by Miss Carlingford, instead of Miss Barnett.

It is understood that Iolanthe will shortly be replaced by a new opera by Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan, entitled The Princess, with a personnel of “girl graduates” and sighing cavaliers.

Friday, October 5, 1883.

“IOLANTHE” AT THE SAVOY THEATRE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir, – Paragraphs have appeared in various journals which have given rise to a report that the opera, Iolanthe, is about to be withdrawn immediately, and that a new opera is now in rehearsal. Will you allow me to explain that this is not the case? It is correct that Mr. W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan are writing a new opera which will be produced when required; but nothing is as yet decided as to the date of production, Iolanthe will not be withdrawn from the Savoy until the receipts diminish so as to make it desirable to change the programme.

Archive Home  |  Iolanthe