Like many productions at that theatre, it was written in a broad, burlesque style, considerably different from their later works. It was a success for a Christmas entertainment of the time and closed on 8 March 1872, after a run of 63 performances.
The libretto remains extant but the majority of the music has been lost. Sullivan re-used one of the choruses, which became ‘Climbing over rocky mountain in The Pirates of Penzance, and ‘Little Maid of Arcadee’ became popular as a Victorian parlour song.
Various attempts have been made to stage the piece over the years – often using Sullivan’s music from his other works.
In 2025, we will collaborate with Scottish Opera for a fourth time. We are co-producing a brand new production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár and, to celebrate our sesquicentennial, a new production of Trial by Jury.
Learn MoreWatch our latest co-production with Scottish Opera on Opera Vision.
Learn MoreSONOSPHERE ANNOUNCES LIVE STREAM FROM D’OYLY CARTE ISLAND IN DOLBY ATMOS.
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