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.
ENO to revive the 150h Aniversary co=produciton of Trial by Jury in a double-bill with Sir Arthur Sullivan's The Zoo, with words by Bolton Rowe
Learn MoreD'Oyly Carte Island on July 3rd, 2026
Learn MoreThe Merry Widow, Trial by Jury (150th anniversary production) and A Matter of Misconduct
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