Archives

Iolanthe

or

The Peer and the Peri

Strephon, an Arcadian shepherd, wants to marry Phyllis, a ward to the Court of Chancery, but the Lord Chancellor objects. Strephon, it appears, is half fairy — down to the waist. His mother, Iolanthe, pleads his cause. The fairies intercede, and Strephon find himself elected to Parliament, whereupon he passes a law requiring Parliament members to be elected based on intelligence rather than class. Iolanthe has a very well known overture, and particularly beautiful music throughout.

Iolanthe opened on November 25, 1882, at the Savoy Theatre and ran for 400 performances.

Durham Savoyards Performance History

• May 19-20, 1967, Page Auditorium, Duke University

  Director: Joseph W. Talarowski — Music Director: Paul Bryan

• April 23-24, 1976, Page Auditorium, Duke University

  Director: Randolph Umberger — Music Director: Allan Bone — Producers: Kelly Matherly and John Setzer

• May 15-16 and May 22-23, 1987, Page Auditorium, Duke University

  Director: Randolph Umberger — Music Director: Benjamin Keaton — Producer: Daryll Powell

• April 23-26, 1998, Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC; May 2-3, 1998, Thalian Hall, Wilmington, NC

  Artistic Director: Randolph Umberger — Music Director: Benjamin Keaton — Producer: Patrick Kenan

Previous show: Patience

Return to Performance History

Next show: Princess Ida