Description

Date: 2000

Theatre: The Savoy Theatre

Performance: The Mikado

Main Actors: The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company

This vibrant theatre programme is for the performance The Mikado performed by The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 2000 at the Savoy Theatre. The cast list is presented across pages 18 and 19; page 20 to 26 hold brief career biographies of the extensive cast. There is a fascinating four-page article on the history of Gilbert and Sullivan and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Pages 12 and 13 hold an article entitled The Mikado and contain Japanese illustrations and black and white photos. The programme contains several interesting advertisements with illustrations and colour photographs.

The Savoy Theatre is featured with the history of the theatre accompanied by a beautiful photo of the breath-taking architecture of the rebuilt auditorium, and a black and white photograph of some fire damage.

The Mikado is a popular comic opera, written by Gilbert & Sullivan and first performed in London in 1885. Gilbert & Sullivan were a prolific and successful two-man team who created fourteen comic operas together over a period of around 25 years. William S. Gilbert, born in London, (1836-1911) was a successful lyricist, poet and illustrator. Arthur S. Sullivan was the composer, also born in London, (1842-1900), the son of a military band master.

The Savoy Theatre was built to showcase Gilbert and Sullivan operas, of which eventually became known as Savoy Operas. The Savoy Theatre was built by Richard D’Oyly Carte in 1881 and is situated in the Strand, London. It was the first public building built with electricity. The theatre also lays claim to showcasing the premiere of Blithe Spirit by playwright Noel Coward and Oscar Wild’s Salome. The theatre still stands and is now classified as Grade II listed and houses regular stage performances.

The programme is made up of 36 pages including front and back cover pages. Approx. H 30 cm x W 21cm