Iolanthe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iolanthe
Original programme, 1882
Written by	W. S. Gilbert (words) Arthur Sullivan (music)
Characters	Iolanthe Strephon Phyllis Fairy Queen
Date of premiere	25 November 1882
Place of premiere	Savoy Theatre London, England
Original language	English
Subject	Parliament Fairy lore
Genre	Operetta
Setting	England in the late 19th century

Iolanthe, also known as The Peer and the Peri, is a fun and famous operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan. An operetta is like a small opera with singing, acting, and spoken lines. It often has a funny story. This show was the seventh one created by the amazing team of W. S. Gilbert (who wrote the words) and Arthur Sullivan (who wrote the music).

Iolanthe first opened at the Savoy Theatre in London on November 25, 1882. It was a big hit and played for 398 performances. This operetta was special because it was the very first one to open at the Savoy Theatre, which was built just for Gilbert and Sullivan's shows. The story is about a group of magical fairies who get into a funny conflict with the House of Peers. This is a part of the British government. The show cleverly makes fun of many parts of British politics and law.

What is Iolanthe About?

Iolanthe tells a magical story where two very different worlds meet. One world is full of immortal fairies. The other world is the serious, old-fashioned House of Lords, also called the House of Peers. The story is a mix of fantasy and comedy.

The Fairy World

The operetta begins in a magical fairy land. We meet Iolanthe, a fairy who was banished 25 years ago. She married a mortal man, which was against fairy law. Her son, Strephon, is half-fairy and half-mortal. He is a shepherd who wants to marry Phyllis. Phyllis is a beautiful ward of the Court of Chancery.

Fairies Meet Peers

The Fairy Queen forgives Iolanthe. But then, things get complicated. Strephon wants to marry Phyllis, but she thinks he is cheating on her. This is because she sees him talking to Iolanthe, who looks very young. Phyllis does not know Iolanthe is Strephon's mother. The fairies decide to help Strephon. They send him to Parliament.

A Fairy in Parliament

Strephon becomes a Member of Parliament (MP). The fairies use their magic to make all the members of the House of Peers vote for Strephon. This causes a lot of funny chaos. The fairies even try to marry some of the Peers. This makes the Fairy Queen very angry.

Making Fun of Society

Gilbert and Sullivan were known for their clever humor. They often used their operettas to poke fun at different parts of British society. In Iolanthe, they especially target the British government.

The House of Peers

The House of Peers (or House of Lords) is a very old part of the British Parliament. In Gilbert's time, many members inherited their titles. They were not always chosen for their skills. The operetta makes fun of how some Peers might not be very smart or hardworking. It shows them as a bit silly and stuck in their ways.

British Law and Politics

The show also jokes about the legal system and politics. For example, Phyllis is a ward of the Court of Chancery. This court was known for being very slow and complicated. Gilbert often used humor to highlight things he thought were unfair or ridiculous in society.

Why Iolanthe is Special

Iolanthe is loved for its beautiful music and witty words. Sullivan's music is enchanting, especially the fairy choruses. Gilbert's lyrics are full of clever rhymes and funny situations. The show is still performed often today. It reminds us that even serious topics like government can be laughed at. It's a timeless story about love, magic, and human silliness.

Images for kids

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  Piano transcriptions, 1887

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  Programme from 1883 during the original run

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  "She kisses just like other people!"

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  Jessie Bond as Iolanthe

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  "In friendship's name!"

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  Barnett as The Fairy Queen

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  Capt. Eyre Massey Shaw

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  Darrell Fancourt as Lord Mountararat

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  Poster by H. M. Brock for the 1882 touring production