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Iolanthe
Light Opera

Iolanthe

Thu 27 Feb - Sat 1 Mar, Various Times


Time: Various Times
Price: £8.00 - £15.00

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Coming off the back of their award-winning show Princess Ida, the University of York Gilbert and Sullivan Society now presents Iolanthe!

This classic G&S opera, set for this production in the 1960s, centres around the story of Strephon, child of the banished fairy Iolanthe, who wishes to marry their love Phyllis, but the Lord Chancellor of the House of Lords forbids the marriage!

Will Strephon manage to win the hand of their love, even with the help of the Queen of the Fairies? With a hilarious and heartfelt plot and beautiful and iconic music, this show is fun for all!

Note from the Directors

"Directing Iolanthe has been such an amazing experience. We both have enjoyed taking on directing and choreographing whilst working with such a brilliantly talented cast and crew. 

The idea to set the show in the 1960s was not without its challenges, especially portraying the style into the original setting of the Victorian era. Our inspiration for the show came from the great milestone in LGBTQ+ rights which took place in 1967 - the passing of the ‘Sexual Offences Act’, decriminalising private homosexual acts between men aged over 21.

This inspired us to genderbend the character of Strephon to focus on this idea of growing queer acceptance during this time as well as the challenges surrounding Strephon's & Phyllis queer relationship. Adding to the existing themes of acceptance that were already prevalent in the original production of Iolanthe as both Phyliss and Strephon both come from contrasting social backgrounds and struggle with their own identities. Original productions depicted the House of Lords with a great deal of political satire that we have enjoyed enhancing through alterations to the original libretto. 

Everyone has done so well to help us bring our vision to life, and we hope that everyone loves the show as much as we do!"

​- Mia Wiggins and Abi Lawson

Dates, Prices & Tickets

  • Thu 27 Feb 7:30 PM £8.00 - £15.00
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  • Fri 28 Feb 7:30 PM £8.00 - £15.00
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  • Sat 1 Mar 2:30 PM £8.00 - £15.00
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  • Sat 1 Mar 7:30 PM £8.00 - £15.00
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Special Offer   Group Offer   Special Offer
Book ANY 3 SHOWS together and SAVE 10%   £2-OFF each ticket when you buy 5 or more   Book ANY 3 SHOWS together and SAVE 10%

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