Morpheus Theatre Online
Iolanthe - April 2005 

Iolanthe > > > April 1 - 9, 2005

A Comic Operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan

Gilbert had taken potshots at the aristocracy before, but in this fairy opera, the House of Lords is lampooned as a bastion of the ineffective, privileged and dim-witted. The political party system and other institutions also come in for a dose of satire. Yet, both author and composer managed to couch the criticism among such bouncy, amiable absurdities that it is all received as good fun. Both Gilbert and Sullivan were at the height of their creative powers, and many people feel that Iolanthe (pronounced eye-oh-lan-thee), their seventh work together, is the most perfect of their collaborations.

Strephon, an Arcadian shepherd, wants to marry Phyllis, a ward of the Court of Chancery. Phyllis does not know that Strephon is half fairy -- down to the waist. When Phyllis sees Strephon kissing an apparently young woman, she assumes the worst. But her rival turns out to be none other than Strephon's own mother, Iolanthe, a fairy -- fairies never grow old. But Phyllis guardian, the Lord Chancellor of England, and half the peers in the House of Lords are sighing after her. Soon the peers and the fairies are virtually at war, and long friendships are nearly torn asunder. As in Trial by Jury, the Legal Mind comes up with a clever solution to the problem. And, as you may well guess, thereby hangs a tale.

This cast will require approximately 40 to 50 actors of all ages.

Performances at the Pumphouse Theatre
Check out the Production Calendar
Directions to the Pumphouse
and Ticket Information

Additional Material on Iolanthe can be found at the following links:
Gilbert & Sullivan Archive
Gilbert & Sullivan Archive - Iolanthe
Mel's Gilbert & Sullivan Site

Production Crew

Co-Producer
Co-Producer
Director
Asst Director
Musical Director
Asst Musical Dir
Asst Musical Dir
Choreographer
Orchestra Conductor
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Asst Stage Mgr
Costume Designer
Costume Assistant
Set Builder
Scenic Artist
Properties
Lighting Design

Michelle Brandenburg
Erin Millar
Richard Michelle-Pentelbury
Tim Elliott
Stefanie Holick
Lynda Elliott
Andrea White
Karen Iwanski
Joanne Sampson
Angie Yzerman
Pasqualina Iapaolo
Shawna Salahub
Frank MacLeod
Donna Graham
Bill Brown
Deb Miall
Jennifer Underhill
Nick Schesnuk

updated March 19, 2005
Email: info@morpheustheatre.ca Copyright ©2002-2004 Morpheus Theatre Phone: (403) 246-2999