Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe follows a band of fairies whose world collides with the British House of Peers when a taboo romance threatens to unravel both realms. At the center is Iolanthe’s half-fairy, half-mortal son, whose political ambitions—and forbidden love for a shepherdess—set off a chain of absurd entanglements between enchanted beings and bewildered lawmakers.

This production is staged by Charles Court Opera, the Off West End Award–winning company known for its inventive interpretations of G&S. It is directed by operetta specialist John Savournin, whose recent credits include The Merry Widow and Trial by Jury for Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, and D’Oyly Carte, as well as CCO’s own Patience.

Featuring some of Arthur Sullivan’s most celebrated music—including “Oh foolish fay,” “If you go in, you’re sure to win,” and the famously virtuosic “Nightmare Song”—this staging highlights the operetta’s blend of satire, fantasy, and political parody.