The Yeomen of the Guard

The Yeomen of the Guard, or The Merryman and His Maid, opened October 3, 1888, at the Savoy Theatre. The darkest of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Yeomen ends with a brokenhearted main character and at least two reluctant engagements, rather than the usual armful of marriages. It was Gilbert and Sullivan’s 11th collaboration, and the nearest they came to creating a ‘Grand Opera’. Sullivan was delighted with Gilbert’s plot, writing in his diary: No topsy-turveydom, very human, and funny also. Gilbert’s “pointed” satire and punning one-liners abound, and many believe that the score is Sullivan’s finest. Indeed, Yeomen is enjoyed particularly because of its ever-changing emotional balance of joy and despair, love and sacrifice. The Society presents one of the most lyrical, memorable pieces of Gilbert and Sullivan Opera in the repertoire under the direction of Barry Hill. Come to a night of laughter, tears and total enjoyment! (Matinee on Saturday at 2pm)