Iolanthe premiered in 1882 and is generally regarded as an example of the best writing of Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. But such acceptance becomes a little more difficult today, despite our continuing fascination with superheroes or hobbits. There was much to enjoy about this production, however, as the music generally shone throughout, despite the occasional lapse of energy. The production showcased Iolanthe's gentle lampooning of the political systems of the late 19th century and director John Goddard allowed the occasional contemporary touch with selfies or a reference to present day American politics. But it would have benefited by including more such episodes to engage with today's regular theatre-going audiences, thereby allowing Gilbert and Sullivan to find new followers in the 21st century.

Source: Stuff July 25, 2017 02:37 UTC