Welcome to the 2008 production of Iolanthe

Synopsis

Fairy revels are not what they were’ because Iolanthe has been banished by the Fairy Queen for marrying a mortal 25 years ago. On appeal by the fairies Iolanthe is reprieved and explains that she lived in a stream to be near her son, Strephon, who is half fairy and half mortal. Strephon is in love with Phyllis, a Ward of Court, and who requires the Lord Chancellor’s permission to marry. With the arrival of the Peers from the House of Lords and the Chancellor himself, he reveals that he too wishes to marry her.

Much tooing and froing takes place, Phyllis breaks off her engagement to Strephon and offers herself to the richest Peers, Tolloller and Mountararat, magic comes into play and Strephon enters Parliament all set to create havoc.

In Act II, Private Willis shows scant regard for politics, and the fairies are delighted at Strephon’s effects in Parliament, although they are finding the handsome Peers most distracting.

Strephon and Phyllis are reunited and persuade Iolanthe to plead with the Chancellor to give permission for their marriage. This Iolanthe does despite the awful consequences.

All is not lost, as it seems that all the fairies have married the mortal Peers. The Fairy law is changed and the Queen decides to marry Private Willis and the entire company flies off to Fairyland.