Light Opera of Portland, the metro area’s only dedicated Gilbert & Sullivan opera company, are taking their next production on the road this summer! A new staging of Iolanthe will be opening at the Brunish Theatre in downtown Portland in June, before heading west to perform at Hillsboro Artists Regional Theatre in July and August.

Iolanthe, originally performed in 1882, tells the story of Strephon and Phyllis, two young shepherds engaged to be married. There are only two small problems; Phyllis is a Ward of Chancery, and cannot marry without the Lord Chancellor’s permission, while Strephon is secretly half a fairy (his legs are mortal) on his mother’s side! Strephon’s mother, Iolanthe, was banished for the crime of marrying a mortal, but is pardoned by the Fairy Queen and reunites with her sisters, and her son. The Lord Chancellor and the entire House of Lords (who are all in love with Phyllis themselves) arrive, but Phyllis rejects their offers of wealth and privilege for a life of simple honesty with the poor shepherd she loves.

Unfortunately, Phyllis and the Peers encounter Strephon and his mother Iolanthe, who being a fairy looks like a young maiden, and the Peers convince Phyllis that Strephon is unfaithful. Strephon calls on the fairies for help, and the Fairy Queen threatens revenge on the Peers by sending Strephon into Parliament with magical powers to pass any bill he wishes, including forcing the Peers to actually do their work instead of slacking off, and making it possible for common people to become nobles by passing a competitive examination!

Iolanthe features beautiful music by Sullivan as he references Wagner, Mendelssohn, and Handel, and Gilbert’s topsy-turvy satire takes aim at the pompous yet ineffectual political classes. Written at the height of their collaboration, it is widely considered to be one of their greatest comic operas.

Performances will take place at the Brunish Theatre June 28th – 30th, and at Hillsboro Artists Regional Theatre July 19th – August 4th. For more information visit http://www.lightoperaofportland.org, or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LightOperaOfPortland/ or on Instagram at @lightoperapdx

Iolanthe is directed by Light Opera of Portland’s Artistic Director Laurence Cox, Music Director Reece Sauve, and Producer Sara Rivara.