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Iolanthe
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Utopia (Limited)
The Grand Duke
Patience
Thespis
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THE SAVOY OPERAS
UTOPIA, (LIMITED)
or, THE FLOWERS OF PROGRESS
#ExeterGandS
ST DAVID’S PLAYERS
Gilbert and Sullivan Society · Exeter · Devon
Written by W S Gilbert
Composed by Arthur Sullivan
Premièred at The Savoy Theatre, London 7th October 1893 running for 245 performances.
St David’s Players’ productions: (click to expand)
9 — 13 October 1984
The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Utopians
King Paramount the First — Ian Hardy
Phantis — Robin Johnson
Scaphio — John Stuart
Tarara — Tim Salter
Calynx — Rod Stewart
The Princess Zara — Mary Pickard
The Princess Nekaya — Janet MacDonald
The Princess Kalyba — Lorraine Rogers
The Lady Sophy — Sue Sprague
Salata — Sue Southard
Melene — Sue James
Phylla — Nicky Hobbs
Imported flowers of progress
Lord Dramaleigh — Gerald Quest
Captain Fitzbattleaxe — Phil Hobbs
Captain Sir Edward Corcoran — Peter Sargent
Mr. Goldbury — John Turner
Dame Bailey Barre — Margaret Thomson
Mr. Blushington — Charles Colwill
Producer — IAN BOND
Musical Director — MARK PERRY
7 — 12 October 1996
The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Utopians
King Paramount the First — Guy Somerfield
Phantis — Pete Sargent
Scaphio — Colin Mackenzie
Tarara — Mark Jelley
Calynx — Ian Young
The Princess Zara — Bobbie Hiscock
The Princess Nekaya — Penny Daw
The Princess Kalyba — Sarah-Jo White
The Lady Sophy — Christine West
Salata — Caroline Haydon
Melene — Pam Swan
Phylla — Claire Phillips
Imported flowers of progress
Lord Dramaleigh — Richard Williams
Captain Fitzbattleaxe — Andrew May
Captain Sir Edward Corcoran — Rod Stewart
Mr. Goldbury — Ian Campbell
Dame Bailey Barre — Heather Gould
Mrs Blushington — Jane May
Director — AVRIL PATTINSON
Musical Director — MARY PICKARD
A brief synopsis:
King Paramount of the south seas island of Utopia decides that his people should adopt all English customs and institutions. He has sent his daughter Princess Zara to college in England and hopes that her training there will contribute to his plan to civilise his people. He also decides to transform his entire country into a limited liability corporation, Utopia (Limited).
When Princess Zara returns to Utopia she brings six
"flowers of progress" with her to train the Utopian people
in "English" customs.
However, the reforms are too successful and this upsets the judges of the Utopian Supreme Court and the entire Utopian population, leading to a revolt.
Something is clearly not quite right with the teachings to have resulted in this situation and a resolution needs to be found …