Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe

Madison Savoyards presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s enchanting comic opera, Iolanthe, August 1-10, 2025, at the Bartell Theatre in downtown Madison. Madison Savoyards first staged Iolanthe in 1963, and annually produces a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta each summer.

Set in a world where fairies and Parliament collide, Iolanthe follows the story of a fairy who breaks the law by marrying a mortal. Twenty-five years later, her son—half-mortal, half-fairy—falls in love with a mortal woman. That too is a crime punishable by death. As tensions rise, Iolanthe takes a daring stand to challenge tradition and protect her son’s future.

With its effervescent score and razor-sharp wit, Iolanthe skewers the British aristocracy, lampoons government bureaucracy, and slyly nods to Queen Victoria and Prime Minister William Gladstone. The production brings together a remarkable cast of singers and musicians for a delightfully irreverent experience the whole family can enjoy.

Don’t miss this iconic blend of farce and fantasy from the beloved duo behind The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore.