Gilbert eventually came up with the plot for The Yeomen of the Guard and Sullivan approved. Initially it was called ‘The Tower of London’, then ‘The Tower Warders’ and ‘The Beefeaters’ before finally arriving at ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’. Sullivan was delighted as the characters were believable and the plot was logical.
Despite all this, as opening night approached Gilbert became increasingly apprehensive. Would the audience accept this new seriousness from them, would they understand it?
Though the opening night reception was possibly more enthusiastic than for ‘The Mikado’, Gilbert was right to worry. It was Sullivan who scored most notably with the critics. Gilbert was taken to task by almost every critic for plagiarizing.
The Yeomen continued at the Savoy until 30th November 1889.
Our 2025 co-production with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park
Learn MoreThe 150th Anniversary co-production of Trial by Jury, in a double bill with a new commission, A Matter of Misconduct by Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession
Learn MoreIn 2025, we will collaborate with Scottish Opera for a fourth time. We are co-producing a brand new production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár and, to celebrate our sesquicentennial, a new production of Trial by Jury.
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