The theatre was managed by Mr Richard D’Oyly Carte, and it was his instigation that brought Gilbert and Sullivan together. The main work of the evening was obviously ‘La Perichole’, which had opened in January of the same year. It was the custom to provide a ‘curtain raiser’ and possibly an after piece because the Victorians not only enjoyed value for money but they also liked variety.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s piece was instantly successful, and began to overtake ‘La Perichole’ in popularity. It continued at the Royalty until 18th December 1875, with a total of 131 performances.Trial by Jury was last performed by the company in 1990, when it was presented in conjunction with HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.
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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