Trial By Jury & The Zoo - English National Opera

Trial by Jury and The Zoo are brought together in a lively and comedic double bill that turns one disastrous romance into an evening of chaos, satire, and absurd humour. Directed by Gilbert and Sullivan specialist John Savournin, the production presents the two rarely performed operettas as the beginning and aftermath of the same ill-fated love story. In The Zoo, audiences follow a pair of young lovers navigating secret identities, hidden marriages, and comic misunderstandings before finally becoming engaged. The story then continues in Trial by Jury, where the engagement has collapsed and Angelina sues her former fiancé Edwin for breach of promise, leading to a courtroom filled with eccentric characters, romantic confusion, and increasingly ridiculous twists.

Featuring Sullivan’s sparkling early music and sharp comic writing, the production combines playful social satire with a vibrant 1980s-inspired staging. Though created early in Sullivan’s career, both operettas already display the wit, melodic charm, and theatrical energy that would define the legendary Gilbert and Sullivan partnership. Conducted by Olivier Award winner Peter Whelan, the cast includes Mary Bevan and Robert Murray as the unfortunate lovers Angelina and Edwin, alongside Neal Davies as the flirtatious Learned Judge. Blending farce, romance, and musical brilliance, this entertaining double bill offers a rare chance to experience two overlooked comic gems brought to life with energy and style.