An Operetta double bill.

Trial by Jury is a comic opera in one act, which was first produced in 1875 at London’s Royalty Theatre, where it initially ran for 131 performances and was considered a hit, receiving considerable critical praise.

The story concerns a “breach of promise of marriage” lawsuit, in which the judge and legal system are the objects of lighthearted satire. Gilbert based the libretto of Trial by Jury on an operetta parody that he had written in 1868.

The Sorcerer made its debut in 1877 and was the first Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration in which the two had complete control of the production.

The story begins with the villagers of Ploverleigh celebrating the betrothal of Alexis, son and heir of Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, to Aline, daughter of Lady Sangazure. Alexis and Aline sign the marriage contract, but it appears that Alexis, despite loving Aline, does not share his father’s outmoded notions that only men and women of equivalent rank should marry, without regard to such nonsense as romantic inclination. Alexis hires Sorcerer John Wellington Wells, to cast a spell and create a love potion that is administered to all the villagers. All who drink it will immediately fall asleep, and upon waking up, fall madly in love with the first person he or she sees, with immunity to those already married.

Music by Arthur Sullivan;
Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert.