Iolanthe ★★★★★ Wilton's Music Hall | Feb 17 - 28, 2026


Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, or The Peer and the Peri premiered in 1882 to warm acclaim from critics and the public alike. In 2020 Charles Court Opera unveiled its imaginative reworking of the classic, but the Covid pandemic curtailed its run after only four preview performances. Now returning to London and accompanied by the Charles Court Opera Chamber Orchestra, this judiciously refreshed production deserves nothing less than the wholehearted enthusiasm that greeted the original. The opera’s satire of the House of Lords and the British legal system remains deliciously pointed. When the assembled peers discover that there exists a social order superior to their own, both more capricious and more powerful than they could ever hope to be, their pomposity is punctured with exquisite precision. Within the framework of a tender love story between Strephon, half mortal and half fairy, and his beloved Phyllis, Gilbert deftly and lightheartedly exposes the absurdities of those who presume to govern the country. The humour feels as fresh and relevant now as it did in the nineteenth century. The cast rise to the challenge magnificently. The fairy chorus of Sarah Prestwidge and Martha Jones combines vocal clarity with mischievous charm, creating an ethereal yet amusing presence throughout. Eleanor O’Driscoll brings warmth and playfulness to Iolanthe, shaping the role with lyrical grace and emotional sincerity. However, it is Meriel Cunningham as the Fairy Queen who commands the stage with regal poise and broad comic flair, her full, rich mezzo voice filling the theatre with warmth and vitality. Once again, Matthew Kellett proves to be a consummate comic actor as the Lord Chancellor. His delivery of "The law is the true embodiment" is a masterclass in patter precision, every syllable crisp and intelligible, while "When all night long a chap remains" or "The Nightmare Song" showcases some formidable stamina, rhythmic control and unfailing verbal dexterity. This is a performance that anchors the production with wit and authority. Merry Holden’s choreography is deft and perfectly judged, enhancing the humour without ever overwhelming it, and ensuring that the visual storytelling matches Sullivan’s buoyant and brilliant score.This is a production that understands both the bite and the beauty of Iolanthe. Sharp, elegant and gloriously entertaining, it reminds us that good satire never ages and that when performed with this much verve, it positively sparkles.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Craig Fuller

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB, UK

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