Jorvik Gilbert & Sullivan Company

The Yeomen of the Guard was the closest the highly prolific and successful partnership came to writing a grand opera together and went some way to satisfying Sullivan’s desire to write more about human interest and emotion, and avoid fanciful plots.

A pair of strolling players – Elsie Maynard (a singer) and Jack Point (a Jester) – become caught up in a risky intrigue at The Tower of London.

Colonel Fairfax, a soldier and scientist, has been sentenced to death on a false charge of sorcery. To avoid leaving his estate to his accuser (a cousin) and with the help of the Lieutenant of the Tower, he secretly marries Elsie, who agrees to be blindfolded during the ceremony and expects to be a well-paid widow within the hour.

Aided by former compatriot Yeoman Sergeant Meryll and his family, Fairfax "disappears", leaving the Tower folk in confusion and Elsie as his wife. Jack Point, who is in love with Elsie and has contrived to manipulate everything to his own advantage, is left in utter despair when Fairfax, finally pardoned, reveals his true identity and claims his bride.

Directed by Steve Aylmer, who has over 50 years’ experience of performing and directing Gilbert and Sullivan works, alongside Musical Director Jessica Douglas, this is sure to be another highly successful production from Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company.