THE Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company return to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from September 18 to 20 with their fully staged production of Iolanthe.

Written at the height of Gilbert and Sullivan’s creative powers, their “Fairy Opera” is regarded by many as their best satirical collaboration, one where the House of Lords and the political system come in for criticism with the suggestion that the peerage should no longer be hereditary, but obtainable by “competitive examination”.

Strephon, an Arcadian shepherd and son of Iolanthe, wants to marry Phyllis, a Ward of Chancery, but Phyllis’s guardian, the Lord Chancellor, and half the Peers in the House of Lords are in love with her and are determined to prevent the marriage from taking place. Strephon, however, has a secret: he is half- fairy and the Fairy Queen is a powerful enemy. Soon the Peers and the Fairies are at war.

Lucy Thomson-Smith has joined Jorvik G&S to direct next week’s production, having directed and performed in a number of Gilbert and Sullivan works. In June, she directed sections of Georges Bizet’s Carmen as part of York Opera’s Tales Of Love at the York Guildhall and now G&S’s Iolanthe presents a challenge on a grander scale.

“I was extremely excited to be given the opportunity to direct Iolanthe,” she says. “Having performed in my university’s production and helped out on another rendition backstage, I was already familiar with the show and the possibilities it offered.

“Iolanthe presents a wonderful opportunity to bring some fresh ideas to a modern audience, while still remaining faithful to the core themes and aims of the original. I hope everyone – be they a die-hard purist or a newcomer – will find it an enjoyable production.”

Jorvik G&S’s resident musical director, Matthew Collins, is looking forward to returning to the Rowntree Theatre after the well-received performances of H.M.S Pinafore in 2012 and Ruddigore last year.

“The Fairy Opera’s story, which suggests reforms for the House of Lords, is still very relevant today and shows how far – or not – we have come in 130 years,” says Matthew, whose 20-strong orchestra in the pit will complement Lucy’s cast of 11.

Paul Blenkiron will play the Lord Chancellor; Mark Simmonds, the Earl of Mountararat; Stuart Roberts, Earl Tolloller; Alex Schofield, Strephon; Derek Thomson, Private Willis; Maggy Lamb, Queen of the Fairies; Lois Cross, Iolanthe; Clare Rachel Greener, Phyllis; Georgie Martin, Celia; Karen Kitching, Leila, and Lisa Valentine, Fleta.

Performances start at 7.30pm each evening, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £12, concessions £10, under 16s free, from the York Theatre Royal box office, 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or via email to tickets@jorvikgsc.org.uk

For more information on the Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company, visit the website or email info@jorvikgsc.org.uk