Trial By Jury & The Zoo - English National Opera

A double bill of two one-act operettas by Sullivan at the London Coliseum: The Zoo, a tale of hidden identities and mix-ups, and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury, a courtroom piece. Staged by English National Opera.

This English National Opera production at the London Coliseum pairs two one-act operettas. The first, Sullivan's The Zoo, with a libretto by Bolton Rowe, follows a young couple whose concealed identities, a secret marriage and a run of mix-ups eventually lead them to an engagement. The Zoo is being staged for the first time at ENO, in a new production.

The evening then moves to a courtroom for Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury. Angelina brings a suit against her former fiancé, Edwin, and the proceedings take an unexpected turn when the judge develops a romantic interest. Trial by Jury comes from a Scottish Opera production and is presented here alongside The Zoo.

The double bill is directed by John Savournin, an ENO favourite and specialist in Gilbert and Sullivan, and the staging has a 1980s flavour. Both works are early Sullivan, with light, witty and melodically assured music. Their librettos combine absurdity with gentle social satire.