Here you'll find programmes and other memorabilia relating to the first runs of the G&S operas, and some of the early tours and revivals before 1920. Also, programmes for other D'Oyly Carte productions, and "extra-curricular" work by DOC performers.The most recent additions to the list are now found at the top of the page.

This page only includes items which are currently FOR SALE. However, as the items which have already been sold form an interesting record of Gilbert, Sullivan and DOC performers in the nineteenth century, we have created an archive, for researchers and collectors, with the material presented in date order, for ease of reference, including, where possible, opening night dates, run lengths and cast changes.

IVANHOE - OPENING NIGHT

The opening production at the Royal English Opera, D'Oyly Carte's new theatre, was Ivanhoe, an opera by Sullivan. The souvenir programme for the opera is known to exist with at least two different covers, although neither appears to represent characters from the piece, which opened on Jan 31st 1891. D'Oyly Carte regulars Charles Kenningham, Frederick Bovill, Esther Palliser and Richard Green are named in this opening night copy, which is dated in full, but which does not state that Sullivan would conduct.

Selected as the finale of the annual Actors Benevolent Fund Matinee, at Drury Lane on June 19th 1884, was a selection from Princess Ida, featuring Durward Lely, Charles Ryley and Henry Bracy. Also on the bill that afternoon were, among many others, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and Kate Vaughan. Madame Patey and Mr Santley also sang, and it is maybe not entirely coincidental that Richard D'Oyly Carte is named on the cover as Vice-President of the charity !

PINAFORE / TRIAL

With only Richard Temple in his original role, HMS Pinafore was given its second revival (with Trial By Jury) on June 6th 1899. The production ran for 174 performances, closing on 25th November. This programme was printed on 2nd October.

THE LUCKY STAR

This Lucky Star programme, dated 4th April 1899 shows two cast changes from opening night. As well as Fred Wright Jnr the cast includes Henry Claff as Kedas, the Chief of Police, replacing Frank Manning. The show closed on 31st May after 143 performances.

OLIVIA

W.G. Wills' play, Olivia, opened at the Court Theatre in London on 30th March 1878, and included a Sullivan part-song, "Morn, happy morn". This programme, crediting Sullivan with the "trio" in Act Two, is from Liverpool, where the play appeared for twelve nights from 21st October 1878.

This example of a Nautch Girl programme is dated 8th January 1892 and would indicate that, contrary to Rollins and Witts, Rutland Barrington and Jessie Bond returned to play The Rajah and Chinna Loofa for the final few performances. Edith Briant (or Bryant ?) also made an unexpected appearance as Cheetah at this time. The piece closed on Jan 16th 1892, after 200 performances. In the curtain-raiser, Captain Billy, which had opened on 23rd September 1891, Cissey (sic) Saumarez played Polly.

THE CHIEFTAIN / QUITE AN ADVENTURE

The Chieftain was a reworking of Sullivan and Burnand's The Contrabandista, and opened at the Savoy on 12th December 1894, running for just 97 performances. From 15th to 29th December the Sullivan piece was preceded by a short Desprez/Solomon operetta, Quite An Adventure, in which Beatrice Perry, named in this programme, appeared for just the final week. According to the cast list Powis Pinder unaccountably played both Ferdinand de Roxas and Escatero in the main piece !

THE MIKADO - FIRST REVIVAL

During the 116 performance run of the first Mikado revival there were a number of cast changes. This programme has Richard Temple in the title role, Geraldine Ulmar as Yum-Yum, Annie Cole as Pitti-Sing and Brandram, Grossmith and Barrington recreating their original parts. The curtain raiser was Mrs Jarramie's Genie. The revival opened at the Savoy on June 7th 1888 and ran until September 29th.

MELUSINE THE ENCHANTRESS

Fred Sullivan appeared in both The Blind Beggars and Melusine the Enchantress at the Royal Amphitheatre, Holborn in 1874. The latter purported to have music by Herve, but was in fact an unauthorised version of the composer's Les Chavaliers de la Table Ronde. When challenged the theatre manager admitted that he had had the piece re-orchestrated as he couldn't afford the French band parts ! The piece was a huge flop, and this programme appears to be a first-night example, though issued on 24th October 1874.

GONDOLIERS - FIRST REVIVAL

The Gondoliers was given its first revival at the Savoy on March 22nd 1898, with only Rosina Brandram of the original cast repeating her role. There was one cast change during the 62 performance run, but this programme, dated 19th May, shows Emmie Owen as Gianetta. The revival closed on May 21st to make way for The Beauty Stone, which is advertised on the bottom inside edge.

THE SORCERER / TRIAL

Regular programme for the 2nd Sorcerer revival, dated 5th December. The opera had opened on Sept 22nd 1898, and ran for 102 performances, in tandem with Trial by Jury, closing on New Year's Eve. At this point in the run Charles Childerstone was the Defendant with Henry Franckiss as the Associate, and Jones Hewson was Sir Marmaduke.

SAILOR'S HOME MATINEE

On Tues December 11th 1900 the Garrick Theatre hosted a benefit matinee in aid of the Sailor's Home in Chatham, Kent. The usual mix of playlets and variety entertainment, George Grossmith performed some humorous songs and selections, and his brother Weedon appeared in his own comedy, A Commission. Dan Leno joined other great names of the day, including H.B. Irving, Martin Harvey and Hayden Coffin.

1918 HERALD

Henry Lytton headed the cast when the D'Oyly Carte appeared at the King's Theatre in Hammersmith, West London, from May 27th 1918. This herald, with the second of two cover variations based on the Savoy crest, has five pages detailing the operas performed during the three week engagement.

MACBETH RECITAL

On Wednesday afternoon, July 16th 1890, at St James's Hall, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry gave a recital of scenes from their production of Macbeth, first seen at the Lyceum in 1888. Sullivan had composed music specifically for this production, and at the 1890 recital a full orchestra played the pieces. This flyer for the event is printed on hand made paper.

ANSON BENEFIT

On April 21st 1877, at 2pm, the Opera Comique hosted a benefit performance for the actor G.W. Anson. Of most interest to us here is the appearance of Lionel Brough singing a new musical sketch by George Grossmith (then "Junr.", but our Gee Gee), "The Muddle Puddle Junction Porter". Earlier in the afternoon Ellen Terry appeared as Helen in a scene from Knowles' The Hunchback. Price reduced

COX & BOX

Presented at the Royal Court Theatre, with Richard Temple, Arthur Cecil and Furneaux Cook, as part of a series of Wednesday afternoon matinees. This programme was produced for the 10th Dec 1884 performance, when the Sullivan piece was joined on the bill by My Milliner's Bill and Twenty Minutes Under an Umbrella. Price reduced

THE MOUNTEBANKS

Gilbert's opera The Mountebanks opened at the Lyric Theatre on 4th January 1892, and ran until August. The composer, Alfred Cellier, died eight days before opening night, and his work was completed by Ivan Caryll. The cast included the latter's wife, Geraldine Ulmar, the original Gianetta, and Frank Wyatt. Price reduced

KING ARTHUR

King Arthur,a play by J. Comyns Carr opened at the Royal Lyceum Theatre on 12th January 1895. Starring, of course, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, the piece had choral and incidental music by Sullivan. As noted in the programme, which includes all the song lyrics, the entr'actes were also selected from Sir Athur's previous compositions. Price reduced

HIS EXCELLENCY on tour

Sanger's Amphitheatre in Ramsgate was host to His Excellency for a week from August 5th 1895. Although "from the Lyric Theatre", this production by J. F. Elliston did not have the stellar cast seen in London; the lead roles were taken by Stratton Mills, Arthur Lawrence, Rose Hamilton and Madge Avery. Price reduced

The second revival of The Mikado, which opened at the Savoy on 6th Nov 1895. The production featured Rutland Barrington, Jessie Bond and Rosina Brandram in their original characters, and closed after 127 performances, on March 4th 1896. This programme is dated for 6th December. Price reduced

HERMANN VEZIN MATINEE

Benefit programme from the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 19th March 1896 for the celebrated American actor and elocution teacher, Hermann Vezin. George Grossmith, delivering a sketch, topped a bill which included play scenes featuring, among others, Gerald du Maurier, Beerbohm Tree and Cyril Maude. Price reduced

FANNY ENSON's MATINEE

Benefit for Fanny Enson at the Criterion Theatre, May 19th 1896. Florence St.John (Rita of The Chieftain) was among the featured performers, and Lillie Langtry gave a recitation. Other names included Mr. & Mrs.Tree, Irene Vanbrugh, Charles Wyndham, Louie Freear, Nina Bouccicault and Lewis Waller. Selections from plays were interspersed with solo items. Price reduced

PIRATES OF PENZANCE / THE OUTPOST

Pirates was revived for the second time at the Savoy in the Summer of 1900, opening on June 30th. Despite a short run of just 127 performances, there were a number of cast changes during the run. The work was preceded by The Outpost, adapted from the German piece by Korner. Price reduced

1st REP SEASON at Savoy Theatre

December 1906 to August 1907: If title is a link, a prog is in stock. Alternate casts, colours and original prices, if any, are detailed lower on the same page. Prices reduced

2nd REP SEASON at Savoy Theatre

April 1908 to March 1909: If title is a link, a prog is in stock. Alternate casts, colours and original prices, if any, are detailed lower on the same page. Prices reduced