Opera Unwrapped: Trial by Jury & The Zoo

This double bill pairs two Gilbert and Sullivan comic operettas. Trial by Jury presents a farcical courtroom scene where a young man is sued for breach of promise by a woman he once courted. The judge, jury, and legal establishment descend into absurdity as the case unfolds with increasingly ridiculous testimony and verdicts. The Zoo, a shorter satirical piece, offers sharp social commentary through animal characters and human folly. Together, these works showcase Gilbert's wit and Sullivan's melodic brilliance, delivering rapid-fire patter songs, ensemble numbers, and the irreverent humor that made the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership legendary in Victorian musical theatre.