IOLANTHE
bY gilbert & sullivan
wilton's music hall from 17th - 28th February 2026
★★★★★ “A fabulous production” - London Unattached
★★★★★ “a genuine ray of theatrical light.” - Plays To See
★★★★★ “Sharp, elegant and gloriously entertaining” - London Living Large
We're delighted to return to Wilton’s Music Hall in February with our enchanting production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sharp satire of power, privilege and parliamentary democracy.
The production is directed by our Artistic Director, and renowned operetta specialist, John Savournin, whose recent productions include our recent five-star production of Patience, and The Merry Widow and Trial by Jury for Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park and D’Oyly Carte.
This witty and magical operetta tells a tale of forbidden love causing an absurdist fusion of two worlds – the magical fairies of Fairyland and a bamboozled House of Peers. Featuring some of Sullivan’s most glorious music, including ‘Oh foolish fay’, ‘If you go in, you’re sure to win’ and what is popularly known as ‘The Nightmare Song’, audiences can expect an evening of first class entertainment and riotous fun suitable for all ages.
Audiences can expect first class performances from a terrific young cast which includes an array of CCO favourites. Leading the cast is CCO stalwart Matthew Kellett (Lord Chancellor), who returns after his critically acclaimed performance as Bunthorne in Patience, for which he was nominated for a Fringe Award. He is joined by another company regular Meriel Cunningham (Fairy Queen), David Menezes (Tolloller), and a CCO comedic favourite Catrine Kirkman as Lady Mountararat, who was also nominated for a Fringe Award for her role as Lady Jane in Patience. The rest of the excellent young casting is announced as follows: Llio Evans (Phyllis), Matthew Palmer (Strephon/Willis), Eleanor O’Driscoll (Iolanthe), Sarah Prestwidge (Celia) and Martha Jones (Leila).
The production is directed by our Artistic Director, and renowned operetta specialist, John Savournin, whose recent productions include our recent five-star production of Patience, and The Merry Widow and Trial by Jury for Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park and D’Oyly Carte.
This witty and magical operetta tells a tale of forbidden love causing an absurdist fusion of two worlds – the magical fairies of Fairyland and a bamboozled House of Peers. Featuring some of Sullivan’s most glorious music, including ‘Oh foolish fay’, ‘If you go in, you’re sure to win’ and what is popularly known as ‘The Nightmare Song’, audiences can expect an evening of first class entertainment and riotous fun suitable for all ages.
Audiences can expect first class performances from a terrific young cast which includes an array of CCO favourites. Leading the cast is CCO stalwart Matthew Kellett (Lord Chancellor), who returns after his critically acclaimed performance as Bunthorne in Patience, for which he was nominated for a Fringe Award. He is joined by another company regular Meriel Cunningham (Fairy Queen), David Menezes (Tolloller), and a CCO comedic favourite Catrine Kirkman as Lady Mountararat, who was also nominated for a Fringe Award for her role as Lady Jane in Patience. The rest of the excellent young casting is announced as follows: Llio Evans (Phyllis), Matthew Palmer (Strephon/Willis), Eleanor O’Driscoll (Iolanthe), Sarah Prestwidge (Celia) and Martha Jones (Leila).
production team
Director John Savournin
Musical Director David Eaton
Designer Rachel Szmukler
Lighting Designer Ben Pickersgill
Revival Director James Hurley
Revival Designer Molly Fraser
Choreographer Merry Holden
Musical Director David Eaton
Designer Rachel Szmukler
Lighting Designer Ben Pickersgill
Revival Director James Hurley
Revival Designer Molly Fraser
Choreographer Merry Holden
cast
Lord Chancellor Matthew Kellett
Queen of the Fairies Meriel Cunningham
Iolanthe Eleanor O'Driscoll
Phyllis Llio Evans
Strephon and Willis Matthew Palmer
Earl Tolloller David Menezes
Lady Mountararat Catrine Kirkman
Celia Sarah Prestwidge
Leila Martha Jones
Production Photography Craig Fuller Photography
Queen of the Fairies Meriel Cunningham
Iolanthe Eleanor O'Driscoll
Phyllis Llio Evans
Strephon and Willis Matthew Palmer
Earl Tolloller David Menezes
Lady Mountararat Catrine Kirkman
Celia Sarah Prestwidge
Leila Martha Jones
Production Photography Craig Fuller Photography
sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors:
Graham Brookman - sponsoring the production and Meriel Cunningham
David Bowers - sponsoring Catrine Kirkman
Fiona and Andrew Brannon - sponsoring The House of Lords lamps
Howard Gatiss - sponsoring Matthew Palmer
Tina and Tom Maxwell - sponsoring Martha Jones
Simon Spence - sponsoring Llio Evans and the Lord Chancellor’s wig
Thank you to the following sponsors who have generously supported aspects of the production design you see in this performance:
Costumes
Russell Toone & The Lynams - Fairy Queen’s costume
Simon Spence - Lord Chancellor’s wig
Fairy Wands
Nicola & Harry Medawar - Fairy Queen’s special wand
Philip & Avril Carnelley - Fairy wand
Martin & Tina Oliva - Fairy wand
Paul & Su Vaight - Fairy wand
The House of Lords furniture
Anonymous - The library blood red rug
Fiona Brannon - The House of Lords lamps
Jo Challands - House of Lords chair
Martin Harvey - House of Lords library trolley
Sophie Jane Miller - House of Lords chair
Peers Robes and Crowns
Clare Glenister - A Peers robe and crown
Lord Cochrane of Cults - A Peers robe
Martin Durkin - Peers crown
Peter and Jill Strachan - Peers crown
Books
Peter Twelftree - Victorian Fireman’s book
Clare Myers - Magical fairy book
Deborah Cornish - Library book
Michael Ganghran - Library book
John Harvey - Library book
Elizabeth Taylor - Library book
Richard Wade - Library book
Footwear
Victoria Francis and Nicholas Johnson - A pair of Fairy slippers
Diane & Roger Middleditch - Strephon’s wellies
Drewery Dyke & Jessica Millwood - A pair of Fairy slippers
Carolyn McCommun - A pair of Fairy slippers
Orchestra
Phoebe and Mark Crossley and family - Orchestra
Christopher and Hilde Wood - Orchestra
Further Donations
Geraldine Chmerling - Donation
Dipak Kapur - Donation
Johnny Myers - Donation
Julie Sieger - Donation
And many more generous and anonymous donations, which we are so incredibly thankful for - thank you all so much!
Graham Brookman - sponsoring the production and Meriel Cunningham
David Bowers - sponsoring Catrine Kirkman
Fiona and Andrew Brannon - sponsoring The House of Lords lamps
Howard Gatiss - sponsoring Matthew Palmer
Tina and Tom Maxwell - sponsoring Martha Jones
Simon Spence - sponsoring Llio Evans and the Lord Chancellor’s wig
Thank you to the following sponsors who have generously supported aspects of the production design you see in this performance:
Costumes
Russell Toone & The Lynams - Fairy Queen’s costume
Simon Spence - Lord Chancellor’s wig
Fairy Wands
Nicola & Harry Medawar - Fairy Queen’s special wand
Philip & Avril Carnelley - Fairy wand
Martin & Tina Oliva - Fairy wand
Paul & Su Vaight - Fairy wand
The House of Lords furniture
Anonymous - The library blood red rug
Fiona Brannon - The House of Lords lamps
Jo Challands - House of Lords chair
Martin Harvey - House of Lords library trolley
Sophie Jane Miller - House of Lords chair
Peers Robes and Crowns
Clare Glenister - A Peers robe and crown
Lord Cochrane of Cults - A Peers robe
Martin Durkin - Peers crown
Peter and Jill Strachan - Peers crown
Books
Peter Twelftree - Victorian Fireman’s book
Clare Myers - Magical fairy book
Deborah Cornish - Library book
Michael Ganghran - Library book
John Harvey - Library book
Elizabeth Taylor - Library book
Richard Wade - Library book
Footwear
Victoria Francis and Nicholas Johnson - A pair of Fairy slippers
Diane & Roger Middleditch - Strephon’s wellies
Drewery Dyke & Jessica Millwood - A pair of Fairy slippers
Carolyn McCommun - A pair of Fairy slippers
Orchestra
Phoebe and Mark Crossley and family - Orchestra
Christopher and Hilde Wood - Orchestra
Further Donations
Geraldine Chmerling - Donation
Dipak Kapur - Donation
Johnny Myers - Donation
Julie Sieger - Donation
And many more generous and anonymous donations, which we are so incredibly thankful for - thank you all so much!
