The Gondoliers 1889

Opened: December 7, 1889

The Gondoliers - 1889 - West End History , Info & More

Savoy Theatre
Savoy Ct, London WC2R 0ET, United Kingdom London

Two just-married Venitian gondoliers are informed by the Grand Inquisitor that one of them has just become the King of "Barataria", but only their foster mother, presently at large, knows which one. As Barataria needs a king to put down unrest in the country, they travel there to reign jointly, leaving their wives behind in Venice until the old lady can be interviewed. It turns out that the king was wed in infancy to the beautiful daughter of the Spanish Duke of Plaza Toro, and so it seems he is an unintentional bigamist. Of course, the beautiful daughter is in love with a common servant! When the young Spaniard and the two Venitian wives all show up wanting to know which of them is queen, complications arise. No worries: The true identity of the king is revealed, and all is combed out spectacularly well by the end.

Get The Gondoliers Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Wright State Theatre Will Run Gilbert and Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS
by Marissa Tomeo - Jan 30, 2022


Wright State Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s mistaken identity musical farce, THE GONDOLIERS in our Herbst Theatre from February 18th through February 27th. Written in 1889 by the great founders of English Musical Comedy, Sir Arthur Sullivan and Sir W.S. Gilbert, THE GONDOLIERS is at times as comic as a Saturday Night Live sketch, at other times touching and romantic, and always relentlessly tuneful. Gilbert and Sullivan are the forerunners of some of the greatest writers in the history of Musical Theatre, including Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Stephen Sondheim. The influences of their comedy and music can be heard in even contemporary musicals like Book of Mormon, Avenue Q and Urinetown. 

BWW Review: THE GONDOLIERS at Winter Opera St. Louis
by Steve Callahan - Jan 17, 2022


Gina Galati's marvelous Winter Opera company has mounted a delightful production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. It opened last night at the new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center to a full and warmly responsive audience.

BWW Review: THE GONDOLIERS - Comic Opera At Its Finest
by Lynn Beaver - Jun 28, 2016


BWW Review: THE GONDOLIERS - Comic Opera At Its Finest Celebrating its 40th year, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin brings us a world class production of THE GONDOLIERS. A sumptuous feast for the senses, the entire show is on point perfection.

Gilbert & Sullilvan's Summer 2016 Grand Production of THE GONDOLIERS Begins Today
by BWW News Desk - Jun 16, 2016


The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin Presents Its Summer 2016 Grand Production of  The Gondoliers. The twelfth of the fourteen collaborations by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, The Gondoliers showcases them at the height of their talents. Love, laughter, and a royal case of mistaken identity will entertain audiences of all ages. This topsy-turvy opera is a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the heart! Michelle HachÈ stage directs with Jeffrey Jones-Ragona as music director. Nine performances will be presented at the Worley Barton Theater at Brentwood Christian School, †June 16-26, 2016.

Gilbert & Sullilvan's Summer 2016 Grand Production of THE GONDOLIERS Set for This June
by Louisa Brady - Jun 4, 2016


The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin Presents Its Summer 2016 Grand Production of  The Gondoliers. The twelfth of the fourteen collaborations by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, The Gondoliers showcases them at the height of their talents. Love, laughter, and a royal case of mistaken identity will entertain audiences of all ages. This topsy-turvy opera is a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the heart! Michelle HachÈ stage directs with Jeffrey Jones-Ragona as music director. Nine performances will be presented at the Worley Barton Theater at Brentwood Christian School, †June 16-26, 2016.

Gilbert & Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS Plays This Weekend at NYU Skirball
by BWW News Desk - May 15, 2015


The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will present its spring production The Gondoliers this weekend, May 15-17 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

Full Cast Set for Gilbert & Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS at NYU Skirball This Month
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2015


The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will present its spring production The Gondoliers May 15-17 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

NY Gilbert & Sullivan to Present THE GONDOLIERS at Skirball Center, 5/15-17
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 20, 2015


The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will present its spring production The Gondoliers May 15-17 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players Presents THE GONDOLIERS at NYU Skirball Center
by Sally Henry Fuller - Apr 11, 2015


The rarely staged G & S collaboration The Gondoliers will be the final production of The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' milestone 40th Anniversary Season --- playing a limited engagement May 15th - 17th at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Produced by America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company (NYGASP) , the production will feature a full cast and 28 piece orchestra.

Finborough Theatre to Present PRINCESS IDA, Beginning 24 March
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 2, 2015


The Finborough Theatre's acclaimed Celebrating British Music Theatre series continues with the first professional London production in over twenty years of Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida opening at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 (Press Night: Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 7.30pm).

The Finborough Theatre Presents Gilbert and Sullivan's THE GRAND DUKE,
by Harmony Wheeler - Mar 13, 2012


The New Actors Company in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre presents THE GRAND DUKE. The Finborough Theatre's 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series continues with the first fully staged professional UK production of Gilbert and Sullivan's final operetta, The Grand Duke, since the original 1896 production. It opens at the Finborough Theatre for a strictly limited run of six Sundays and Mondays from Sunday, 1 April 2012.

Videos