TRIAL BY JURY

Music by Arthur Sullivan: Lyrics and Libretto by W. S. Gilbert

Royalty Theatre, London - 25 March, 1875
Arch Theatre, Philadelphia - 22 October, 1875
Eagle Theatre, New York - 15 November, 1875

THE STORY

(A Court of Justice)

Angelina is sueing Edwin for breach of promise, claiming that he has broken his word to marry her. In his own defence, Edwin argues that is unfair to punish him for loving one girl one day and, bored with her, loving another the next. However, the sight of this beautiful girl overcome by emotion and greatly distressed quickly captures the hearts of the 'impartial' jury. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Edwin offers to marry both girls but his suggestion is rejected on the grounds of bigamy.

Faced with potentially substantial damages, Edwin then claims to be a drunkard and a bully, liable to beat Angelina when intoxicated, and worth very little in financial terms. This leads the Judge to suggest that they make him drunk and observe his behaviour towards Angelina! When all except Edwin object to this the Judge becomes very impatient with the whole affair and, in a final effort to bring the trial to a conclusion, he declares that he will marry Angelina himself. This suits everybody, and the case is closed.

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS (plus Chorus)

The Learned Judge
Angelina (the Plaintiff)
Edwin (the Defendant)
Counsel for the Plaintiff
Foreman of the Jury
First Bridesmaid

 

PRINCIPAL MUSICAL NUMBERS 

When First My Old, Old Love I Knew (Edwin, Chorus)
When I, Good Friends, Was Call'd To The Bar (Judge, Chorus)
Comes The Broken Flower (Angelina, Chorus)
Oh, Gentlemen, Listen, I Pray (Edwin, Chorus)
I Love Him, I Love Him (Edwin, Angelina, Chorus)

INSTRUMENTATION (Total number of books = 21)

3 Violins I, 3 Violins II, 2 Violas, 2 Cellos, 1 Double Bass, 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Horn, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Timps , 1 Percussion, 1 Piano (optional - annotated vocal score), 1 Full Score