 UTOPIA LIMITED
or The Flowers of Progress
Words by W.S. Gilbert : Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan
First produced Savoy Theatre - October 7, 1893 (245 perfs)
SYNOPSIS
Utopia is a paradise island where lazy, languor describes the pace of
life. However, this particular Eden had not one, but three, serpents -
Scaphio and Phantis, the wily and malevolent Wise Men who control all
King Paramount's actions; and Tarara, the Public Exploder, ever ready
to "blow up" the King in order to ascend the throne himself. The King's admiration of all things English has led him to introduce
Lady Sophy, "a grave and good and gracious English lady" as governess
to his younger daughters, Nekaya and Kalba. His deep regard for this lady
is not returned as her susceptibilities are offended by the scurrilous
tales regarding the King's behaviour which appear in The Palace Peeper
- ironically, written by the King himself at the instigation of Scaphio
and Phantis.
Princess Zara, the King's eldest daughter, has been educated at Cambridge
and during Act I returns home, bringing with her Captain Fitzbattleaxe,
with whom she is in love, and five other--Flowers of Progress - who epitomise
all the qualities which have helped to make England a powerful, happy
and blameless country! The Princess becomes the admired source of conflict
between Scaphio and Phantis. When she learns of their control over her
father, she recommends that he allow the Flowers of Progress to take over
the running of the island, and, under the guidance of Mr. Goldbury, the
King declares the island a "Company Limited".
Act II and the King presides over a most unusual Cabinet Council
and later over a formal Drawing Room. Scaphio and Phantis are by now full
of chagrin and rage for their influence and profit has totally dissolved,
and after unsuccessfully threatening the King, they plot with Tarara how
to redress the situation. Mr. Goldbury and Lord Dramaleigh turn their
attentions to dispersing the excessive modesty so far displayed by the
younger Princesses, to the great delight of the girls. Meanwhile the King
is now able to reveal to Lady Sophy the truth about the articles in the
Palace Peeper - and they are rapturously united.
Just as all seems happiest, the three conspiritors return with a rebellious
crowd, tired of the perfection brought about by the Flowers of Progress.
The ugly moment is quickly dispelled as Zara recalls the "most essential
element" of England's greatness, so far not introduced.
What it is is left for you to discover.
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