Princess Ida
Book by W. S. Gilbert
Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan
Performances at
Fairgrounds Elementary School
November 15-16, 1963
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Princess Ida, daughter of King Gama, betrothed, since early childhood, to Hilarion, son of King Hildebrand. As Act I begins Hildebrand’s court awaits the overdue arrival of Ida for the uniting of the two lovers and kingdoms. Gama arrives, with his three husky ons, but no Ida. They are all held hostage until Ida arrives to fulfill the long-standing betrothal. She does not arrive, and so Hilarion goes off to find her.
Within the castle walls of Ida’s university for women, Hilarion and two
friends arrive, dress as women, and search for Ida. They become involved in
many difficult encounters, but Hilarion does find Ida (quite attractive too he
thinks) and all goes well until Ida discovers the “new girl students” are MEN! She suffers a fall, the men of Hildebrand’s court arrive and are ready to battle the women to settle the dispute.
Act II begins with the arrival of the girls to war with Hildebrand’s men, though they really don’t want to either. Gama and his daughter Ida finally agree to settle the affair, and instead of the girls battling Hildebrand’s men, the three sons are pit against Hilarion and his friends, Cyril and Florian. The latter win, not only the battle, and their quest for Ida’s hand for Hilarion, but also the solution to Ida’s crusade that women can succeed with no need of men in their lives to help.
Synopsis of Scenes
ACT I Pavilion of King Hildebrand’s Palace
(Intermission)
ACT II Gardens of Castle Adamant
(Intermission)
ACT III Courtyard of Castle Adamant
Produced through arrangement with Tracy Music Library, Boston, Massachusetts
