music by Arthur Sullivan, libretto by William S. Gilbert

directed by Catherine Huntress-Reeve with Richard Fazio, music director — read the director's note
scenic design by Elizabeth Jenkins McFadden
costume design by Eleanor Dicks
choreography by Pauline Grossman

Sandy Rovner's study guide

This production is dedicated to the Washington Savoyards founding director
Audrey M. Shipp
April 21, 1929 to October 20, 2006

The Story

Act I: The aesthetic poet Bunthorne explains to a group of lovesick maidens the mysteries of love, which, he asserts, can be cured by proper medical treatment. They listen to him with adoration, but he remains unaffected by their passion for him. But they know his secret: he loves Patience, the milk-maid who has never loved anyone except an aunt. When alone, Bunthorne admits being a sham—only feigning aestheticism to gain admiration.

A regiment of Dragoon Guards arrives—last year’s love interests to whom the maidens are still engaged. The maidens, however, are not pleased to see them. In response to the Colonel’s rollicking, boastful greeting, they tell the Guards that Bunthorne as opened their eyes to aestheticism and an ideal, ethereal world.

Patience, trying to recollect if she has ever truly loved someone besides her aunt, remembers a boy who was her childhood playmate.When a second poet, Archibald Grosvenor, appears, she discovers that it is he. They love each other, but Patience, in the belief that true love is "utter unselfishness," thinks she cannot marry one so perfect.

Bunthorne meanwhile, rejected by Patience, decides to raffle himself off but, just as the lot is to be drawn, Patience in her "utter unselfishness" says that she will marry him after all because "she detests him so."The disappointed maidens then return to the Dragoons, but when they see the handsome Grosvenor, they immediately transfer their affections to him because "he is aesthetic!" Bunthorne is jealous; the Dragoons disgusted.

ACT II: Lady Jane bewails the lot of women who have been maidens too long. Grosvenor is now adored by all, but is somewhat annoyed by their attentions for they have followed him since Monday. He pleads for "the usual half holiday on Saturday." Patience, meanwhile, muses upon love. Bunthorne, deserted and consumed by jealousy, has still one faithful admirer—the portly Lady Jane, whose charms decrease as her size increases. She implores him not to wait too long, but Bunthorne is determined to beat Grosvenor.

At last the rival poets meet. Bunthorne threatens to "curse" Grosvenor unless he consents to cut his hair and become quite ordinary. Outwardly appalled, but secretly relieved, Grosvenor consents to become an "every day young man." Now that Bunthorne is happy in his victory, Patience, in her "utter unselfishness," breaks her engagement to him. When Grosvenor returns, dressed in a tweed suit, she realizes that since he is now a commonplace—rather than a perfect—young man, she can marry him.

Bunthorne finds that the lovesick maidens have returned to their soldier-lovers. He then decides to console himself with Lady Jane. But the Duke of Dunstable, desirous of marrying a plain woman, has already claimed her.

Bunthorne is left with no bride.