The Productions: Ruddigore
Program, Original production of Ruddigore, London: Savoy Theatre, [Mar. 1887].
[Souvenir program]. London: Savoy Theatre, [May, 1887]. Original production of Ruddigore. Designed by Alice Havers.
In London, The Mikado finally ended, and, not unexpectedly, the next Gilbert and Sullivan opera suffered badly by comparison. Although it contained some of Gilbert’s wittiest humor, had a mature score by Sullivan, was given an expensive production by Carte, and had costumes meticulously designed by Gilbert himself, audiences were ambivalent, and alterations were quickly made.
Originally titled Ruddygore, or The Witch’s Curse (1887), the opera was a spoof of popular melodrama. The title itself was criticized as being crude, and within a few days, it was changed to Ruddigore. The libretto went through three printings in eleven days to keep up with Gilbert’s textual changes. One month later, Carte sent a first-rate company to New York and, under its original name, Ruddygore opened at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, where it ran for only six weeks and was produced in few American cities.
W. S. Gilbert. Autograph letter, signed. To [George] Boughton. 39 Harrington Gardens, Dec. 17, 1886. Three pages, small 8vo. With a full page drawing by Gilbert.
Gilbert describes his plans for costuming "a new piece for the Savoy Theatre" (Ruddygore) and requests the loan of a dress as a pattern for a costume. Gilbert’s drawing is his costume design.
[Illustrated sheet music.] "Ruddigore Waltz." Arranged by P. Bucalossi. London: Chappell & Co., n.d. [1887]. Color lithographed cover by "H.B."
W. S. Gilbert. Ruddygore. London: Chappell & Co., [1887]. First edition, first state of the libretto, open to Despard and Margaret’s duet.
This libretto was used for only a few performances Jan. 22-26, 1887 before Gilbert embarked on a series of revisions. "Sunday school" was replaced by "National school" at the end of the duet in all subsequent printings of the libretto.
[Broadside]. New York: Fifth Ave. Theatre, [Feb. 1887]. D'Oyly Carte's original New York production of Ruddygore.
[Cabinet photograph]. New York: Falk [1887]. Courtice Pounds as Richard Dauntless in D’Oyly Carte’s New York production of Ruddygore.
Cabinet photograph, Geraldine Ulmar as Rose Maybud in D'Oyly Carte's production of Ruddygore.