Merrie England by Edward German and Basil Hood

LONG DESCRIPTION: A classic of British musical theater, Edward German & Basil Hood’s Merrie England unfolds to the backdrop of an idyllic, romanticized setting... that is quickly unraveled by scurrilous love, jealous rivalries, and witchcraft. The heart of Queen Elizabeth I belongs to the frustratingly charming Sir Walter Raleigh—who, unbeknownst to his Queen, loves another: the Lady-in-Waiting, Bessie Throckmorton! When a love letter intended for Bessie falls into the hands of the rather unfortunate Jill All-Alone, the horrid truth unravels, no thanks to the machinations of the Earl of Essex, and the Queen’s wrath swiftly follows. Spurring over five hundred amateur productions during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation year (1953), German and Hood's Merrie England was the first new project launched at the Savoy Theatre after the death of Arthur Sullivan. Featuring masterful wordplay and a lively score in the style made famous by its predecessors, German’s patriotic operetta is a raucously fun tribute to the pioneers of English comic opera. Tickets: $25 general, $5 students, $60 patron, $15 groups of 10+ Box office: tickets.uchicago.edu or 773.702.2787

Event website Tickets