


The course of true love never did run smooth. Especially in Sullivan’s The Zoo, where we meet a pair of young lovers who, despite hidden identities, secret marriages and mischievous mix-ups, manage to become engaged.
But the story doesn’t end there. In this hilarious pairing of the two operettas, we then head to the courtroom for Trial by Jury, where Angelina is suing former fiancé Edwin for breach of promise. Cue chaos, joyous absurdity and an unexpected twist – courtesy of a romantically-inclined judge.
Paired alongside Gilbert & Sullivan‘s Trial by Jury in a 2025 production from Scottish Opera is Sullivan’s The Zoo with words by Bolton Rowe in a new production performed for the first time at ENO. These two one-act operettas are directed by ENO favourite and G&S specialist John Savournin who brings his iconic flair and a 1980s vibe.
Although early works, the music of both pieces is already quintessential Sullivan – light, witty and melodically brilliant. Both librettos come with a healthy dose of the ridiculous spiced with a light sprinkling of social satire.
BSL:
1hr 25min. No interval.
Ages 18+.
4th March, 2027
12th March, 2027
Conductor: Peter Whelan
Director: John Savournin
Cast list: Neal Davies, Mary Bevan, Robert Murray, Madeleine Shaw, Henry Neill, Alex Otterburn, Jonathan Lemalu, Alaric Green
Sets: takis
Costumes: takis
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: St. Martin's Lane 24, 29, 176 / 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139
Night bus numbers: St. Martin's Lane 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279 / 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551
Car park: Q-Park: Chinatown (5mins) / Other: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)
Directions from tube: (3mins) Take Cranbourn Street until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.
Trial by Jury & The Zoo come together in this wildly entertaining pairing. Acting as the prequel and sequel to the same ill‑fated love story, these rarely performed works are full of wit, absurdity and unexpected twists.
Trial By Jury & The Zoo - English National Opera runs for 1hr 25min. No interval.
Trial By Jury & The Zoo - English National Opera is at London's London Coliseum, which is located at St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES.
Trial By Jury & The Zoo - English National Opera tickets start at £25.
Ages 18+.
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