Richard D'Oyly Carte was manager of the theatre for Dolaro, and when one of La Périchole'''s companion pieces proved weak, Carte asked Gilbert to collaborate with Arthur Sullivan to write a one-act piece for the theatre.
Richard D'Oyly Carte, manager of the theatre for Dolaro, asked Gilbert to collaborate with Arthur Sullivan to write a one-act piece for the theatre when one of La Périchole's companion pieces proved unsuccessful.