Gilbert and Sullivan the theme from "Iolanthe" of the war between the sexes. The opera is based on Tennyson's poem "The Princess: A Medley". Gilbert had written a blank verse farce based on the same material in 1870, called "The Princess", and he reused a good deal of the dialogue from his earlier play in the libretto of "Princess Ida". "Ida" is the only Gilbert and Sullivan work with dialogue entirely in blank verse and is also the only one of their works in three acts. Lillian Russell had been engaged to create the title role, but Gilbert did not believe that she
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company August and September 2010, the G&S Opera Company presented its first production outside of the festival, "The Yeomen of the Guard", at Oxford Castle. Two of its 2012 productions were repeated in Harrogate late in August, and all three of its 2013 productions transferred there in late August. The company toured three of its 2014 productions in repertory from June to August 2014, giving seven performances in each of six cities. Since 2015, besides Harrogate, the company has toured its productions to several cities and towns in the UK, including the Festival's previous home, Buxton. "Sky Arts" called the Gilbert