Sullivan and Tennyson had worked together before, on a song cycle for tenor, "The Window", written and composed in 1867–68, but not published until 1871. Sullivan and Tennyson did not find working together on "The Window" congenial and did not attempt work together again for over twenty years. Meanwhile, Tennyson had written a play, "The Cup", that was produced with success by Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre in 1881. Encouraged by this, Tennyson started work on a play based on the Robin Hood legend, completing it after a visit to Sherwood Forest in October 1881. But Irving rejected the play on the grounds that it was not dramatic enough for his audiences at the Lyceum, who were accustomed to his sensational productions. Tennyson turned to other projects, setting "The Foresters" aside for several years. In 1888, American actress Mary Anderson decided to produce "The Cup". Tennyson suggested that she also produce "The Foresters", but again the play was set aside. In 1891, however, Anderson's brother, Joseph wrote to the American impresario Augustin Daly recommending that "The Foresters" would be a good project for him and his star actress Ada Rehan. Daly was enthusiastic about the play and, by September 1891, agreed to arrange a New York production. By then, Tennyson was 82 years old.