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First produced at the Savoy Theatre 14th November 1901with Ib and Little Christiana, running for a total of 110 performances from 14th to 29th November and in a revised version, from 9th December to 29th March 1902.

Printed libretto in British Library, at 11778.f.23(5). [1901]. Vocal Score published by Chappells, copy in British Library at F.690.j.(2) [1902].

Cast

AH MEE, a maiden Agnes Fraser
HI-HO, her lover Powis Pinder
SO-HI, her father Reginald Crompton
SO-LO, his friend Robert Rous
WEE-PING, a rich lady Rosina Brandram
PING-PONG Walter Passmore
TEE-THING, his grandmother Jessie Pounds
FEE-FI, a poor girl Blanche Gaston-Murray
FO-FUM, her lover W.H. Leon

As Ib and Little Christina was shorter than Iolanthe, The Willow Pattern had to be condensed when it was revived with the latter opera. The cast was reduced to the following four characters:

AH MEE, a maiden Agnes Fraser/Patience Seymour
HI-HO, her lover Powis Pinder
SO-HI, her father Rudolph Lewis
PING-PONG Robert Rous

Synopsis

A quite clever elaboration of the familiar story of the willow pattern, but with the addition of some extra characters, notably a rogue Ping-Pong who helps to trick the father into allowing his daughter to marry her lover.


Page modified 10 August 2019