1972 was the year of the Miners Strike and frequent power cuts. In the programme, our President, Geoffrey Greenwod, wrote about "the prospect of the stage illuminated only by fairy lights caused some anxiety during the dark rehearsals". Fortunately the lights were back on and, as Geoffrey went on to say "as in all theatrical performances, virtue had triumphed".

"Iolanthe" was first performed at the Savoy Theatre on the 25th November 1882 and was the first Gilbert & Sullivan opera to have its premiere at the theatre.

Right up to the final run through of the on the eve of opening night, both the opera and the character now known as Iolanthe" were called Perola. This was an attempt to prevent pirated performances of the opera taking place such had happened with their earlier works.