Words by Bolton Rowe (B.C. Stephenson)
Lyrics of In fond pursuit by Jonathan Strong
Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan

The Aristocrat, the Apothecary, and The Great British Public

OMP Productions:
  Autumn 1994 (Performed with Trial By Jury)
  Spring 2001 (Performed with Trial By Jury)

The Zoo takes place in London's Zoological Gardens. Modest young chemist, Æsculapius Carboy, desolate because he may not marry Laetitia, daughter of the heartless greengrocer, Mr. Grinder, is determined to hang himself. Kindly, high-minded Eliza Smith, proprietress of the Refreshment Stand, dissuades him. She, meanwhile, is being courted by Thomas Brown, who proves his love by eating a vast quantity of food from Eliza's Stand. He passes out and as the crowd tries to revive him, they discover that he is the Duke of Islington in disguise.

Mr. Grinder arrives at the Zoo and again rejects Carboy's suit, despite Laetitia's pleas, and Carboy again prepares to kill himself -- this time by climbing down into the bear pit. But the Duke of Islington, now in full regalia, saves the day and proves that, at least in operetta, money can buy happiness.

(Note: The "blister" which Carboy tells the crowd he sent to Grinder and fears poor Laetitia drank, is another name for mustard plaster; that is, an ointment made with mustard seed and applied to fabric such as muslin, to make a poultice for healing sores.)

Last updated: 08/18/07