Though called a "Dramatic Cantata," TRIAL BY JURY, in its perfect union of tuneful
music and clever words, is a direct forerunner of the more famous later successes
of this inimitable pair, and is equally well worth knowing. It is their only work entirely
without spoken dialogue. This delightful work was the first product of the regular
collaboration of Gilbert and Sullivan and produced March 25, 1875.
COX AND BOX: Sergeant Bounce, an old soldier, has a scheme to get double rent
from a single room. By day he lets it to mr. Box (a printer who is out all night) and
by night to Mr. Cox (a hatter who works all day). Both meet during an unexpected
holiday and they discover they share more than the same bed. Cox is engaged to
the widow Penelope Ann Wiggins - a fate that Box escaped by pretending to commit
suicide. News arrives that she has been lost at sea and has left her fortune to her
'intended'. They then both try to claim her for themselves. Another letter arrives -
she has been found and now they both try to disclaim her! However, she doesn't
appear personally, instead leaving a letter to inform them that she intends to marry
a Mr. Knox! Relieved, Cox and Box swear eternal friendship and discover, curiously
enough, that they are long-lost brothers.
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