The Sorcerer was the first full-length operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan and the first over which they had complete control of the production.

The story is based on a Christmas story, The Elixir of Love, that Gilbert wrote for The Graphic magazine.

The young lead, Alexis is obsessed with the belief that love should level all ranks and social distinctions and despite his fiancée’s misgivings, employs the proprietor of a Family Sorcerers, J. W Wells.

Wells casts a spell, look out for the special effects, and creates a love potion that is administered to all the villagers through tea poured from a (very) large teapot during the banquet following the betrothal. All who drink it immediately fall asleep, just as Wells has predicted. When they awaken, he promises, each will fall madly in love with the first person he or she sees (echoes of Midsummer Night’s Dream!). Those who are already married are conveniently immune.

What could possibly go wrong?

Watch and listen as chaos ensues and mismatches are everywhere, the solution can only be brought about by the death of either Alexis or Mr. Wells, but no spoilers here.