I ask you, what could be more British than Gilbert and Sullivan? Their deft operettas have worn well through the late 19th, 20th, and into the 21st century. Gilbert and Sullivan societies ("Savoyards") seem to pepper the globe, having been established everywhere from Tasmania to Nova Scotia. While I'd seen a number of G&S productions in the U.S., I'd never had the opportunity to see one performed by the original light opera company that Gilbert and Sullivan wrote for, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

The opportunity came when we were able to get tickets for "Iolanthe" at the Leicester Square Half Price Ticket Booth. And what tickets! Our seats were third row from the stage, center. We paid what seemed like a pittance, $30. Better yet, we were able to see the performance in the Savoy Theatre, home to the D'Oyly Carte company since 1881.

It was a magical evening. Our eleven-year-old son had initially baulked at the idea of going to an "opera," but he soon found, as millions have before him, that Gilbert and Sullivan is the lightest of light opera. It's bubbly froth with a leavening caustic undertone, and the implausible plot (which, like all G&S operas, involved the eventual happy union of lovers) provides the pretext for musical romps and high Victorian silliness.

It helped, too, that the staging and choreography were so entertaining. The first act opens with a chorus of "fairies," all slim and beautiful in their gossamer fairy clothes. All except one, that is - a heavyset woman who was clearly relishing her role as the fairy who couldn't get things quite right. Later on, chaos ensues when the pompous Peers of the Realm (who enter decked in their robes of state singing "Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes/Bow, bow, ye tradesmen, bow ye masses..") are placed under enchantment and required to vote as the fairies' candidate wants. Silly? You bet. And delightful.

Margaret Thatcher was in the audience that evening, which made one of the lines about the sad state of affairs that resulted when "women meddled in politics" especially apropros. I glanced back at that point, and sure enough she was laughing appreciately along with the rest of the audience.