History of The Savoy Company
A Philadelphia tradition for over 100 years
Our Origins
Alfred Reginald Allen
In 1901, a young Philadelphia doctor named Alfred Reginald Allen, having enjoyed the works of Gilbert and Sullivan while traveling in England, decided that the operas should be produced in Philadelphia in “the original manner.”
At that time, it was estimated that there were then over one hundred theater groups actively performing H.M.S. Pinafore in the United States, each changing the show in various ways to circumvent copyright laws. Allen believed that these unauthorized productions were ruining the integrity of the material through “modernization,” “colloquial interpolation,” and regional “improvements.” Later that year, Allen, along with his sister and one of her friends, recruited a group of local Philadelphians to perform a “true” G&S opera.
Allen served as the focal point of the group and as the group’s conductor, while his sister and her friends served as the organizational management. Rehearsals were hosted in various members’ homes. Allen was known to rule rehearsals with sarcasm and caustic criticism, which earned him the respect of the group, much like Gilbert had with his own ensemble 25 years earlier.
On May 4th, 1901, Allen and his ensemble presented Trial By Jury at the Merion Cricket Club. The production was such a success that the three original conspirators were moved to form a permanent organization, then known as The Savoy Operas. Members were again solicited and Savoy’s performances of the double bill, Trial By Jury and The Sorcerer were revived on December 6th and 7th of the same year at St. James Hall, located at 38th and Market Street. Two weeks later, on December 21st, Savoy gave its first benefit performance at the Manheim (now Germantown) Cricket Club for Germantown Hospital and reprised their double bill. Thus, a unique and noble tradition was born.
These performances were not only an artistic success but a boon for the local social scene, as Savoy’s membership was comprised of many prominent and well-known Philadelphia families. “The Richest and Most Fashionable Opera Company in the World,” bannered The Philadelphia Press. “Leaders in Philadelphia Society Unite to Give Public Performance” – evidently a combination of Society and Talent that proved irresistible!
In May of 1902, Savoy performed H.M.S. Pinafore under Allen’s baton at the Broad Street Theatre, located on Broad below Locust. Regretfully, this would be Allen’s last performance at the helm as he was forced to resign his conductorship in late November of 1902 as a result of his burgeoning medical practice. Members, having been notified of this unexpected loss in advance, unanimously voted to continue the society-musical association. As a result, The Savoy Company was formally organized on December 20th, 1902.
A Growing Organization
In 1916, local business magnate Pierre S. du Pont invited The Savoy Company to perform Patience at his personal estate of Longwood Gardens onstage at the Open Air Theater. The production was such a success that it became a yearly tradition. In 1923, regular pilgrimages to Longwood Gardens commenced via private train. Shortly thereafter, in 1925, Savoy began its residency at The Academy of Music, Philadelphia, at which point annual performances were presented until 2011.
Philanthropic Mission
Since its inception, a portion of the proceeds from The Savoy Company’s annual performances have supported local charitable organizations. Past beneficiaries include The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia; CAPA, the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts; The Chester Childrens’ Chorus; The American Cancer Society’s Childhood Cancer Program; Associated Services for the Blind; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SEPA; Kennett Area Senior Center; Wharton Esherick Museum; Morris Animal Refuge; Camp Hill in Southeastern Pennsylvania; and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, among many others.
Further, The Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Fund of the University of Pennsylvania also receives an annual contribution. Established by The Savoy Company in 1921 in memory of our founder, the fund supports the acquisition of books and scores for the University’s Otto E. Albrecht Music Library.
Learn More
The Savoy Company is proud to partner with the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, who maintain our archives. A special exhibit was presented through 2016 that focused on the nearly 115 years of Savoy history. The exhibit, entitled “Let Every Heart Be Filled With Joy,” traced the history of The Savoy Company, beginning with its founding in 1901 by Penn alumnus Alfred Reginald Allen.
The exhibit featured posters, programs, and photographs from four representative productions: The Yeoman of the Guard (1908); Utopia Limited, or The Flowers of Progress (1936); The Pirates of Penzance (1967); and H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved a Sailor (1997).