Cox and Box is first publicly performed at the Adelphi Theatre

Background. Cox and Box was composed by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by F. C. Burnand, based on John Maddison Morton's 1847 farce Box and Cox. It was Sullivan's first successful comic opera. The piece premiered privately in 1866, with a run-through at Burnand's home followed by a performance at Lewis's home. These initial presentations were for invited friends, setting the stage for its public debut.

The Adelphi Performance. The first public performance occurred on 11 May 1867 at the Adelphi Theatre in London. The cast included du Maurier as Box, Quintin Twiss as Cox, and Arthur Cecil as Bouncer. Cecil performed as an amateur under his birth name, Arthur Blunt. This event was noted as a boost for English comic opera, distinguishing it from earlier private charity benefits.

Subsequent 1867 Activities. Following the Adelphi debut, the opera was repeated on 18 May 1867 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration. Another performance occurred at Moray Lodge on 26 April 1867. A charity performance in Manchester on 29 July 1867 featured the overture for the first time. Discussions about a professional production under Thomas German Reed occurred, but he instead commissioned The Contrabandista.