The Theatre Royal, Jersey hosted one of the D'Oyly Carte Opera's touring Companies under the enterprising skills of owner William Wybert Rousby. Purchasing the theatre in 1868 after acting under previous manager Henry Cornwall (who built the theatre in 1865), Rousby introduced a varied programme of comedy, drama, farce and grand and comic opera. The theatre had already hosted the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1880 and 1882 for their productions of <i>H.M.S. Pinafore</i> and <i>Patience</i>, respectively.
Every new opera by Gilbert and Sullivan opera was a hugely popular event in London, and Richard D'Oyly Carte ensured nation-wide exposure to their works by touring them around the country with specially-formed touring companies. <i>The Yeomen of the Guard</i> had opened at the Savoy Theatre on 3rd October 1888 and was still running there successfully when this touring company took it to Jersey in summer 1889.