The Savoy Theatre opens with the opening night of Iolanthe and at the opening, Carte demonstrates the safety of the theatre's innovative electric lighting.
At that performance, Carte stepped onstage and broke a glowing lightbulb before the audience to demonstrate the safety of the new technology. The Savoy finally opened on 10 October 1881. The first generator proved too small to power the whole building, and though the entire front-of-house was electrically lit, the stage was lit by gas until 28 December 1881. 
