* ToughActToFollow: As suggested above, the fact that ''Ruddigore'' came directly after ''Theatre/TheMikado'', Creator/GilbertAndSullivan's greatest hit (in their own time, at least) meant that to many it seemed like a failure in comparison. It was actually fairly profitable in its original run and Gilbert commented he could do with a few more such failures.
* VindicatedByHistory: ''Ruddigore'' didn't do too well at its initial run but this was mostly because ''The Mikado'' was a very tough act to follow. However the work did enjoy some success later in the run. Unfortunately it was either [[Theatre/HMSPinafore never or else hardly ever]] revived during Gilbert's lifetime. It was however restored to the canon in the 1920s where it has remained ever since, and if anything it has grown in popularity since the close of the D'Oyly Carte company.


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