George Dance (1857-1932) and Frank Desprez (1853-1916) were both prominent contributors to nineteenth-century theater. The England-born talents held different roles including journalists and editors but thrived as playwrights. Some of Dance's work includes Ma mie Rosette, The Gay Parisienne and A Chinese Honeymoon, while Desprez wrote La fille de Madame Angot, A Private Wire and Quite an Adventure. In 1891, they would eventually collaborate on the successful comic opera, The Rajah of Chutneypore.

The romance between a dancer and a young royal is thwarted due to classism and politics. The Rajah of Chutneypore, by George Dance and Frank Desprez, was a live comedy first performed in 1891. It centers several ambitious characters eager to subvert tradition to achieve their personal and professional goals.