Gilbert and Sullivan
At the height of Gilbert and Sullivan's powers in the late 19th Century, the Savoy Theatre in London was built by impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte specifically to stage their works. Their cultural impact is undeniable and their surreal comedy musicals are still loved today. Below is Alice's collection of their works committed to celluloid, along with Mike Leigh's tribute 'Topsy-Turvy'.
Topsy-Turvy (1999)
7.4/10
Director: Mike Leigh
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall, Allan Corduner, Ron Cook, Lesley Manville
Filmmaker Mike Leigh's ("Secrets & Lies") serio-comic spin on the stormy collaboration of operatic masters William S. Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) and Arth... Read more
The Mikado (1987)
7.7/10
Director: Christopher Renshaw
Starring: Anne-Maree McDonald, Heather Begg, Peter Cousens, Graeme Ewer
Sullivan's ingenious melodic brilliance, derived from his vivid sense of satire, and Gilbert's witty libretto make 'The Mikado' one of the most widely... Read more
The Pirates of Penzance (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Stuart Maunder
Starring: Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, Suzanne Johnston
Peppered with unforgettable melodies and tongue-twisting songs, Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta is one of the most popular ever written. Opera Austral... Read more
HMS Pinafore / Trial by Jury (2005)
Director: Stuart Maunder
Starring: Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, Roxane Hislop, Colette Mann, John Bolton Wood, Tif...
Opera Australia reunites these long-standing stage-mates with two fresh productions and an inspired cast. In this filmed recording, Anthony Warlow, Au... Read more
The Gondoliers (1990)
8.4/10
Director: Brian Macdonald
Starring: David Hosbon, Roger Lemke, Suzanne Johnston
A stylish Australian production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta following the story of two men, recently married, who discover that they are need... Read more
H.M.S. Pinafore (1982)
6/10
Starring: Peter Marshall, Frankie Howerd, Meryl Drower
"Let's give three cheers for the sailor's bride", and for this beloved Gilbert and Sullivan operetta that gently tweaks the British Navy, introduces s... Read more
Iolanthe (1982)
7.2/10
Director: Dave Heather
Starring: Richard Van Allan, Derek Hammond-Stroud
The magical residents of Fairyland interact with Parliaments' House of Lords in this Gilbert and Sullivan creation starring Beverly Mills, Derek Hammo... Read more
The Pirates of Penzance (1982)
6.6/10
Starring: Keith Michell, Alexander Oliver, Peter Allen
"I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General", "Poor Wandering One" and "The Pirate King's Song" are among the popular Gilbert and Sullivan tunes in... Read more
The Yeomen of the Guard (1982)
7.1/10
Starring: Joel Grey, David Hillman, Elizabeth Gale, Alfred Marks
Surrounded by the battlements of the Tower of London, Phoebe Meryll sits brooding over the coming execution of Colonel Fairfax. Only Phoebe's father,... Read more
Ruddigore (1982)
5.9/10
Starring: Vincent Price, John Treleaven, Sandra Dugdale
A witch's curse binds each succeeding Lord of Ruddigore to commit a crime a day... or die. Meantime, in the local fishing village, all the young men a... Read more