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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'.

The Pirates of Penzance (1983)

7.2/10
Director: Wilford Leach
Starring: Angela Lansbury, Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, George Rose

Frederic (Rex Smith), who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate, plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free from the Pirate King (Kev... 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

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