Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Set in the 1880s, the story of how, during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Stars:

Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Dexter Fletcher

Won 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Allan Corduner	...	Arthur Sullivan
Dexter Fletcher	...	Louis
Sukie Smith	...	Clothilde
Roger Heathcott	...	Stage Doorkeeper
Wendy Nottingham	...	Helen Lenoir
Stefan Bednarczyk	...	Frank Cellier
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Armourer
Timothy Spall	...	Richard Temple
Francis Lee	...	Butt
Bill Neenan	...	Cook (as William Neenan)
Adam Searle	...	Shrimp
Martin Savage	...	George Grossmith
Jim Broadbent	...	William Schwenck Gilbert
Lesley Manville	...	Lucy Gilbert (Kitty)
Kate Doherty	...	Mrs. Judd

Storyline

After their production "Princess Ida" meets with less-than-stunning reviews, the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan is strained to breaking. Their friends and associates attempt to get the two to work together again, which opens the way to "The Mikado," one of the duo's greatest successes.

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Plot Keywords:

creative differences | light opera | savoy theatre london | opera company | japanese exhibition | 

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Taglines:

Gilbert & Sullivan & So Much More

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | History | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of risque nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most modern recordings and performances of the Mikado's solo, "A More Humane Mikado" feature a bloodthirsty laugh between the verses. This touch was added by Darrell Fancourt, a D'Oyly Carte performer from 1920-1953, and has been copied ever since - which is why the laugh is not performed by Richard Temple.

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Goofs

This well known quote from the film is a factual mistake: "If you wish to write a Grand Opera about a prostitute, dying of consumption in a garret, I suggest you contact Mr Ibsen in Oslo. I am sure he will be able to furnish you with something suitably dull". The city of Oslo got the name in 1925 - a long time after Ibsen's death in 1906. During Ibsen's lifetime, the capital of Norway was called Kristiania.

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Quotes

Lucy Gilbert (Kitty): I do apologize, sir, that neither I nor Schwenck was here to welcome you on your arrival last night.
Gilbert's Father: I do not appreciate being left upon the doorstep like a hawker!
Gilbert: If you'll only take the trouble to press the electric bell, Father, you'll be admitted at once. Is that not so, Pidgeon?
Pidgeon, Gilbert's Houseman: Indeed it is, sir.
Gilbert's Father: I have no intention of placing my life in danger, sir!
Gilbert: How many doorstep deaths have we had thus far, Pidgeon?
Pidgeon, Gilbert's Houseman: None to my certain knowledge, sir.
Gilbert: There you are, Father. The odds would appear to be in ...

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Connections

Referenced in The 007 Fragrance: Case Study (2013)

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Soundtracks

Three Little Maids from School Are We
(1885)
from "The Mikado"
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert
Performed by Dorothy Atkinson, Shirley Henderson and Cathy Sara

User Reviews

A Sumptuous Cinematic Treat

TOPSY-TURVY, director Leigh's spectacularly entertaining look at the lives and times of the nineteenth-century British duo that gave the world such musical treasures as The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore. Leigh's film finds G & S in 1884 at a creative impasse following the disappointing reception of their new flop operetta, Princess Ida. Sullivan (Allan Corduner), tired of writing music for the increasingly trite and repetitive librettos of Gilbert (Jim Broadbent), wants to give up their lucrative partnership and write "serious" grand opera. But when an exhibition of Japanese art and culture travelling through London inspires Gilbert to begin writing The Mikado, both men see the opportunity to create something unique and extraordinary. Praise for this stunning film must extend from top to bottom, beginning to end. The music, of course, is wonderful and ever present. The costumes, sets and cinematography are exemplary in their attention to atmosphere and detail. Leigh's script and direction not only bring the period to life, but make it crackle with drama, wit, and social comment. And the performances are fabulous, notably the magnificent Broadbent as mercurial Gilbert; Corduner, warm and charming as the more sweet-natured Sullivan; and Leigh regular Timothy Spall (SECRETS & LIES) as a veteran actor fearful that his big number may be cut. This is quite simply one of the most vastly entertaining, joyous and fascinating films ever made about the creative process. I actually saw it twice within a three-day period and wasn't bored for one second of either viewing!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French German Italian Japanese

Release Date:

11 February 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mike Leigh Untitled

Filming Locations:

Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,387, 19 December 1999

Gross USA:

$6,208,548

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,208,548

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldwyn Films, Newmarket Capital Group, The Greenlight Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

160 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1