Gilbert and Sullivan: A Biography

Given as gift. Nise to be in paperback so cheaper. Person really pleased with it.

What a shame this book is currently out of print! A slim volume written in the 1930's in a punchy, readable style. You can tell that the film "Topsy Turvy" was based at least in part on the insights into the characters of Gilbert and Sullivan revealed in this lovely little book. Who would have thought that Lewis Carroll, after imploring Sullivan to set some of his poems (in the Alice books) to music, without success, would have retaliated by rebuking Gilbert in public for using the word "damn" in his lyrics? And who would have expected that a dispute about whether the cost of a new carpet in the auditorium should be charged to the production, would have caused a furious argument that split asunder the team of Gilbert, Sullivan and d'Oyly Carte? All biographies should be written like this.

Old fashioned as Hesketh Pearson died many years ago so a little short on the personal private lives of G &S, but on the other hand he was nearer in time to their period and would have personaly known many Victorians. And there is nothing like knowing people from a certain culture to understand it yourself. You never can really pick it up from just reading about it. Very well written, self assured and fun. A great introduction to the lives of Gilbert and Sullivan, who were so different that they could have written an operetta about themselves.

The narrative is well written and most interesting. It has obviously been well researched and discloses many previously unknown facts about the subjects.

The very model of a G&S biography

Excellent read

Didn't realise the copy was that old. No problem. It's very readable.

An absolutely brilliant biography and an ideal introduction to G & S;