In 1884 when ‘Princess Ida’ their latest Operetta for the D’Oyle
Carte Company fails to ignite audiences like their previous hits it looks like the celebrated duo Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert’s run of success may be finally over. Sullivan, although newly knighted by Queen Victoria, is depressed and ill decamps to Europe vowing never to compose light opera piece again, whilst Gilbert his stubborn partner presses on writing another libretto for their next piece.
Carte Company fails to ignite audiences like their previous hits it looks like the celebrated duo Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert’s run of success may be finally over. Sullivan, although newly knighted by Queen Victoria, is depressed and ill decamps to Europe vowing never to compose light opera piece again, whilst Gilbert his stubborn partner presses on writing another libretto for their next piece. When the two meet again there is a stalemate in their discussions as neither will change his mind about writing another ‘topsy turvy’ scenario where the world always ends up being turned upside down. Meanwhile Gilbert’s much-neglected wife who is always looking for ways to get some small attention from her inconsiderate husband, drags him along to an Exhibition of Japanese Culture being staged. This is quite a novelty in Victorian London and an eye-opener for the rather staid Gilbert and it inspires him to break his traditional writing pattern, and pen what will become known as ‘The Mikado’ and his and Sullivan’s most successful operetta ever.
The rest of the movie is about the setting up, rehearsals and all the back stage dramas behind the presentation of this musical play about an exotic Japan mounted by some very decidedly un-exotic turn-of-the-century English theater people. It’s a wonderful true story and as it has been interpreted and embellished by the acclaimed Brit filmmaker Mike Leigh you know it was evolved through improvisation and collaboration as is his style. One of the hallmarks of his movies is that you know that the very talented British cast have rehearsed for months until they were literally totally immersed in their parts which in this instance in particular really makes this whole ensemble piece such a sheer delight. It’s a rich period in British musical theater and Leigh extracts all the comedy and pathos of Victorian society with such glorious relish.
The fun-loving pleasure-seeking ladies man Sullivan is desperate to be recognised as a composer of serious music (which is never going to happen) is played by veteran actor Allan Corduner. Whilst the austere righteous WS Gilbert who appears for the most part impervious to anyone else feelings, especially those of his wife’s is equally brilliantly played by Jim Broadbent ( who would go on to win a Oscar 2 years later). In fact the entire very large cast (including a glorious Timothy Spall as The Mikado) ….. chorus and all, are completely splendid.I re-watched this movie from 1999 as it has always been one of my favorite Leigh movies, but I am evidently in a minority on this When it opened it received favorable reviews but didn’t really find its audience especially in the US where it won 2 Oscars (for costume + make up design) but never fully recovered its production costs. That is an immense shame as not only as this has appeal to aficionados of British period costume dramas and also those of musical theater too, it is a magnificent production of a deliciously funny movie.
Labels: 1999, biopic, British, comedy, drama, musical, Oscar Winner
