Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Actors: Ashley Artus (actor), Richard Attlee (actor), Matt Bardock (actor), Paul Barnhill (actor), Nick Bartlett (actor), Stefan Bednarczyk (actor), Mark Benton (actor), Julian Bleach (actor), Nicholas Boulton (actor), Jim Broadbent (actor), Simon Butteriss (actor), Wayne Cater (actor), Philippe Constantin (actor), Ron Cook (actor), Jonathan Aris (actor),

Plot: 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.

Keywords: 1880s, 19th-century, abortion, acting, actor, actress, backstage, bare-breasts, brothel, butler
Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical,
Taglines: The egos. The battles. The words. The music. The women. The scandals. Gilbert & Sullivan & So Much More

Quotes:

Gilbert: Madam, I had rather spend an afternoon in a Turkish bath with my mother than visit the dratted dentist.

Helen Lenoir: The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs.

Richard Temple: Laughter, tears, curtain.

Gilbert: [giving notes to the cast after a dress rehearsal] Ko-ko's entrance: Mr. Kent and Mr. Conyngham. Please ensure that you do not flinch at Mr. Grossmith's sword. You must have confidence that he is not about to chop off your heads, even if it may appear that that is your inevitable fate.

Gilbert: There's something inherently disappointing about success.

Gilbert's Father: Am I to understand, sir, that you have been in communication with your mother?::Gilbert: No, Father, not for some considerable time, I'm glad to say.::Gilbert's Father: You are a liar, sir.::Gilbert: No, sir. I can assure you, Papa, that the very last person with whom I wish to have any communication at all is your estranged wife, the vicious woman who bore me into this ridiculous world.::Gilbert's Father: How dare you, sir? Have you no respect?::Gilbert: Don't misunderstand me, Father. Nobody respects her more than I do, and I can't stand the woman.

Gilbert: Oh, for God's sake you pair of bloody harpies - get out, I'm WORKING!

Sullivan: This work with Gilbert is quite simply killing me.::Richard D'Oyly Carte: Working with Gilbert would kill anybody.

Fanny Ronalds: Lady Colin is endeavoring to persuade us to take up smoking. She's writing an article for the Saturday Review. She proposes that nicotine is a gift from the gods, and if men may benefit from its soothing qualities, why then may women not also? My poor daughter now believes that smoking is an extension of the... communion between a woman and her husband.::Sullivan: Will she be smoking a cigarette on her wedding day?::Fanny Ronalds: [laughing] Heaven forfend!

Gilbert's Father: A father should not have to seek permission to visit his own son!::Gilbert: The son shouldn't be expected to be clairvoyant.