There are a few possible prerequisites for enjoying this rather specialized movie - 1) you are an aficionado of Gilbert & Sullivan, &/or 2) you have an interest in the theater and its workings, &/or 3) you have a historical interest in Victorian England. If you fall into any of these slots, don't miss this entirely captivating film, now out on video, which captures more effectively than any other I've seen the flavor of late 19th century Britain, from dress to manners & speech. Fans of Gilbert & Sullivan will find that the movie is extremely accurate regarding the historical details of their partnership. My one quibble is with the quality of the operetta excerpts that are shown actually being performed - they are extremely wooden and unhumorous, which is unforgivable for G&S operetta (would that the late D'Oyly Carte Company had been involved with the stagings). Broadbent and Corduner are near-perfect as Gilbert the librettist and Sullivan the composer, not only in physical resemblance but to what we know of their personalities. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie & highly recommend it to those in the 3 listed categories; others will doubtless fall asleep in the first 20 minutes.
Review of Topsy-Turvy
