Winner of the Ottawa Critics' Circle Award as Best Play of the Year.
Sullivan and Gilbert was first produced by The National Theatre of Canada and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and features over 15 Gilbert and Sullivan songs. The story takes us behind-the-scenes at the Savoy Theatre for an eventful day in the life of Victorian England's most famous composer and librettist.
Now at the end of their illustrious careers, William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan are preparing to put on a command performance for the Queen of England. But all is not well backstage – Sullivan has been ill and has missed most of the rehearsals; and now the poor man is in love with a young singer of whom Gilbert disapproves.
What could go wrong? If you’re singing songs from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore, it’s hard to imagine.
Reviews
"Brilliantly written! Sullivan and Gilbert is a delightful journey into the behind-the-scenes world of the famous songwriting partners."
- Cape Cod Times, June, 2008
"A charming show."
- Boston Globe
"A warm, and affectionate behind the scenes look at this tempestuous, hilarious relationship."
- Middlesex News
"For fans of the duo's music, Sullivan and Gilbert is a must-see."
- Contra Coasta Times
Original Cast and Creative Team
SULLIVAN & GILBERT was presented by The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The National Arts Centre of Canada and Gemstone Productions during 1988 at The National Arts Centre of Canada, The St. Lawrence Center for the Arts (Toronto) and The Eisenhower Theatre at The Kennedy Center. It was directed by Leon Major; choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge; the set was designed by Phillip Silver; the costumes were designed by Martha Mann; the lighting was by Peter McKinnon; the musical director was Glenn Morley; the associate musical director was Melody McShane; and the stage manager was Pat Thomas.
The cast, in order of appearance, was as follows:
WILLIAM S. GILBERT—Fritz Weaver; SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN—Noel Harrison; LUCY TURNER (Kitty) GILBERT—Kate Trotter; DURWARD LELY—Daniel Marcus; COURTICE POUNDS—Greg Bond; RUTLAND BARRINGTON —Philip Booth; SYBIL GREY—Lisa Vroman; JESSIE BOND— Leslie Toy; ROSINA BRANDRAM—Christina James; RICHARD D'OYLY CARTE—Graham Harley; FRANCOIS CELLIER—Glenn Morley; VIOLET RUSSELL—Donna English; ALFRED, DUKE OF EDINBURGH—Edward Duke; GEORGE GROSSMITH—Walter Hudson; MASTER CARPENTER —Timothy Cruickshank; MISTRESS OF WARDROBE—Susan Cuthbert; MISTRESS OF WARDROBE—Alicia Jeffery; MASTER OF PROPERTIES—David Playfair
Previous productions were presented by the American Stage Festival, StageArts Theatre Company (Ruth Ann Norris and Nell Robinson) and the Huntington Theatre.