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Book Review By John Van der Kiste
W.S. Gilbert: A Classic Victorian and His Theatre by Jane W. Stedman

W.S. Gilbert: A Classic Victorian and his Theatre
Jane W. Stedman
Oxford University Press, 1996
ISBN: 0198161743

Though Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) is best remembered as the writer of the libretti of the ‘Savoy Operas' with Sir Arthur Sullivan, he also enjoyed a very long and successful career in the Victorian theatre first as a writer of pantomimes, then a large number of plays, both comedies and serious drama, and pantomimes. He was also a prolific journalist and produced several volumes of poems, notably the comic ‘Bab Ballads'. His output was considerable; in the 1870s ALONE, before he embarked on his regular collaborations with Sullivan, including ‘HMS Pinafore', ‘The Pirates of Penzance', and ‘The Mikado', he was responsible for over 30 plays.

This biography looks at his life and work with and without Sullivan. It also provides a sympathetic portrait of a perfectionist, who had a hasty temper and could undoubtedly be difficult to work with. For instance, ‘the carpet quarrel' was a trivial dispute which grew out of all proportion and led to his temporarily severing professional and personal relations with Sullivan and the impresario who helped them to success, Richard D'Oyly Carte.


Plot & Themes
job/profession:
Job/profession/poverty story Yes
Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899

Subject of Biography
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - British

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion
Century: - 19th century

Writing Style
Book makes you feel? - thoughtful
Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot 11-15 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book
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