Showing results by author "W.S. Gilbert" in All Categories

A collection of the funny, curious verse written during the 19th and 20th centuries, read by some of Britain's most renowned actors. Humorous and whimsical verse are collated together in these timeless readings of poetry from our funniest writers. Performed by Sir John Gielgud; Imogen Stubbs; Tim Pigott-Smith; Peter Orr; Wendy Hillier.

Frederick is freed of his indentures to the ferociously temperate Pirates of Penzance. What will he do with his newfound freedom?

A great collection of short stories based on the theme of love. Stories by famous writers including Katherine Mansfield and Oscar Wilde.

King Claudius, when a young man, wrote a five-act tragedy which was damned, and all reference to it forbidden under penalty of death. The King has a son - Hamlet - whose tendency to soliloquize has so alarmed his mother, Queen Gertrude, that she has sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to devise some Court revels for his entertainment. Rosencrantz is a former lover of Ophelia, to whom Hamlet is betrothed, and they lay their heads together to devise a plan by which Hamlet may be put out of the way. Some Court theatricals are in preparation.

Dive into the whimsical world of The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty, a delightful comic opera crafted by the brilliant duo of Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert. Join Frederic, who, upon turning 21, is unexpectedly released from his apprenticeship to a band of kind-hearted pirates. His heart soon leads him to Mabel, the charming daughter of Major-General Stanley, and their love story unfolds with comedic twists. However, Frederic discovers a peculiar snag his birthday only comes every leap year on February 29. Bound by an unwitting commitment to the pirates for another 63 years, ...

Dive into the whimsical world of H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor, a delightful comic opera penned by the brilliant duo of Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert. Premiering in London on May 25, 1878, this enchanting tale captivated audiences for an impressive 571 performances, marking it as a milestone in musical theatre history. Though this isnt the opera itself, it is a charming adaptation by Gilbert titled The Story of HMS Pinafore, or The Pinafore Picture Book, featuring enchanting illustrations by Alice B. Woodward. Here, you’ll find Gilberts clever prose and poetry, ...

In this captivating recording, a single narrator brings to life the entire play, embodying all characters and even the stage directions. While the absence of Arthur Sullivan’s enchanting music and the flair of live actors may alter the experience, the delightful absurdity of Gilbert’s libretto shines through, providing endless entertainment. The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu is a comic opera in two acts, crafted by the brilliant duo of Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert, marking their ninth of fourteen operatic collaborations. Premiering on March 14, 1885, in London, the production enjoyed...

In this recording, one person reads the entire play, all parts, including the stage directions. Even without the support of Arthur Sullivan’s music and the interpretation of actors, the consummate silliness of Gilbert’s libretto entertains. H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It opened at the Opera Comique in London, England, on 25 May 1878 and ran for 571 performances, which was the second-longest run of any musical theatre piece up to that time. H.M.S. Pinafore was Gilbert and ...

Step into the world of Danl Druce, a humble blacksmith caught in the crossfire of history. After the Battle of Worcester, Royalist soldiers seek refuge in his secluded hut on the Norfolk Coast, hiding from the relentless Parliamentary Army. As the echoes of their choices reverberate through the years, Danls life is forever altered by the shadows of that fateful encounter, returning to haunt him fourteen years later. Join us for a gripping tale of loyalty, courage, and the unforeseen consequences of war. - Summary by ToddHW

Dive into a lesser-known work by the renowned Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, as he steps away from the comedic realm to explore deeper themes in this dramatic play. Broken Hearts unfolds on The Island of Broken Hearts, where Prince Florian of Spain encounters a group of maidens who, bound by their shared sorrow, have sworn off love after experiencing profound loss. With enchanting fairies and a touch of magic, this poignant narrative reveals the resilience of the human spirit and showcases Gilberts remarkable ability to tackle serious subject matter. Join us on this emotional journey of...

Welcome to the whimsical town of Titipu, where flirting could lead to a death sentence at the hands of the Mikado himself! But what unfolds when the Lord High Executioner finds himself facing execution? And what secrets does the wandering minstrel Nanki-Poo keep that draw the Mikado and his entourage to witness his fate? Premiering in 1885, The Mikado shattered records as the longest-running musical and continues to reign as one of Gilbert & Sullivans most beloved operettas. With themes of love and death wrapped in a humorous critique of British politics—set against an (ostensibly) Japanese ...

Step into the whimsical world of Iolanthe, where magic and politics collide in a delightful tale of love and ambition. Our enchanting protagonist, Iolanthe, a fairy exiled from her realm for marrying a mortal, has a son named Strephon who is part fairy, part human. As he navigates the complexities of love for Phyllis—who has caught the eye of the entire House of Lords, including the Lord High Chancellor—Strephon takes a bold step into Parliament with the support of his mother and her mischievous fairy aunts. Though they may lack political savvy, their enchanting presence promises to shake ...

Stanley Holloway reads a selection of Gilbert's Bab Ballads, the light verse which when published were accompanied by his own comic drawings.

There is something about the number 3. The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two. Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating.

Dive into Sweethearts, an evocative play subtitled An Original Dramatic Contrast. Follow the journey of two neighbors, Harry and Jenny, as they part ways in Act 1, only to reunite 30 years later in Act 2 after Harrys return from India. Experience the emotional twists and turns of their lives across decades. - Summary by ToddHW

Dive into the whimsical world of Patience, a delightful comic operetta that cleverly satirizes fashion, pretension, and the phenomenon of hero-worship. Follow the story of Bunthorne, a poet who adopts an exaggeratedly idealized persona to win the admiration of the ladies around him. All are enraptured by his charm, except for Patience, the unassuming dairy maid who holds his heart. The plot thickens with the arrival of Grosvenor, a rival whose charisma and poetic flair outshine Bunthornes. As the women flock to Grosvenor, Bunthorne resorts to cursing him with poor fashion sense and weight gain...

This is the sweet story of a paralyzed man in Venice who sees out of his window a young girl across the way. Unbeknownst to her, she brightens his days over the course of several years, and he begins to fall in love with her. One day he throws out a flower into the canal between them to say "good morning", and she responds in kind. They still haven't spoken a word, but his heart is lifted. Until, that is, the young maid grows up, and the gondolier boys start calling on her.

Dive into the whimsical world of the Bab Ballads, a delightful collection of light verse crafted by the ingenious W. S. Gilbert, complete with his own charming illustrations. Long before he achieved fame for his comic opera librettos in collaboration with Arthur Sullivan, Gilbert was honing his craft with these Ballads, characterized by his signature topsy-turvy style. Here, he masterfully sets up absurd scenarios and explores their ludicrous outcomes, all while weaving in his trademark cynicism and satire. The Bab Ballads not only stand on their own as a remarkable literary achievement but ...

The Bab Ballads is a delightful collection of light verse crafted by the talented W. S. Gilbert, featuring his own whimsical comic illustrations. Written before he gained fame for his iconic comic opera librettos with Arthur Sullivan, these Ballads showcase Gilberts innovative topsy-turvy style, where absurd premises lead to hilariously logical consequences. Infused with his signature cynicism and sharp satire, the Ballads not only captivated audiences on their own but also served as a rich source for characters, plot elements, and songs that would later appear in Gilbert and Sullivans operas....