Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Allan Corduner: Arthur Sullivan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gilbert : Every theatrical performance is a contrivance by its very nature.

  Sullivan : Yes, but this piece consists entirely of an artificial and implausible situation.

  Gilbert : If you wish to write a Grand Opera about a prostitute, dying of consumption in a garret, I suggest you contact Mr Ibsen in Oslo. I am sure he will be able to furnish you with something suitably dull.

• Sullivan : [proposing a toast]  To the Savoy Hotel.

  Richard D'Oyly Carte : The Savoy Hotel.

  Sullivan : With its seventy bathrooms.

  Richard D'Oyly Carte : The builder was much bemused. "What's the point of having a bathroom to every bedroom? Who's going to be staying there, amphibians?"

• Fanny Ronalds : Lady Colin is irresistible. She cannot conceive why the Irish are starving when there's lots of good fish in the sea.

  Sullivan : She most probably has a point.

• Fanny Ronalds : Oh, there's good news from Dublin.

  Sullivan : Mm?

  Fanny Ronalds : The Churchills are to return to London.

  Sullivan : Forgiven, but not forgotten.

  Fanny Ronalds : I do hope so. Jenny says Winston is eleven, covered in freckles, and has a total disdain for authority.

• Sullivan : What's this?

  Richard D'Oyly Carte : Pull it.

  [Sullivan does] 

  Richard D'Oyly Carte : It's a reservoir pen. Contains its own ink.

  Sullivan : Good gracious me. Whatever will they think of next?

• Sullivan : Oh, Gilbert! You and your world of topsy-turvydom. In 1881, it was a magic coin; and before that it was a magic lozenge; and in 1877 it was an elixir.

  Gilbert : In this instance it is a magic potion.

• 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!

• Sullivan : [to Mr. Hurley, the bassoonist]  You was late, Mr. 'Urley.

  [laughter] 

• Gilbert : How was your crossing, Sullivan?

  Sullivan : Mercifully smooth, thank you.

  Gilbert : As smooth as D'Oyly Carte?

  [they laugh] 

  Sullivan : No, not quite, Gilbert.

• Sullivan : May I remind you, Helen, that I am not a machine.

  Helen Lenoir : I would not suggest for one moment that you were.

  Sullivan : You all seem to be treating me as a barrel-organ. You have but to turn my handle, and Hey Presto! Out pops a tune.

• Gilbert : I was unable to present you with the libretto until you returned from your Grand Tour of Europe.

  Sullivan : That is neither here nor there.

  Gilbert : No, Sullivan, indeed. I was here and you were there!

• [Frederick Bovill who has the part of Pish-Tush has just sung his part in the trio in a dotted rhythm, when it is in 12 8] 

  Sullivan : Yes, but you see, I have gone to considerable trouble, Mr Bovill, to provide you with triplets. So, if you would care, to triple?