Topsy-Turvy

In late 19th century London Gilbert and Sullivan experience a crisis in their hitherto fruitful partnership which has produced a series of popular comic opera. Sullivan, the composer, insists on writing serious music and accuses Gilbert, the writer, of repeating himself.

In contrast to director and scriptwriter Mike Leigh's previous films, Topsy-Turvy is set in the past. Leigh's go at the heritage genre is only partly successful.

In the first part of the film the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan is in the forefront, but gradually the emphasis shifts to the minor characters and the rehearsals of The Mikado. As the dramatic power of the film resides in the relationship between the two main characters, most of the scenes in the second half of the film are bound to seem superfluous and overlong unless you are an ardent lover of Gilbert and Sullivan.