Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh (written by)

Release Date:

14 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

The egos. The battles. The words. The music. The women. The scandals.

Plot:

After Gilbert and Sullivan's latest play is critically panned, the frustrated team threatens to disband until they are inspired to do their masterpiece, "The Mikado."

Plot Keywords:

Gilbert And Sullivan | Gilbert And Sullivan's Princess Ida | Exhibition | Japanese | Cigar Smoking

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Allan Corduner	...	Sir Arthur Sullivan
Dexter Fletcher	...	Louis
Sukie Smith	...	Clothilde
Roger Heathcott	...	Banton
Wendy Nottingham	...	Helen Lenoir
Stefan Bednarczyk	...	Frank Cellier
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Armourer
Timothy Spall	...	Richard Temple (The Mikado)
Francis Lee	...	Butt
William Neenan	...	Cook
Adam Searle	...	Shrimp
Martin Savage	...	George Grossmith (Ko-Ko)
Jim Broadbent	...	W. S. Gilbert
Lesley Manville	...	Lucy Gilbert
Kate Doherty	...	Mrs. Judd

Also Known As:

Mike Leigh Untitled (USA) (working title)
Topsy-Turvy (France) [fr]
Topsy-Turvy (Portugal) [pt]
Topsy-Turvy (Argentina) [es]
Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (Germany) [de]
Topsy-Turvy - O Espetáculo (Brazil) [pt]
Topsy-Turvy - Sottosopra (Italy) [it]
Topsy-Turvy - mullin mallin (Finland) [fi]

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of risque nudity.

Runtime:

160 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French | German | Italian | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Sweden:11 (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:R | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Goldwyn Films

Trivia:

The tower structure on the backdrop of the Mikado set is a painting of the Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a few miles away from Richmond Theatre where the scenes were filmed.

Goofs:

Continuity: Length of Sullivan's cigarette and ash during their lengthy discussion

Quotes:

Lucy Gilbert (Kitty): I do apologize, sir, that neither I nor Schwenck was here to welcome you on your arrival last night.
Gilbert's Father: I do not appreciate being left upon the doorstep like a hawker!
Gilbert: If you'll only take the trouble to press the electric bell, Father, you'll be admitted at once. Is that not so, Pidgeon?
Pidgeon, Gilbert's Houseman: Indeed it is, sir.
Gilbert's Father: I have no intention of placing my life in danger, sir!
Gilbert: How many doorstep deaths have we had thus far, Pidgeon?
Pidgeon, Gilbert's Houseman: None to my certain knowledge, sir.
Gilbert: There you are, Father. The odds would appear to be in your favour.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "British Film Forever: Corsets, Cleavage and Country Houses: The Story of British Costume Drama (#1.4)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

A Wand'ring Minstrel, I

I've no more shots in my locker

Simply put, a brilliant film.

Topsy Turvy captures Gilbert and Sullivan in the midst of a turbulent period in their partnership. Desperate to be taken more seriously as a composer, Arthur Sullivan attempts to renege on the Gilbert and Sullivan contract with the Savoy Theatre. While his partner William S Gilbert struggles to come up with something new to write about. Each man, in a sense, is longing for individual acclaim but they are trapped in an entity neither one can shake. The fame of their collective energies has taken on a life of its own and the theater crowds want more.

The film is mostly the story of a theater production of the Mikado, one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous operas. Director Mike Leigh, notorious for writing on the go, has structured a play within a play to a great delight. Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner are brilliant as Gilbert and Sullivan, and Tim Spall has a wonderful turn as one of the actors, Mr. Temple.

Their is more here than just two playwrights. The entire cast is seen as more than just pieces of a production. From choristers to administrative personnel, Topsy Turvy is alive with characters. One of the best is Gilbert's long-suffering wife Kitty. Bereft of children and saddled with a husband who doesn't show outward affection, Kitty (Lucy) could be a two dimensional afterthought. However, her pain at being childless is wonderfully played by Lesley Manville. It is clear they love each other but neither is capable of articulating that love, very odd for a man who writes for a living.

Filled with humor and grace, Topsy Turvy is one of the best films about acting and a beautiful embrace of all things theatrical.