Showing results for "W.S. Gilbert" in All Categories

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

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

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, ...

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 ...

A drama from the Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. Pursued by the Parliamentary Army after the Battle of Worcester, some Royalist soldiers take cover in Dan'l Druce's hut on the Norfolk Coast until they can escape. An event with long shadows that come back to disturb his life fourteen years later. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Sir Jasper Combe, a Royalist Colonel: Andrew James Dan'l Druce: Adrian Stephens Reuben Haines, a Royalist Sergeant: Alan Mapstone Geoffrey Wynyard, a Merchant Sailor: Tomas Peter Marple: ToddHW Joe Ripley, a Fisherman: Son of the Exiles Sergeant of the Parliamentary Army...

In this captivating recording, one narrator brings to life the entire play, embodying all characters and stage directions. Even without Arthur Sullivan’s enchanting music and the dynamic performances of actors, the delightful absurdity of Gilbert’s libretto shines through. The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is a comic opera in two acts that tells the whimsical tale of Frederic, who, upon turning 21, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He encounters Mabel, the charming daughter of Major-General Stanley, and they fall deeply in love. However, ...

Dive into the whimsical world of Gilbert and Sullivans Topsy Turvy with Gondoliers! When the King of Barataria mysteriously disappears, were taken on a delightful journey through Venice, where two gondoliers—both unaware of their royal lineage—find themselves at the center of a comedic conundrum. As their wives clamor for the truth and the Grand Inquisitor arrives, hilarity ensues when it becomes clear that neither gondolier wants to abandon their beloveds for a life of luxury. With three wives and two husbands entangled in a ridiculous predicament, the notion of marrying a vulgar fraction...

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 ...

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.

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.

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 ...

Lord Gilbert Marford is in disgrace. He joined the Hussars to stay out of trouble. Instead, he quarrelled with half his fellow officers, seduced the wives of three of them, got himself shot in a duel, and sustained an injury that might end his career. Now he’s being sent home like a naughty schoolboy, and he’s not happy about it. So when an opportunity arises to run away, he’s not about to let a little snow stop him.

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...

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.

Explore the intricate tapestry of human emotions and relationships in "Gretchen," a podcast that delves into the themes of mystery, love, and the complexities of identity. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that invites listeners into stories where characters grapple with their pasts and the enigmatic figures who shape their destinies. The title suggests a haunting presence, inspiring a collection of narratives that examine the intersection of longing and loss, as well as the shadows cast by unresolved connections. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that...

LISTINGS: The Sphinx Without a Secret by Oscar Wilde. Mr & Mrs Dove by Katherine Mansfield. Angela by W.S. Gilbert. Perilous Play by Louisa May Alcott. The Singing Lesson by Katherine Mansfield. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion by Thomas Hardy. Genefer by Sabine Baring-Gould. The...

Step into the whimsical world of The Mikado, the beloved ninth collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan. Premiering in 1885, this enchanting musical became a theatrical sensation, boasting the second-longest run of its time and earning its title as the most frequently performed work of Gilbert and Sullivan. W. S. Gilbert later adapted it into a delightful childrens book, The Story of The Mikado, which stands as his final literary contribution, published posthumously. This charming retelling simplifies the original tale, making it accessible and engaging for young readers, with Gilberts ...

Dive into the delightfully whimsical world of Pinafore, where the hilarity of this 1908 childrens adaptation of the classic 1878 Gilbert and Sullivan operetta comes to life! With wit and charm, Gilbert himself crafts this version, ensuring that both adults and children will find themselves in stitches. Prepare for a laugh-out-loud experience that resonates with the playful spirit of the original story. - Summary by David Wales

WS Gilbert – The Bab Ballads. Before Gilbert was part of the famous Gilbert & Sullivan opera team, he wrote light verse that was very odd but arrived at a logical conclusion...we think! Luckily, the joyous Stanley Holloway is on hand to read and make sense of it all.

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.