The Gilbert and Sullivan Newsletter Archive

GILBERTIAN GOSSIP

No 4 -- March 1976     Edited by Michael Walters



THINGS SAID AT G & S REHEARSALS.

1. MD. to chorus in "Gondoliers": - "We’ll go from 'Fate in this has put his finger' do you all know where I mean?"

2. King Paramount: - "...and moreover I have the ground plans and sexual elevations of several capital punishments...."

3. PRODUCER to Gen. Stanley: - "General Stanley, you are supposed to be paternal to your daughters."

GEN. STANLEY: - "What I do on stage is your business, what I do off it is mine."

4. HILDEBRAND: - "... how is this posterity to be provided?" PSYCHE (chipping in) "Test tubes". IDA: - "I never thought of that."

5. PROMPT (to Rose Maybud, who had "dried") "Keep no one in unnecessary suspense."

6. ALEXIS: - It can hardly be necessary to assure you that any wife of your mother's is a father of mine."

LEILA MACKINLAY on Gilbert & Sullivan — The following snippet appeared in Amateur Stage, March 1972; a bit old now, but I have only just found the scrap of paper I scribbled it on. Comments? [There were none! MPW 1998] "It does seem as though revivals of these [musical comedies] could be greatly enhanced if the dances were made more elaborate, whilst keeping, of course, to the period of the show. And when they are non-copyright, such as G & S, why not cut the words of certain numbers and turn them into dances? This would seem particularly apt for Iolanthe where a ballet would add to the pleasures".



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