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DVD Description
Over five 30 minute episodes, produced in 2010 for Sky Arts, internationally renowned G&S performer and authority Simon Butteriss explores the topsy turvy world created by W.S Gilbert and so memorably set to music by Arthur Sullivan, through narration, specially filmed dramatic excerpts and conversations with devotees of G&S.
Contributors to the series include Michael Ball, Germaine Greer, Sir Nicholas Hytner, Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Charles Mackerras, Valerie Masterson and Sir Jonathan Miller. It contains archive extracts from performances at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton as well as over sixty staged extracts performed by well loved G&S stars: Victoria Byron, Bruce Graham, Gareth Jones, Charlotte Page, Jill Pert, Oliver White and, of course, Simon Butteriss himself. They are joined by a specially selected chorus and studio orchestra, conducted by Tony Britten, who also produced and directed the series.
Disc 1: Episode 1: If you want to know who we are / Episode 2: The very models of the modern major musical / Episode 3: Monarchs of all they Savoy / Episode 4: Night after night to the wicked Theayter / Episode 5: Deputy Deities
Disc 2: Bonus Disc: A Salaried Wit – Grossmith, Gilbert and Sullivan
Contributors to the series include Michael Ball, Germaine Greer, Sir Nicholas Hytner, Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Charles Mackerras, Valerie Masterson and Sir Jonathan Miller. It contains archive extracts from performances at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton as well as over sixty staged extracts performed by well loved G&S stars: Victoria Byron, Bruce Graham, Gareth Jones, Charlotte Page, Jill Pert, Oliver White and, of course, Simon Butteriss himself. They are joined by a specially selected chorus and studio orchestra, conducted by Tony Britten, who also produced and directed the series.
Disc 1: Episode 1: If you want to know who we are / Episode 2: The very models of the modern major musical / Episode 3: Monarchs of all they Savoy / Episode 4: Night after night to the wicked Theayter / Episode 5: Deputy Deities
Disc 2: Bonus Disc: A Salaried Wit – Grossmith, Gilbert and Sullivan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
It was with a degree of caution that I purchased this DVD. I feared that it might be little more than an "idiot's guide" to G&S, but while it is undoubtedly a useful introduction to the Savoy Operas, it is rather more academic and insightful in its approach than I had anticipated. This is due in no large part to the writer and host, Simon Butteriss, who leads us genially through the story of G&S and makes more perceptive observations along the way. In fact, all of the distinguished "talking heads" (ranging from Michael Ball and Germaine Greer to Jonathon Miller and Charles Mackerras) have something interesting to impart. Illustrative excerpts from the operas are given; they are sometimes frustratingly short, as they receive persuasive performances from Mr B. and other regulars at the Buxton G&S Festival, Charlotte Page, Victoria Byron, Jill Pert, Oliver White, Bruce Graham and the late Gareth Jones. The latter two offer us some choice (and surprisingly racy) anecdotes from their time with the old D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. There is an equally illuminating bonus DVD , also written and in this case performed by Mr Butteriss, about George Grossmith, the creator of the great patter roles; this too gains my wholehearted recommendation.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Like another reviewer I was concerned that I (as a G & S buff) might find this trivial and weak. But no: and the main reason is Simon Butteriss, who presents with aplomb and an engaging (if a little camp) personality. What he has to say about the great ill-matched pair is quite scholarly and contains a number of angles new to me. The musical illustrations are well done, by Butteriss and others, and it is entertaining to see the great pseud Jonathan Miller making a fool of himself. Anyone at all interested in G & S should see this. Highly recommended.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Simon Butteress is an enthuiast for Gilbert and Sullivan. His obvious joy and pleasure in the operas comes over in these programmes. Simon weaves a facinating story of the two (or four men) responsible for these famous shows.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very enjoyable excerpts throughout
Gilbert & Sullivan - A Motley Pair [DVD]
Gilbert & Sullivan : A Motley Pair reviews the history of G&S performances and audiences then looks at current and future issues for... Read more
Gilbert & Sullivan : A Motley Pair reviews the history of G&S performances and audiences then looks at current and future issues for... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mrs. Felicity M. Stanton
A Timely Reminder of a National Treasure
This highly enjoyable set of five 30min programmes by Simon Butteriss helps to dispel the myth that Gilbert & Sullivan's operas were simply cosy comedies for the upper-classes. Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Devereux
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