The Social and Political Satire of Gilbert and Sullivan by Bernard Lockett Diss U3A Thursday 6th July 2017

W.S. Gilbert Arthur Sullivan

Bernard Lockett has already given Diss U3A members one entertaining talk on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan but on this occasion, he focused on the social and political satire and played us excerpts from some of the musicals.

In this fascinating talk Diss U3A members were treated to some of the less well known facts about the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The librettist, Gilbert (1836-1911) and composer, Sullivan (1842 – 1900) collaborated on fourteen comic operas. It was Gilbert who created fanciful ‘topsy-turvy’ worlds whilst Sullivan wrote the musical melodies that conveyed the humour and the tragedy of Victorian society. Richard D’Oyly Carte built the Savoy Theatre in 1881, thus sustaining the popularity of their works over the last century. Undoubtedly, the words in these shows were poking fun at establishment figures, the rich, the politicians, the police and the bankers, for example. Gilbert’s words were not malicious; they did, however, reflect on what was wrong in society. For instance, Iolanthe (1883) was firmly on the side of women with Gilbert advocating votes for women. In Ruddigore, Parliament was considered a ‘waste of time’ - it should be replaced ‘with pharaohs!’ Moreover, ‘The House of Lords do nothing in particular, but do it very well.’

As a barrister, Gilbert saw the law was corrupt and he sympathized with the lower classes. Indeed, people came to the musicals to find out who would be next under his microscope! Traditionally the upper classes went to the theatre while the lower classes went to Music Hall. However, everyone went to see Gilbert and Sullivan’s shows. The upper classes preferred the music and ignored the words!

1 HMS Pinafore produced a Captain’s daughter who fell for a ‘common’ sailor, whereas Mikado was not about Japan but about corrupt politicians who happened to be wearing Japanese costume. Before Gilbert died in 1911, he had insisted that the Mikado must always be updated to include political changes – the essence of his satirical writing.

Gilbert and Sullivan operas are popular in many parts of the world. Examples in Europe are, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden and Russia. While Sullivan was knighted by Queen Victoria, Gilbert had to wait until Edward VIII’s reign for his knighthood, not for his achievements in opera, but for ‘services to law.’

Gilbert and Sullivan’s shows are still performed worldwide by amateur and professional theatre groups. Norwich Theatre Royal will be hosting the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company productions of the Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore in September (14th – 16th).

Next meeting of Diss U3A

Thursday 3rd August

10.30 am in the United Reform Church, Diss.

The guest speaker will be Tania Harrington whose talk will be about:

Girl Power – A History of Art through Women

Tea and coffee are provided before the talk. For further information on Diss U3A please visit the website: www.dissu3a.org.uk

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