Adaptations of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operas have been around since 1908, and they continue through to this day. W.S. Gilbert himself, started adapting them in 1908, with his first children’s book and since then, there’s been many notable adaptations. Children’s books W.S. Gilbert adapted stories from both H.M.S. Pinafore and the Mikado into story books for children. … Read More
Our Boys actress Kate Bishop
Kate Bishop was born in Bristol, 1848. She was a child actress, acting from the age of 15. Although her most famous stage role was as Violet Melrose in H.J. Byron’s Our Boys, she also acted in a trio of new plays – written by W.S. Gilbert. Bishop had a run of Gilbert’s plays during 1871 – acting in Randall’s … Read More
William Gilbert – an early influence on W.S. Gilbert?
In 1861, a 26-year-old W.S. Gilbert began supplementing his income by writing illustrated stories, poems and articles of his own. During this period, his series of illustrated poems, the ‘Bab Ballads’ became increasingly popular. However, W.S. Gilbert also illustrated the poems and short stories for others during this period – including those of his father, William Gilbert. Although William Gilbert … Read More
W.S. Gilbert – Stage Director
W.S. Gilbert wrote several plays and burlesques in his early years, especially whilst with the German Reed’s. It allowed him to develop his personal style and to control all aspects of production. However, it was in the following years that he honed his knowledge of stage direction, by following the likes of James Planché and Tom Robertson. James Planché A … Read More
Thespis – the first collaboration of Gilbert & Sullivan
Thespis was a Christmas entertainment operatic extravaganza, produced by John Hollingshead. He bought together W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan for their first collaboration. John Hollingshead has been the lessee of the Gaiety Theatre since 1868, successfully producing several musical burlesques and operettas. It was also the largest of five London theatres known to show the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, … Read More
The Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre was built in 1864, on the former site of the Lyceum Theatre. Originally established as the Strand Musick Hall, it took four years to become known as the Gaiety Theatre. John Hollingshead Under the management of John Hollingshead, the Gaiety Theatre was known for musical burlesque, pantomime and operetta performances. It was also synonymous with being a … Read More
W.S. Gilbert, writer of Victorian burlesque?
W.S. Gilbert’s first solo success came in 1866. It came about after his friend and mentor, Tom Robertson, was asked to write a pantomime but declined, due to the timescale – two weeks. He recommended Gilbert. The pantomime ‘Dulcamara, or the little duck and the great quack’ was the end result. The pantomime was a Victorian burlesque, based on Gaetano … Read More
W.S. Gilbert and ‘An Old Score’
Following the success of his recent opera burlesques, W.S. Gilbert wrote his first full-length prose – ‘An Old Score’. Described as a 3-act comedy-drama, it was based in part, on his previous 1967 short story, ‘Diamonds’ and on episodes in the lives of Irish engineer and railway contractor William Dargan, and banker John Sadlier. ‘An Old Score’ opened at the … Read More
What colour is your wedding dress?
When it comes to picking the colour of your wedding dress, you’re often driven by three main factors – personal preference, theme and the time of year. However, there is actually a fourth factor you may like to take notice of – the meaning behind the colour. Colours and the meaning behind them, was an important part of the Victorian … Read More
Honouring the natural seasons at Grim’s Dyke
Here at Grim’s Dyke we like to honour the traditional seasons. No, I’m not talking about the seasonal changes in the weather – but that of the humble but oh so important fruit and vegetable seasons! As any keen gardener will know, vegetables that are grown in your garden plots will have specific seasons. Traditionally, this inevitably led to a … Read More