GILBERT: His Life and Strife

by Hesketh Pearson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 8, 1957

Further preferential treatment by the author of many and varied biographies isolates and expands the story told in Gilbert and Sullivan (1935) through permission to use hitherto unreleased letters and diaries, and amplifies the life of the Victorian librettist and playwright through all his crotchety career. William Schwenck Gilbert's bristling, dictatorial, sometimes bilious nature is revealed through his peppery correspondence, threats of lawsuits, appearances in court, and his ability to be ""never too busy for kindness or a quarrel"" comes through in many episodes related to his theatrical, financial, domestic and personal life. From law to the writing of pantomimes and extravaganzas, and to his skyrocketing fame with Sullivan -- and its many subsequent pitfalls and recriminations, the bickerings with D'Oyly Carte, Edwards, with actors and actresses, and, in his later life, with community issues -- the querulousness here is allied to his own punctiliousness, precision -- and quick temper. Productions are examined for their ability to display his character, his relationship with his contemporaries, his keen sense of business, his contributions toward raising the standards of the theatre, actors and management, and for their own contributions in freeing the theatre from its rigid hide-boundaries. As always, Mr. Pearson has his eye -- and ear -- keyed to his subject's striking manifestations and thereby quickens his portraiture. For that very captivated audience or more savoir faire for the Savoyard.

Pub Date: Jan. 8, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1957

Categories: NONFICTION