ABSTRACT
To neither Sullivan nor Gilbert did Thespis bring the revelation of a change of destiny. Neither perceived that the partnership was to revolutionize their artistic lives – and their incomes. It was to be over three years before they rejoined forces, not on their own initiative but on that of Richard D’Oyly Carte. Gilbert meanwhile commonly brought out three or four plays a year – including, at the Criterion Theatre in 1874, a one-acter (with a few interpolated songs) called Topsyturvydom, set in an imaginary kingdom and exhibiting the ideas of paradox and role-reversal which were later so familiar.
Quop. Tomorrow our monarch attains his majority. Born at the age of 80, he is now 59, and the event is to be celebrated with the usual tokens of rejoicing. Is all prepared to do honour to this auspicious occasion?
Crambo. Everything – the streets are to be draped in black – medicines are to be distributed gratuitously to the poor – tenpence in the pound will be put upon the income tax, and all the operating theatres of the hospitals will be thrown open to the public.
