Set in the 1880s, the story of how, during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.

After their last production meets with less-than-stunning reviews, the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan is strained to breaking. Their friends and associates attempt to get them to work together again, which opens the way to The Mikado, one of the duo's greatest successes.—Steve Fenwick <[email protected]>

Although a respectable hit, Gilbert and Sullivan's recent show is routine.Fnding he's run out of musical ideas for Gilbert's predictable stories. Sullivan would rather be composing a full opera, an idea which jeopardises not only the pair's relationship but the future of the D'Oyly Carte stage company which is built on the comic operas. After Mrs. Gilbert persuades her husband to take her to an exhibition of Japanese life, the pair would create their greatest work, The Mikado.—Jeremy Perkins {J-26}