Topsy-Turvy

Leigh breaks new ground (with some familiar friends) in this loving and lavish salute to the creative process. The film details the 1880s London production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s masterpiece, The Mikado, and joyously illustrates how art can come from personalities at odds. In this case, those personalities are the staid W. S. Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) and merrymaking Sir Arthur Sullivan (Allan Corduner). Leigh takes the viewer behind the scenes in meticulous detail to rehearsals, costume fittings, and final production numbers in all their glory. 1999, 35mm, 160 minutes.