Topsy-Turvy is a 1999 musical drama film about the creation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado in 1884 and 1885. It was written and directed by Mike Leigh and stars Allan Corduner as Sir Arthur Sullivan and Jim Broadbent as W. S. Gilbert, along with Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. The film focuses on the creative conflict between playwright and composer, and the momentous decision that the two men made to continue their partnership, which led to the creation of several more famous Savoy Operas between them. The film was not released widely, but it received very favourable reviews,... including a number of film festival awards and two design Academy Awards. While considered an artistic success, illustrating Victorian era British life in the theatre in depth, the film did not recover its production costs. Leigh cast actors who did their own singing in the film, and the singing performances were faulted by some critics, while others lauded Leigh's strategy. On the opening night of Princess Ida at the Savoy Theatre in January 1884, composer Sir Arthur Sullivan , who is ill from kidney disease, is barely able to make it to the theatre to conduct.
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| Release date: | December 15, 1999 |
| Directed by: | Mike Leigh |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 160 Minutes |
| Producer: | Simon Channing-Williams |
| Editor: | Robin Sales |
| Music by: | Carl Davis, Jacques Offenbach, Sir Arthur Sullivan |
| Cinematography: | Dick Pope |
| Screenplay by: | Mike Leigh |
| Estimated budget: | $20,000,000 |
| Genre: | Drama, Comedy, Musical, Biography |