Librettist William S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan teamed up to make some of the most memorable operettas of all time which still sell out to today's audience at opera houses and theatres around the world and at the cinema. This detailed book explores the themes around each operetta, setting them in the context of the day. It celebrates their biggest stars and what made the characters so memorable and recognisable. Like all of the Pocket Guide series, this accessible guide is full of information and fascinating facts did you know that fairy lights were invented for Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe? AUTHOR: Husband and wife historians Diane Canwell and Jon Sutherland have co-written a number of non-fiction titles together, including many for Pen & Sword. They are passionate about musical theatre and Jon worked for London Sadler's Wells when D'Oyly Carte performed Gilbert & Sullivan for five months. SELLING POINTS: . The biographies of Gilbert and Sullivan . Exploration of their success, settings, characters and biggest stars . Synopses of their operettas . Illustrated with vintage material ILLUSTRATIONS: 50-60 b/w illustrations *