Sullivan wants to quit in favour of serious music, but the two are under contract to Savoy Theatre impresario D'Oyly Carte.

'Princess Ida' flops in a heatwave, and Carte needs a replacement. Sullivan rejects Gilbert's next idea as topsy-turvy and unbelievable, and although Gilbert tries to accommodate him, they cannot agree, and an impasse is reached.

Gilbert is taken by his wife to a Japanese exhibition in Londo, and is inspired to write 'The Mikado'. Sullivan agrees to collaborate and, after lengthy rehearsals, the show opens to great acclaim.

Throughout TOPSY-TURVY are woven insights into the lives not only of the complex Gilbert, childlessly married to a devoted wife, and the bon-viveur, brothel-visiting Sullivan with his American mistress, but also the working actors, actresses, chorus, musicians and costumiers of the Savoy Theatre, and of D'Oyly Carte and his team.

Colourful, fully-staged extracts from the shows are interspersed throughout the film, which explodes with Sullivan's infectious music.

Directed by Mike Leigh, cast includes Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville, Ron Cook, Wendy Nottingham, Kevin McKidd, Shirley Henderson, Dorothy Atkinson, Martin Savage, Eleanor David and Alison Steadman.

Awards:
• Academy Award - Best Costume Design, Best Make-Up
• BAFTA Film Award - Best Make-Up/Hair
• London Critics Circle Award - Special Achievement - Mike Leigh
• National Society of Film Critics - Best Director, Best Film
• New York Critics Circle Award - Best Director, Best Film
• Venice Film Festival - Volpi Cup - Best Actor