A community theater rivalry so petty it'll make your group chat drama look tame.
Rivalry at a local Gilbert and Sullivan Society over who will play Jack Point in the Silver Jubilee production. Rowland Matthews has always been the main star, but he is getting on, and the young Clive Bates is a strong rival.
Acting
Basil Lord's magnificent wounded pride.
Direction
Apted finding humanity in pettiness.
Writing
Dialogue sharper than a Savoyard's wit.
Director
Michael Apted
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Michael Apted made this for Granada Television the same year he began his groundbreaking '7 Up' documentary series.
The title refers to the tragic jester in 'The Yeomen of the Guard' — Gilbert and Sullivan's only 'sad' ending, foreshadowing Rowland's fate.
GB
