Thespis

By W. S. Gilbert

"Thespis" by W. S. Gilbert. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 4064066432591

W. S. Gilbert

W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911) was an English librettist, dramatist, and poet. Born in London, Gilbert was raised by William, a surgeon and novelist, and Anne Mary, an apothecary’s daughter. As a child he lived with his parents in Italy and France before finally returning to London in 1847. Gilbert graduated from Kind’s College London in 1856 before joining the Civil Service and briefly working as a barrister. In 1861, he began publishing poems, stories, and theatre reviews in Fun, The Cornhill Magazine, and Temple Bar. His first play was Uncle Baby, which ran to moderate acclaim for seven weeks in 1863. He soon became one of London’s most popular writers of opera burlesques, but turned away from the form in 1869 to focus on prose comedies. In 1871, he began working with composer Arthur Sullivan, whose music provided the perfect melody to some of the most popular comic operas of all time, including H. M. S. Pinafore (1878), The Pirates of Penzance (1879), and The Mikado (1885). At London’s Savoy Theatre and around the world, The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company would perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s works for the next century. Gilbert, the author of more than 75 plays and countless more poems, stories, and articles, influenced such writers as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, as well as laid the foundation for the success of American musical theatre on Broadway and beyond.

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W. S. Gilbert

Thespis

Published by Good Press, 2022

[e-mail]

EAN 4064066432591

Table of Contents

Dramatis Personae

Gods

Thespians

Act I

Act II

Dramatis Personae

Table of Contents

Gods

Table of Contents

Jupiter, an Aged Deity

Apollo, an Aged Deity

Mars, an Aged Deity

Diana, an Aged Deity

Mercury

Thespians

Table of Contents

Thespis

Sillimon

Timidon

Tipseion

Preposteros

Stupidas

Sparkeion

Nicemis

Pretteia

Daphne

Cymon

Act I

Table of Contents

Scene – The ruins of the the Temple of the Gods, on summit of Mount Olympus. Picturesque shattered columns, overgrown with ivy, etc. R. and L. with entrances to temple (ruined) R. Fallen columns on the stage. Three broken pillars 2 R.E. At the back of stage is the approach from the summit of the mountain. This should be practicable to enable large numbers of people to ascend and descend. In the distance are the summits of adjacent mountains. At first all this is concealed by a thick fog, which clears presently. Enter (through fog) Chorus of Stars coming off duty as fatigued with their night's work.

CHO.

Throughout the night the constellations Have given light from various stations. When midnight gloom falls on all nations, We will resume our occupations.

SOLO.

Our light, it's true, is not worth mention; What can we do to gain attention When night and noon with vulgar glaring A great big moon is always flaring?

During chorus, enter Diana, an elderly goddess. She is carefully wrapped up in cloaks, shawls, etc. A hood is over her head, a respirator in her mouth, and galoshes on her feet. During the chorus, she takes these things off and discovers herself dressed in the usual costume of the Lunar Diana, the goddess of the moon.

DIA. (shuddering) Ugh. How cold the nights are. I don't know how it is, but I seem to feel the night air a good deal more than I used to. But it is time for the sun to be rising. (Calls) Apollo.

AP. (within) Hollo.

DIA. I've come off duty – it's time for you to be getting up.

Enter Apollo. He is an elderly buck with an air of assumed juvenility and is dressed in dressing gown and smoking cap.

AP. (yawning) I shan't go out to-day. I was out yesterday and the day before and I want a little rest. I don't know how it is, but I seem to feel my work a great deal more than I used to.

DIA. I am sure these short days can't hurt you. Why, you don't rise 'til six and you're in bed again by five; you should have a turn at my work and see how you like that – out all night!

AP. My dear sister, I don't envy you – though I remember when I did – but that was when I was a younger sun. I don't think I'm quite well. Perhaps a little change of air will do me good. I've a mind to show myself in London this winter; they'll be very glad to see me. No! I shan't go out today. I shall send them this fine, thick wholesome fog and they won't miss me. It's the best substitute for a blazing sun – and like most substitutes, nothing at all like the real thing. (To fog) Be off with