Editions of Gilbert's Works

I have edited or "curated" several editions of works by Gilbert, notably The Triumph of Vice and Other Stories for Alma Books, as well as the plays Engaged and Foggerty's Fairy for Renard Press. A new selection of the Bab Ballads is in the works for summer 2023

Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan

My biography of Gilbert, entitled Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan, was published by The History Press in May 2011 to coincide with the centenary of Gilbert's death. It is the fruit of a lifetime's fascination with the writer's life and work, and includes significant new information, especially concerning his formative years. The BBC Radio 4 series Gilbert's Glory (May 2011) made substantial use of this new material.

Writer and director Mike Leigh has described the book as "beautifully written, illuminating, perceptive, and full of news, revelations and insights." The Gilbert and Sullivan scholar Ian Bradley has called it "a sympathetic and illuminating portrait of a quintessential Englishman." Whatsonstage.com has called it "a lively, deeply informative read", while thebookbag.co.uk, in a five star review, calls the book "a first-rate portrait" and adds that it "captures the personality of this extraordinary man to perfection."

The book was featured in a full-page article in The Stage (22 March 2012). Unfortunately, this is not available online.