This book - one of four written by the author about the development of Western comedy and Victorian music theatre - is a wide-ranging and authoritative examination of the key comic works of the famous dramatist W.S. Gilbert. Remembered today primarily for his partnership with Sir Arthur Sullivan and the creation of the brilliant and enduringly popular 'Savoy' operas, Gilbert was in fact a prolific author of literary works of all genres: plays, libretti, short stories, poetry (including nonsense verse) and ballads. Indeed, his short stories and stand-alone comedy lyrics are often more anarchically sharp than most of the libretti derived from, or linked with, them.

The book begins with a general survey of background, methodology and techniques, followed by detailed analysis of some of the works according to category: his 'non-Sullivan' plays; five of the Savoy Operas (H.M.S. Pinafore, Patience, Iolanthe, Princess Ida and The Grand Duke); nonsense verse; short stories; and finally the Bab Ballads.

The author's aim is to explore what, in comedy terms, is meant by the category 'Gilbertian', placing Gilbert's unique contribution to the history and development of comedic art.