Review

"Sunday Times", issue 2460, June 5, 1870, p. 3

Such is the wit of Mr. Gilbert’s dialogue and such the drollery of his invention that the two together have almost redeemed extravaganza from the reproach of utter worthlessness and imbecility it seemed to be incurring.  His latest production is inferior to none of its predecessors in ingenuity of design or felicity of execution.  The Gentleman in Black is a musical extravaganza, in the music of which Mr. Gilbert has been aided by his ally in Ages Ago, Mr. F. Clay. 

The story represents the adventures of a wicked German baron and a peasant lad.  Each in a moment of annoyance has expressed envy of the lot of the other.  Their wish to change has been heard by the Gentleman in Black and instantaneously granted.  Endless quaint and droll complications follow, the end of the story being brought about more rapidly than was expected in consequence of an unsuspected edict changing the date from the old to the new style, and so reducing considerably the month during which the experiment was to last.  Bright, gay, and amusing throughout, and supplied with simple and effective music, The Gentleman in Black was received with exceeding favour.  Its exponents included Miss Fowler, Miss Emmeline Cole, Miss Maxe, Mr. Robson, Mr. Flockton, and Mr. Danvers.

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