This week we discuss two Mike Leigh period films which examine vastly different areas of British culture.

The first is Topsy Turvy (1999), which depicts Gilbert and Sullivan’s tumultuous creative process in bringing their acclaimed operetta, The Mikado, to the stage.

The second is Vera Drake (2004), a hard-hitting look into the life of a working-class housewife in 1950s London who performs backstreet abortions.

Timestamps

Topsy Turvy (00:07:25)

Vera Drake (00:42:35)

Links 

Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links

https://www.justwatch.com

A Deadly Trade – Jennifer Worth

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/06/health.healthandwellbeing

Arab Strap – Pro Your Life

https://youtu.be/E2wLVsD_R_g

A Sense of History (Mike Leigh, 1992)

https://youtu.be/HPtaw2QwBeQ