Filmmaker Kyle Smith joins this week to discuss Mike Leigh, the playwright-turned-Palme d’Or-winning writer/director, his 1999 film about Gilbert, Sullivan, and the first production of The Mikado. On this episode we discuss the movie Roger Ebert called “One of the best films ever made about life in the theater,” Leigh’s lengthy rehearsal and improvisation process to write the films, how that gives the light effortless feel of “life happening,” and that influence on Smith’s filmmaking. Also: How a plotless near-three-hour movie can be so rewatchable, Leigh’s early work of filmed plays for the BBC, and how this film in conjunction with Anne Washburn’s play Mr. Burns gives a macro view of Gilbert & Sullivan’s legacy in human storytelling.

Kyle Smith is writer/director of the films Blue Highway and Turkey Bowl, which debuted at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival. Currently in development on his third feature, you can find Kyle and his film thoughts on Letterboxd.

Topsy-Turvy is available in physical media from the Criterion Collection and also to digitally borrow on Hoopla.