Love how the authority figures in G&S operettas are portrayed as corrupt and incompetent hypocrites who bought or manipulated their way into power. When authority figures in these operettas are also charismatic and delightful (such as the Judge here, the Major General in PoP, or Sir Joseph in Pinafore), regular people are blind to their flaws and mindlessly follow them. After nearly a century and a half, it's sad that so little has changed and these portrayals of authority figures (and the public's reaction to them) remain salient and true.
If this is too frolicsome for you, I recommend Anna Russell's summary of "The Ring of the Nibelungs". It includes a description of Siegfried as the perfect hero, and her declaration that "I'm not making any of this up".
Not every one of W.S. Gilbert's librettos can be sung in broad Scots. This one's superb. I'd love to hear the lists in the "Mikado" from the most humane Mikado, and the Lord High Executioner.
When I, good friends, was called to the bar, I'd an appetite fresh and hearty. But I was, as many young barristers are, An impecunious party. I'd a swallow-tail coat of a beautiful blue -- [line 115] And a brief which I bought of a booby -- A couple of shirts, and a collar or two, And a ring that looked like a ruby! CHORUS. He'd a couple of shirts, and a collar or two, and a ring that looked like a ruby. JUDGE. In Westminster Hall I danced a dance, Like a semi-despondent fury; For I thought I never should hit on a chance Of addressing a British Jury-- But I soon got tired of third-class journeys, And dinners of bread and water; So I fell in love with a rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. CHORUS. So he fell in love with a rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. JUDGE. The rich attorney, he jumped with joy, And replied to my fond professions: "You shall reap the reward of your pluck, my boy, At the Bailey and Middlesex sessions. You'll soon get used to her looks," said he, "And a very nice girl you will find her! She may very well pass for forty-three In the dusk, with a light behind her!" CHORUS. She may very well pass for forty-three In the dusk, with a light behind her! JUDGE. The rich attorney was good as his word; The briefs came trooping gaily, And every day my voice was heard At the Sessions or Ancient Bailey. All thieves who could my fees afford Relied on my orations. And many a burglar I've restored To his friends and his relations. CHORUS. And many a burglar he's restored To his friends and his relations. JUDGE. At length I became as rich as the Gurneys -- An incubus then I thought her, So I threw over that rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. The rich attorney my character high Tried vainly to disparage-- CHORUS. No! JUDGE. Yes! (chuckles) And now, if you please, I'm ready to try This Breach of Promise of Marriage! CHORUS. And now if you please, he's ready to try This Breach of Promise of Marriage! JUDGE. For now I'm a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE. For now I'm a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE. Though all my law be fudge, Yet I'll never, never budge, But I'll live and die a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE (pianissimo). It was managed by a job-- ALL. And a good job, too! JUDGE. It was managed by a job! ALL. And a good job too! JUDGE. It is patent to the mob, That my being made a nob Was effected by a job. ALL. And a good job too! Enter COUNSEL for PLAINTIFF.
I remember seeing a version where she has one glass too many and ends up saying "and the tar who plows the daughter", causing her father to spit out his drink.
