I don't know if they were pressed for time or what, but every number is done at breakneck speed. Gilbert's great libretto and lyrics are all but lost in the auctioneer-style delivery of all but a few songs. The second main criticism is that every member of the cast is, well, unattractive and unpersonable, and in some cases a bit elderly. The pacing, direction and over-the-top characterizations are annoying to the point of ruining the material, for this viewer at any rate.The snippets of scenes in Mike Leigh's _Topsy Turvy_ are worlds above the level of this somewhat amateurish, slapstick, local dinner theatre quality version. If only he had produced a companion version of the entire operetta with the actors and sets he had at his disposal.I suggest this DVD would make an excellent skeet shooting target. It flies amazingly straight and stable with a quick flick of the wrist. Aim quickly and pull. A can't miss hit!