Cultural influence of Gilbert and Sullivan societies performing the Gilbert and Sullivan works worldwide. It is not surprising, given the focus of Gilbert on politics, that politicians, cartoonists and political pundits have often found inspiration in these works. The phrase "A short, sharp shock," from the Act I song "I am so proud" in "The Mikado", has been used in political manifestos. Likewise "Let the punishment fit the crime," from the title character's Act II song, is particularly mentioned in the course of British political debates. Political humour based on Gilbert and Sullivan's style and characters continues to be written. In 1996, Virginia Bottomley, heritage secretary
The Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island Company stalwarts Al Grand, Bob Tartell and Elaine Lerner, and directed by Sally Buckstone, what eventually became the Gilbert & Sullivan Yiddish Light Opera Company of Long Island developed Der Yiddisher Pinafore, Di Yam Gazlonim and Der Yiddisher Mikado, Yiddish versions of the beloved “Big Three” Savoy operas. Touring nationally and internationally, it marked out a unique corner of the Gilbert & Sullivan universe and made it its own. Two landmarks defined the 1990s for the Company: One was the development of the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Orchestra of Long Island, under the direction first of founding music director