Dulcamara, or the Little Duck and the Great Quack of Scene 1: This scene is based on one in Gilbert's short story, "The Adventures of Wheeler J. Calamity", which he had written for the "Fun Christmas Number" in 1865, with the song following this speech, "If you intend to stay with us, before you've been a day with us", appearing in both. "Dulcamara" was not widely reviewed, but "Fun" magazine – to which Gilbert was a regular contributor – gave it a long and favourable notice, declaring that "Mr W. S. Gilbert at once takes rank for both neatness of construction and brilliancy of dialogue beside Mr. Byron. The
Theatre Royal Haymarket S. Leigh and Arthur Sketchley). Gilbert followed this with a number of his blank verse "fairy comedies", the first of which was "The Palace of Truth" (1870), produced by Buckstone. These starred William Hunter Kendal and his wife Madge Robertson Kendal and also included "Pygmalion and Galatea" (1871), and "The Wicked World" (1873). Gilbert also produced here his dramas, "Charity" (1874), "Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith" (1876), and his most famous play outside of his Savoy Operas, "Engaged", an 1877 farce. Buckstone's ghost has reportedly often been seen at the theatre, particularly during comedies and "when he appreciates things" playing there. In