Speirs as Mr. Kent, a member of the chorus Nicholas Boulton as Mr. Conyngham, a member of the chorus Sam Kelly as Richard Barker, the stage manager Jonathan Aris as C. Wilhelm, the costumer designer Alison Steadman as Madame Leon, the wardrobe mistress William Neenan as Cook, Grossmith's attendant Adam Searles as Shrimp, backstage messenger-boy Katrin Cartlidge as the madame of a Paris brothel Julia Rayner as Mademoiselle Fromage, a singing prostitute at the brothel Bríd Brennan as a mad beggar woman Depiction of Victorian society Film professor Wheeler Winston Dixon wrote that the film "uses the conventions of the biographical narrative film to expose the ruthlessness and insularity of the Victorian era, at the same time as it chronicles, with great fidelity, the difficulties of a working relationship in the creative arts. ... Topsy-Turvy is an investigation into the social, political, sexual and theatrical economies of the Victorian era". While the film deals primarily with the production of The Mikado, it depicts many aspects of 1880s British life and society, some based on historical episodes. Scenes show George Grossmith's use of morphine; Leonora Braham's alcoholism and single motherhood; Jessie Bond's health issues, including an abscess on her leg that does not heal; Sullivan's visit to a French brothel and his relationship with his longtime mistress, Fanny Ronalds, implying that she obtains an abortion; three actors' discussion of the destruction of the British garrison at Khartoum by the Mahdi; a private salon concert; a conversation about the use of nicotine by women; and Gilbert being accosted outside the theatre on opening night by an elderly prostitute. The film also depicts the Savoy Theatre as having electric lighting; it was the first public building in Britain, and one of the first of any kind, to be lit entirely by electricity. Another scene shows an early use of the telephone. During costume fittings, the actors protest at having to perform without their corsets for the sake of accuracy. Production Principal photography took place at 3 Mills Studios in London beginning 29 June 1998 and completed shooting on 24 October. Location shooting took place in London and Hertfordshire, and scenes which took place at the Savoy Theatre were filmed at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, London. The film's budget was $20,000,000. Release Box office In the United Kingdom, the film grossed £610,634 in total and £139,700 on its opening weekend. In the United