A Sensation Novel

<p><I>A Sensation Novel</I> (1871) is a comic musical by W. S. Sullivan. First performed at the Royal Gallery of Illustration in January 1871 <I>A Sensation Novel</I> is one of Gilbert's collaborations with composer Thomas German Reed whose German Reed Entertainments have been credited with revitalizing British theatre. As a satire of Victorian sensation novels that employs self-aware stock characters the play is a metatheatrical work that anticipates Luigi Pirandello's <I>Six Characters in Search of an Author</I> (1921) predating it by half a century. Lamenting his loss of creative energy an author appeals to the Spirit of Romance for guidance. Appearing before him the Spirit reveals a shocking truth: the characters he has been working on are actually the souls of sinners condemned to play their polar opposites for eternity. Not only this but the characters will soon become real. In a panic the author flees his home for a time. When he returns he finds the figures who filled the pages of his novel have taken control of their destinies defying his restrictions and reveling in the chance to be alive. A story of romance adventure and crime ensues blending the popular themes of the era's sensation novels for comic effect while investigating the nature of creativity itself. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of W. S. Gilbert's <I>A Sensation Novel</I> is a classic work of English literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>