'Nothing Whatever To Grumble At'? . well, hardly ever! There are one or two grumbles in John's story, it's true, but the few you'll find pale into insignificance against his joy of performing in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. But this book begins long before John's twenty-eight years with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company; it starts with his happy childhood, and his early days in the theatre. And after the D'Oyly Carte, his amazing second career which spanned a further fourteen years as a freelance performer and director.

2007-11-27 with feelings of pleasure

this long awaited biography of one of the stalwarts of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, is a pleasure to read.Narrated by Cynthia Morey, herself a former member of the D'Oyly Carte, ensures a complete understanding and insight into the life led by these singers when the D'Oyly Carte was at its zenith. Apart from an insight into John Reed himself and how he presented his own inimitable style to his well loved roles, anecdotes abound regarding his fellow singers; it is clear they were all members of the D'Oyly Carte family, and the feelings of warmth, compassion and humour are almost tangible. The book leaves one with the feeling that you have actually witnessed a G&S performance, with feelings of pleasure. Above all, it reinforces the opinion that John is not only a tiptop professional of considerable ability, but an extremely nice man - how fortunate some of us are who have witnessed one of his outstanding performances! Thank you John!