 Even during long runs and revivals, Gilbert closely supervised the performances of his plays, making sure that the actors did not make unauthorised additions, deletions or paraphrases.Gilbert was famous for demonstrating the action himself, even as he grew older.Gilbert himself went on stage in a number of productions throughout his lifetime, including several performances as the Associate in "Trial by Jury", as substitute for the injured Kyrle Bellew in a charity matinee of "Broken Hearts", and in charity matinees of his one-act plays, such as King Claudius in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern".