 In 1878, Gilbert realised a lifelong dream to play [[Harlequinade|Harlequin]], which he did at the Gaiety Theatre as part of an amateur charity production of "[[The Forty Thieves]]", partly written by himself.Gilbert trained for Harlequin's stylised dancing with his friend [[John D'Auban]], who had arranged the dances for some of his plays and would choreograph most of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.Producer [[John Hollingshead]] later remembered, "the gem of the performance was the grimly earnest and determined Harlequin of W. S. Gilbert.