Mike Leigh, the director of the Gilbert and Sullivan bio-pic "Topsy Turvy," will be a guest on the Feb. 3 edition of "Theater Talk," the popular PBS show devoted to the world of the stage, hosted by Michael Riedel of The New York Post and Susan Haskins.

Leigh began his career in the theatre, penning several plays for his own London-based theatre company. When he switched over to films, he retained some of his theatrical preparation techniques; he typically rehearses his actors extensively before committing a scene to film. With "Topsy Turvy," Leigh the filmmaker returned to the subject of the theatre. The movie, which depicts the creation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, is in stark contrast to Leigh's other films, which typically concern contemporary people and problems.

Some of Leigh's plays have received success in the U.S., notably Ecstasy, which was given an award-winning production by Off Broadway's The New Group.

The show airs Feb. 3 at midnight, and will re-air on MetroArts Thirteen, Saturday, at 10 PM (check local Cablevision listings for time and channel); and Friday at 12:30 AM in Boston on WGBH. (Check local listings.)

For additional information on Theater Talk, visit their Website at www.theatertalk.playbill.com . --By Robert Simonson