The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Operatic Society’s Production of the Mikado

The proper title for this show is “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Operatic Society’s Production of the Mikado”! Now, having seen this show many years ago, I knew what to expect . . . lots of laughter. On this viewing I have to say that I was not disappointed because it was a laugh a minute throughout the performance! The all-female cast (plus one man) was all in their element as they vainly tried to present a performance of “The Mikado” despite everything that could go wrong did! The producer also injected some very nice production touches that enhanced the show, for example, the UV scene for “The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring” and the white ribbons, when put together in UV, spelled out a gigantic “Mikado” word. The actual opera is “performed” by all the women and there were many amusing characterisations brought to life on the stage. There was bossy Mrs Reece (Pooh-Bah) brilliantly played by Elizabeth Wylie; and Jill Davidson’s hilarious Liverpudlian accented Ko-Ko who, repeatedly called Lisa Murray’s powerful Katisha “Kateesha”; as the young lovers, Gemma Sullivan (Nanki Poo) and Moira Inglis (Yum-Yum) fitted the bill perfectly; newcomer Sheree Hay was a reliable Peeb-Bo; and there was a side-splitting comic performance from Jen Shearer as the Mikado, who continually forgot her words in the script! Last but not least, George Anderson was excellent as the Rev. Bishop, who eventually has to play the female role of Pitti-Sing all to great effect. Even the Orchestra members and the Prompter all got embroiled in the comic action and, also, one Chorus member continually came into the spotlight’s glare – Hazel Grieve played Hermione, a “very old” lady determined to perform in the Chorus, with the aid of her walking stick, bringing out the laughs when she was always losing her place in every stage action she did – her best being on the end of a big stage chorus wheel and being jet propelled into the wings at a remarkable rate of speed! This production was all FUN, FUN, FUN! Well done, Broughty!

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