The Mikado

In a mythical Japan, a tailor called Ko-Ko, has been appointed Lord High Executioner and must find someone to execute before the arrival of the ruling Mikado. He meets Nanki-Poo, a strolling minstrel who loves the beautiful Yum-Yum. But Yum-Yum is also loved by Ko-Ko, and Nanki-Poo, seeing no hope for his love, considers suicide.

However Ko-Ko offers to solve both their problems by executing Nanki-Poo, and an agreement is reached whereby Ko-Ko will allow Nanki-Poo to marry Yum-Yum for one month, at the end of which Nanki-Poo will be executed, in time for the arrival of the Mikado. But what Ko-Ko doesn't know is that Nanki-Poo is the son of the Mikado and has run away to avoid a betrothal to a bossy belligerent woman named Katisha. The arrival of the Mikado brings all the threads of the tale together.

It is significant to consider that the show was first staged in 1885 but still holds our attention today, although some humorous refinements do not go a miss, as this production directed by Pauline Peak proved well.

Samuel Taunton as ‘Nanki- Poo’ provided an open faced cheeky characterisation that kept us entertained throughout, opening with a comic rendition of ‘A wand’ring minstrel I’ and joined later by ‘Pooh- Bah’ (David Bell) and ‘Pish-Tush’ (Nigel Smith) both in good voice with and beyond  ‘Young man, despair, likewise go to’.

Throughout, the chorus provide good support not least with ‘Behold the Lord High Executioner’ which introduced ‘Ko-Ko’ played by Mike Faulkner. Mike gave a superb, clear and crisp performance full of musicality and comedy timing. 

Traditionalists may have raised their eyebrows when the ladies chorus entered  with ‘Comes a train of little ladies’ as naughty school girls, matched by the ‘Three little maids from school…’ played convincingly by Bev Butler (‘Yum Yum’), Rachel Hall (‘Pitti Sing’) and Catherine Watton (‘Peep Bo’).

However, when later in the action the entire cast were dressed in more traditional style, the costumes were exceptional. Bev Butler had a particularly pleasing voice and a good presence in the scenes with ‘Nanki –Poo’ and ‘Ko- Ko’. One of the Act 2 highlights was the number ‘Brightly dawns our wedding day’ sang by ‘Yum Yum’, Pitti-Sing’, Nanki-Poo’ and Pish-Tush’.

We are introduced to ‘Katisha’ played with suitable and comic belligerence by Christine Davies and the ruling Mikado himself played with great presence by Tim Goodhall.  The numbers ‘A more humane Mikado‘ and ‘See how the fates their gifts allot’ were particularly strong.

The orchestra was never overpowering and delivered an excellent level of support to the soloists throughout and the atmosphere was enhanced by a stylistic set and lighting. This production was watched by an enthusiastic audience and I enjoyed it too.

Bruce Wyatt, NODA Representative  District 10

 

 

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