The Mikado

As the curtain rose revealing a stunning Japanese set with pagodas, cherry blossom and a flashing eyed dragon, we were immediately transported to ‘The Town Of Titipu.’

The visual impact of this production was quite magnificent with the Willow Pattern back drop in Act 2, atmospheric lighting and gorgeous, colourful silky kimonos all adding glamour to the stage.

One expects a very high standard of choral singing from this society and indeed this was the case. The opening chorus sung by the gentlemen of Japan was powerful both vocally and in the excellent drilling and proficient use of fans which was commendable by all of the cast. The female chorus was also in fine voice in ‘Comes a train of little ladies’. The finale of both acts in particular demonstrated the strength of the combined choral singing. The company all moved well too creating interesting, eye catching groupings .

The strong principal cast conveyed their characters with conviction.The strolling minstrel Nanki Poo (Sam Selby) and Yum Yum (Jennifer Murray) were a believable romantic couple both singing well and convincing us of their predicament if they were to wed in the marathon ‘Here’s a how-de-do’ with it’s many encores. It must have been exhausting for these two and Ko-ko who appeared on a scooter, a space hopper and various other modes of transport and yet managed to sing. Ko-ko (Colin Povey) gave a somewhat subtle performance perhaps a little less exuberant than some Ko-Ko’s I have seen but portrayed the part really well. ‘On a tree by a river’ was beautifully sung with real feeling. The fearsome Katisha (Barbara Scott) has an excellent alto voice and her solo ‘Alone and yet alive’ with it’s wonderful orchestration was one of the highlights of the evening. The Mikado (Zorbey Turkalp) was an imposing figure with a grand bass voice. Pooh-Bah (Simon Boothroyd) knows how to command the stage and got the humour out of every line and was the perfect, pompous, sneering ‘Lord High Everything Else.’ Pitti-Sing (Claire Lumsden) and Peep-Bo (Annabel Hamid) completed the lively trio of little maids and brought out a real fun element. Pish-Tush (Ian Lawson) and Go-To (Andrew Crawford) were well cast in their roles.

There were some memorable ensemble numbers. The blend of voices in the madrigal ‘Brightly dawns our wedding day’ ‘See how the Fates their gifts allot’ and ‘The flowers that bloom in the Spring’ was admirable.

This was a fairly traditional production but there were some clever added touches. Ko-Ko’s’ ‘Little List’ was so well written and very witty with it’s current political references to Donald Trump, the Prime Minister and of course Brexit as well as other modern day issues.This was certainly right up to the minute with details of the latest Brexit vote mentioned only a couple of hours after the result was announcedi in parliament. Fireworks, a remote control boat and confetti falling all added to the freshness and spectacle of the production.

This was certainly a most enjoyable production with a superb orchestra, an excellent chorus and strong principals. Clear diction is so important in G&S operettas and this was worthy of merit.

As always it was a real pleasure to attend an E.D.G.A.S. production.

 

 

 

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