The Mikado

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society staged The Mikado, which was its first fully staged and costumed production in January 1974. Since then over 70 productions have been staged including several versions of this anniversary production.

In the Town of Titipu, the Mikado has decreed that the act of flirting when ‘not connubially linked’ is punishable by death. This is the background theme to the story involving a number of relationships, intrigue and associated plans for avoiding execution, and a little forgiveness! In front of a good-looking set, the chorus provided a colourful opening number, some superb costumes and a great array of fans, truly setting the scenes to come. We soon meet Nanki-Poo, played with great confidence by Samuel Taunton with a good voice for ‘A wand’ring minstrel I’ with his normal bright disposition, full of ‘customary affability’, which the audience quickly warmed to. Pish -Tush well played by Mark Tooby is joined by the chorus and speaks well of the Mikado as a virtuous man. They are joined by Colin Wilks as Poo-Bah who sang well throughout with great diction. A special mention for Colin who played the Mikado in the 1974 production – the only member of the cast to appear in both productions.

Next to arrive is Ko-Ko played by Paul Ellis, with two excellent numbers, joined by the men’s chorus; ‘Behold the Lord High Executioner!’ and ‘As some day it may happen’ when Paul explained ‘I’ve got a little list. With all its up to date references, it was very funny. Paul demonstrated great physical expression throughout. The ladies chorus  sang ‘Comes a train of little ladies’ and it was good to see the whole stage utilised rather than a more static version and the Three Little Maids that followed ( Catherine Watton as Peep-Bo, Lisa Adams as Yum-Yum and Rachael Hall as Pitti-Sing) all demonstrated good flowing movement. Lisa had several excellent scenes with Paul. ‘I am so proud ‘ sung by Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush was a slick number and on her arrival ‘Katisha’ well-played by Christine Davies, who was in love with Nanki-Poo, let us all know how she felt in an expressive end to Act 1.

In Act 2, Lisa demonstrated her fine voice particularly with ‘The sun, whose rays are all ablaze’ and this was followed by a fine quartet ‘Brightly dawns our wedding day’,  when ‘Go-To’ played by Cameron Simpson,  joined Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, and Nanki-Poo. We had to wait a long time for the Mikado but it was worth it with John Clay who created an imposing entrance and demonstrated his usual strong presence and voice, particularly with ‘A more humane Mikado’. John and Christine’s make up was stunning – not connected I’m sure to Katisha’s admission of being ‘an acquired taste’! Good support was provided by Ash Butler as May-Do. Paul (Ko-Ko)  sang ‘On a tree by a river’ well and he and Katisha provided some nifty moves in their excellent number ‘There is beauty in the bellow of the blast’.

Directed by Bev Butler with Sue Black Musical Director, this was a fitting production to celebrate 50 years of the Society and deserved better support.

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