The Mikado

On quite a warm evening I went to see one of my favourite Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. This is probably one of the most performed of the G&S repertoire but it never fails to attract the faithful audience. Some productions introduce modern dress and upbeat music but I was so pleased to see that HGSP had not gone down that route, although there were some changes to the norm.

The village hall is only a small stage so there are limitations but Richard Gregg’s set/scenery design was minimal and so effective. To one side was a counter where ‘the choir’ sat, aptly named Yum Yum’s sushi bar. Lighting mostly worked well but at times principals were in shadow at the front of the stage. Costumes were Japanese style, lovely and colourful but unfortunately not credited in the programme. I have not seen Mikado ladies in wigs with pigtails before, it worked, but I would have liked the ladies’ make-up to have looked more Japanese-like, Katisha’s, however, was better. Off stage accompaniment was provided by Mark Andrew on a keyboard and MD Sue Sutton conducted from the side. Ensemble singing was good and all the principals were excellent. The small number of extra choir were static and joined in the chorus numbers, they were dressed in black and sat by the ‘sushi bar’. 

An outstanding performance came from Sean McDermott as Ko-Ko whose re-written lyrics of his ‘Little List’ was brilliantly executed and very much enjoyed by the audience. His stage presence was undeniable with his visual gags and comic timing. Chris Chedzey as Nanki Poo and Elaine Jermyn as Yum Yum worked well together, both with lovely voices. Most productions I have seen, a man is cast as Pooh Bah but here we have Alison Clinch who managed this male role extremely well, although the lower vocal range was perhaps lost a little bit. Seasoned performer Linda Russell as Katisha commanded the stage whenever she appeared. Although The Mikado does not appear until the second act, Mike Hickie must have relished this role and he was in the first act as part of the on-stage chorus. Integral to any production are the supporting roles and here we have Stephen Leveritt as Pish Tush, Brenda Best as Pitti Sing, Wendy Stuckey as Peep Bo and not forgetting Katharine Arnold and Dawn Leese as chorus.

Director Wendy Stuckey and choreographer Rebecca Walker made the most of the small working area, with good staging and appropriate dance movements. Hard work by everyone concerned  made this production a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.    
 

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