The Mikado

Whenever the invitation to attend a Savoyards production arrives in my inbox my husband and I look forward with eager anticipation to what’s come to be one of the few groups to now perform G&S.  We know that there will be some wonderful singing and fabulous costumes, and The Mikado did not disappoint in any respect.

We were transported back in time to Titipu where basically unless an execution takes place the town will be reduced to the rank of Village. Whilst the Lord High Executioner tries to find a suitable victim, the story unfolds to tell the satirising tale of love, politics, deceit and a good deal of lies.

Samuel Taunton played the son of the Mikado, NanKi-Poo, in disguise as a wandering minstrel who is in love with Yum-Yum, played by Zara Donaldson. The pairing worked so well together during their duet. Zara has fantastic stage presence and a superb tone to her singing voice. Paul Wozniak was really entertaining as Pooh-Bah. The well known  ‘Three Little Maids from School’ was performed well by Sharon Tozer and Jane Carter as Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo respectively along with Zara, supported by a bevy of chorus ladies, the harmonies sounding rich and strong. Noble Lord Pish-Tush was played by Paul Carter and The Mikado himself was played by  Stephen Yeomens. Deborah Webb played Katisha. Along with a fourteen strong supporting ensemble the citizens of Titipu sounded fantastic and looked so very colourful on the stage. I have saved taking about Ko-Ko until last as the super talented Robert Mead played up his role as The Lord High Executioner with aplomb. I gather he was re-writing and adding things to his “little list” nightly. I’d like to share just a couple of very small sections of his somewhat exhaustive little list, so if you weren’t there, please enjoy ….

As some day it may happen that victims must be found, I’ve got a little list, I’ve got a little list…..All amateur theatricals and opera companies too, they never would be missed, I’ve got them on my list; There’s the idiot who plays upon his smart phone through the show, and lights the auditorium with his phone screen all a-glow; Then films the opening chorus, then photographs the lead, then sends them all to Facebook with enthusiastic speed…. And the critic from the local rag who turns up Brahms and list, I don’t think she’d be missed, I’m sure she’d not be missed.

Congratulations on such an enjoyable entertaining performance, I think this was our favourite G&S we have seen to date. Thank you once again for the invitation.

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