The Mikado

The Mikado is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert. The story revolves around Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, who is disguised as a minstrel to avoid marrying Katisha and instead pursues Yum-Yum, who is betrothed to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. The Mikado orders a beheading and Nanki-Poo agrees to be the victim, but only if he can marry Yum-Yum for a month beforehand. The story culminates in a series of clever deceptions and reconciliations, with the Mikado’s son ultimately revealed and everyone finding happiness.

The small performance area had side screens that were beautifully painted with large and small fans and flowers with one having a lovely portrait of a Japanese lady on it, and later on a super banner was revealed all of which were created by Anne Flint. Across the back wall was a large blue-lit curtained area displaying a large orange moon. There were two pedestal lecterns and two rows of chairs on either side of the area, which rather puzzled me. Then, on quickly reading ‘A Message form the Director’ in the programme, things became a little clearer. The society had performed The Mikado three times in different ways and were looking for another and unusual way of presenting it. The message also stated that some singers don’t want a huge role but would love to sing one of the solo songs but rarely get a chance. Well, this certainly was the case as there were two Pooh-Bahs, three Yum-Yums, three Pitt-Sings and three Katishas. This could have been rather confusing but was made less so because in the programme it stated that each character would be denoted by their ‘Prop’ (of which there was a picture) so when it was ‘their turn’ the person went to a table at the side and picked up the appropriate ‘Prop’ and you immediately knew who they were - a very ingenious idea. There were also four narrators who interjected at various times throughout, to keep us abreast of the story. The role of Nanki Poo was just played by one person as was the role of Ko-Ko and Pish-Tush.

At the start the ‘Props’ were paraded across the front of the stage, a narrator announced the beginning of the story and cast members entered whilst rousingly singing ‘If you want to know who we are’ as they sat down on the chairs. Nanki Poo was superbly played by Stephen Chaytow. He totally captured the heartfelt emotions demanded of the role and his superb powerful tenor voice was very much in evidence in all of his numbers none more so than in ‘A Wand’ring Minstrel’. Another fine and exceptional performance came from Max Taylor as Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. He has great comic timing and wonderful facial expressions. He delivered ‘Behold the High Executioner’ with such relish and his ‘Little List’ with inserts reflecting current events in ‘As Some Day It May Happen’ was a hoot and was ‘TIt Willow’, although it does tell of the silliness of despair and romantic obsession. Chris Kraushaar was excellent as Pooh Bah he portrayed the character with great self importance and arrogance as befitted his position of ‘Lord  High Everything Else’. He too has a fabulous singing voice and was also one of the Narrators. Andrew Montgomerie became Pooh Bar in the Finale of Act 1 as well as excelling as a very strident and domineering Mikado. He too has a super singing voice as has David Stokes who gave an admirable portrayal as Pish-Tush, a noble Lord of Titipu. The three ladies playing Yum Yum were Rachel Callen, Anne Flint and Lesley Kraushaar. They were all delightful and all had such lovely soprano singing voices. Rachel sang ‘Three little maids from school are we’, ‘So please you sir we much regret’ and ‘Here’s a How-de-do’. Rachel was also Pitti-Sing in Act 1 and Act 2 Finales. Anne sang ‘Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted and Verse 1 in ‘The sun whose rays’ and in Act 2 Finale and Lesley sang Verse 2 in ‘The sun whose rays’ and in Act 2 Finale. There were also three splendid ladies playing the part of Pitti-Sing. Rachel Callen, as already mentioned, Susan Devaney and Liz McKenzie. Susan sang ‘Braid the raven hair’, ‘The criminal cried’ and Act 1 Finale and Liz sang ‘Three little maids’, ‘So please you sir we much regret’ and Act 2 Finale. Jean Kingston was Peep-Bo and Sang in ‘Three little Maids’, ‘So please you sir we much regret’ and Act 1 and Act 2 Finales she was also one of the Narrators. Katie Henwood was perfect in the role of Katisha, slightly menacing when singing with the Mikado in his entrance, but especially so in her singing of ‘Alone and yet alive’ which was so heart-renderingly delivered. Susan Devaney, as Katisha, sang ‘ There is a beauty in the bellow of the blast’. The wonderful Narrators were well played by Jeremy Crane, Mike Bradshaw, Chris Kraushaar and Jean Kingston. Excellent support came Helen Taylor as Yum-Yum with spoken dialogue in Act 2, from Gabby Wood as Yum-Yum in the Madrigals, and also from the members having no song or spoken solos - Bob Hingston, Pauline Revill, Anne Stokes, Albert Thomas and Margaret Waller.

This was an imaginative and innovative production full of enthusiasm and fun all delivered by an awesome cast. The acting was first rate and the singing by the soloists, small groups and full chorus numbers was of the highest standard. Many of the numbers were enhanced by the ‘chorus’ responding with relevant gesticulations and there were some very amusing scenarios which all added to make this a unique interpretation and a top-notch production.                  

The traditional costumes were superb and created by Sylvia Pearson, excellent lighting was by Peter Davies and an effective set was created by David McKenzie. Many congratulations to Director Liz McKenzie, to Musical Director Melanie Gilbert, to the show and rehearsal pianists Chris Flint and Rosemary Dobbin, to the back Stage Crew and to the Front of House team and of course to the extremely talented cast. I have to sincerely thank Melanie for the very informative input that she sent me, via email, without which I would have been unable to give full credit to cast members. Also my thanks to the very warm welcome that I received from David and the Front of House Staff.

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