The Mikado

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity of visiting this group again, whose evident popularity resulted in them extending their run to Tuesday. This was a traditional version of the Show in Japanese style dress. There was a single sturdily built set of a Pagoda, which remained throughout the show. The lighting had been well designed and complemented the action. The hired costumes looked appropriate but some of them would have looked better if they had been ironed!  Yum-Yum’s wedding dress was lovely. The make up generally was very stylised, but in some cases a little harsh, contrasting with the more subtle style used for Yum-Yum. The sound levels were well balanced and sound effects well cued.

The show had an enthusiastic cast and there were some strong principal performances although I am afraid a couple of performances did not work for me. The costume worn by the Mikado did not create the grandeur of his position and to be honest reminded me of an evil clown. He started with a demonic cackle, which was lovely but then seemed to lose some of his assertiveness. Again Katisha was too gentle, she was not as bloodthirsty and venomous as the role demands, she seemed to be struggling a little. Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush were suitably haughty with good characterisation. Ko-Ko had captured the essence of the role, that of a buffoon with an eye to the main chance, he delivered the reworded ‘I’ve Got a Little List’ with obvious relish. Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo gave good portrayals as Yum-Yum’s stalwart companions. It was a delight to see the well-matched pair of Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo, who worked together and provided a believable love interest, as was so well demonstrated in ‘Were You Not To Ko-Ko Plighted’. The members of the chorus were an admirable support to the show.

Musical Director Richard Abrams had worked hard both singers and musicians. He was always in control of the musicians who were well balanced and never overpowered the singers. The chorus sang well, but as often happens in chorus numbers the diction was not always clear and we lost some of the words. The standard of principal singing was excellent with good diction so that the audience could follow the story; particularly memorable were ‘Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day’ and ‘The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze’.

Director Derek Hill had some interesting ideas for the show, including deciding to have a simple set for this traditional production, which worked well and kept the action moving. The stylized tableau of the ‘Gentlemen of Japan’ as the curtains opened got the show off to a good start. As it was election week I had been expecting a few political references in Ko-Ko’s ‘Little List’ but we were treated to a clever and very amusing, completely rewritten version of the song, which delighted the audience. The whole Society had worked very hard to produce an entertaining evening for the obvious Gilbert and Sullivan devotees in the audience.

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