The Mikado

This was an excellent innovative performance of arguably Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operetta. The patrons who were lucky enough to see this production by Christine Davies who Directed and Choreographed it, might well agree with that. After an accomplished overture the excellent opening scene set the standard for the whole performance. The gentlemen’s chorus was very smartly attired in business suits and wearing bowler hats and carrying umbrellas and newspapers and yes the whole of the first act was set in the modern era. Only die hard purists would quibble at this liberty but I loved it and from the applause so did the audience. The ladies were all in schoolgirls’ uniforms topped by straw boaters and looked very fetching too. The second act reverted to a traditional costumed performance, which I thought worked exceptionally well. All chorus singing and movement was precision, encompassing many imaginative and amusing touches. The principles were all well cast with Alan Feeney outstanding as an energetic, bouncy and inventive Ko-Ko. Rebecca Fearnley in excellent voice was a ferocious, imposing Katisha who eventually battered Ko-Ko into submission. Newcomer Emma Burrows was a delightful Yum-Yum and has a lovely voice. She was well supported by Pitti-Sing (Claire Hardy) and Peep-Bo (Meriel Bartlett) a delightful trio indeed. Ralph Barnes, another newcomer, (Nanki-Poo) has a fine tenor voice, fortunately kept his head and was an admirable partner for Yum-Yum. Pooh- Bah Dave Scott made the most of all his High Offices. Mike Faulkner was an imposing Mikado and perhaps opened up another G & S career for himself. The performers were beautifully costumed and the whole performance was a delight.

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