
Our all-new Mikado is set in Ancient Rome. It’s a brand new take on this well-loved classic with twists and turns at every scene. Familiar characters find themselves in their new setting as they compete for Yum-Yum’s hand, whilst trying not to lose their head!
The Mikado has delighted audiences for more than a century, opening initially at the Savoy Theatre in March 1885. It ran for 672 nights and catapulted both Gilbert and Sullivan to the height of their creative geniuses.
According to Mr Adair Fitzgerald in his book ‘The Story of the Savoy Opera,’ the plot of The Mikado came to Gilbert when a Japanese sword, that hung on the walls of his study, suddenly fell down.
What Gilbert produced thereafter has become one of our most beloved operas today. Gilbert and Sullivan deliberately created an imaginary world for their characters in what was – for its day – a distant land for many people: Japan. In our new adaptation, we have reconceived that imaginary quality by shifting the world they created to a new setting – Ancient Rome!
Synopsis
Act one opens in Ancient Rome where a group of Roman nobles are gathered in the Forum. They are joined by Nanki-Poo (NanktusKakas in this case), disguised as a second lyre (trombone in G&S’s original), who is looking for Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko. A nobleman named Pish-Tush asks what Nanki-Poo’s business is with Yum-Yum, and learns that the minstrel had seen the girl a year ago when he was a member of the town band, and they had fallen in love, but Yum-Yum, however, was betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, “a cheap tailor”. Now, however, the minstrel learns that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting and hurries back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately on his return he finds that far from being dead, Ko-Ko has been reprieved at the last moment and, having being “taken from the county jail by a set of curious chances”, has been raised to the exalted rank of Lord High Executioner. But there is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married that very day.
Soon the beautiful Yum-Yum appears with her two sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, who are also wards of Ko-Ko. Together they sing an enchanting trio “Three little maids from school are we”. Naturally Yum-Yum is delighted to see Nanki-Poo, who reveals that he is the son of the Emperor and explains that he fled from his father’s Court disguised as a “second lyre” in order to avoid the misfortune of having to marry Katisha, an elderly lady who claimed him in marriage. Yum-Yum admits she does not love her guardian but the two lovers quickly realise that their cause is hopeless and Yum-Yum leaves Nanki-Poo who tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a letter from the Emperor, who is struck by the fact that no executions have taken place in Rome for a year and decrees that unless somebody is beheaded within a month, the post of Lord High Executioner will be abolished and the city reduced to the status of a village. Consternation reigns! But after various schemes and victims have been rejected Nanki-Poo conveniently walks in with a rope in his hands intending to hang himself to put an end to his unendurable existence now he cannot marry his adored Yum-Yum. On seeing Nanki-Poo about to end his life, Ko-Ko points out that suicide is a capital offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the condition that he can marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life before he is beheaded. After the execution, Ko-Ko will then be able to marry the widowed Yum-Yum. The celebrations begin, but Katisha storms in, having tracked down the object of her affections, NankiPoo, and threatens to reveal his true identity. She is out-shouted by a chorus of Roman gibberish: “O stultissima cucurbita!” (Which in this case, means “O stupid pumpkin”). But the town dwellers are not to be deterred and “joy reigns everywhere around.” The act closes as Katisha, threatening to wreak vengeance on all who have thwarted her, storms angrily through the crowd on her way to inform the Emperor that his son has been found.
Synopsis
Act two opens with Yum-Yum being preparing for her wedding. After pointing out to her friends, in her “artless vestal way”, how much more attractive she is than anybody else in the whole world, Yum-Yum is joined by Nanki-Poo and they discuss how best to enjoy themselves during the short time of their intended marriage. Ko-Ko enters however and informs them that he himself cannot marry Yum-Yum after all. Their sudden joy at this announcement is soon dispelled when he tells them that he has just learned that by the Emperor’s law, when a married man is beheaded his wife is buried alive. This alters the position completely for poor YumYum who, not unnaturally, has no desire to go through with her marriage to Nanki-Poo if at the end of the month she has to suffer such an ill fate. Nanki-Poo is also in a dilemma. If he holds YumYum to this marriage, she dies a hideous death, and if he releases her she must marry Ko-Ko at once.
The marriage is off, and Nanki-Poo determines to do away with himself that afternoon unless Ko-Ko will kill him at once. But it turns out that Ko-Ko can’t kill anything. To make matters worse, the Emperor and his suite are approaching the town and will arrive in just ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit for Nanki-Poo’s execution. Yum-Yum is sent for and, to her amazement, is told to go away with Nanki-Poo and get married while the others prepare to receive and, if possible, hoodwink the Emperor with a lurid description of an imaginary execution.
The Emperor, a rather terrifying figure, arrives with Katisha who makes much of being his daughter-in-law elect. When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution, The Emperor reads it and says, “My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the Roman Empire!” Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to his father, thereby absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo, now married to Yum-Yum, is afraid of Katisha’s wrath. Unless Ko-Ko will agree to marry the old hag himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave on their honeymoon at once. Ko-Ko is appalled at the suggestion but realises that it is the only way to save himself and his friends from the “boiling oil” episode that is awaiting them. Katisha, meanwhile, is mourning the death of Nanki-Poo, and when Ko-Ko tries to woo her, she is at first reluctant, but he wins the formidable lady with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, lovelorn song. When the Emperor returns from lunch he is surprised to learn that Katisha has already married Ko-Ko, and when Nanki-Poo walks in with Yum-Yum the Emperor gladly accedes to their prayers for mercy. Although Katisha feels that she has been deceived as Nanki-Poo escaped her matrimonial wiles, she consoles herself with being the wife of the Lord High Executioner and all ends happily. Phew!
What Our Audience Say
Marie, Simonsbath Festival
Anne
Audience Member
Audience Member
Audience Member
Joanna Davis, Dorset Echo
Audience Member
Production Cast
Where to watch The Mikado
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