The Hot Mikado (2007)
by David H Bell
Music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman, from The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Directed by Heather French
Performances: Tue 3rd – Sat 7th July 2007, Bell Theatre
Contents
Introduction
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado was originally intended to poke fun at England's Victorian bourgeoisie, who had seized on a fad for all things Japanese. Bowman and Bell took this tale and essentially created a spoof within a spoof.
The Hot Mikado therefore tells the same story... that of the minstrel Nanki-Poo, who arrives in the town of Titipu in search of the girl of his dreams, Yum-Yum. Meanwhile, Yum-Yum's guardian the tailor-turned-Lord High Executioner, Ko-Ko is under pressure from the bloodthirsty ruler of the land, the Mikado, to execute somebody within the next month. Simply because he enjoys a good bit of execution.
Nanki-Poo is so infatuated with his sweetheart that he agrees to have his head cut off in exchange for one month of wedded bliss with Yum-Yum. The deal means that Ko-Ko can then claim her as his own bride once Nanki-Poo is dead and gone. This extraordinary plan then takes another twist when the Mikado makes a surprise visit to Titipu.
Confused? You may be. But the real twist in the tale is Bowman and Bell's amazing, 1940s-style swing interpretation of this classic piece of theatre.
Cast
- The Mikado - Bob Callender
- Nanki Poo - Declan Doyle
- Pish Tush - James Hough
- Pooh Bah - Sean Chapman
- Ko Ko - Stuart Draper
- Yum Yum - Caroline Webb
- Pitti-Sing - Seren Edwards
- Peep-Bo - Emma Wilson
- Katisha - Suzanne Wooder
Gentleman of Japan (Male Company)
- Neiru - Neil Carmichael
- Kebinu - Kevin Leech
Ladies of Japan (Female Company)
- Uookku - Anna York
- Rooen - Lauren Senatore
- Sonpusan - Lidia Siemaszkiewicz
- Rooa - Laura Stanton
- Ridya - Michelle Thomson
- Rerisa - Ruth Huggett
Ensemble
- Doiaru - Shona Doyle
- Arisu - Alice Lowe
Swing Dancers
Connor Farrin, Constance Gibbs, Vicki Keyte, Ruby Pucell, Zoe Smith, Grace White
Band
- Jonathon Geyevu - Keyboards
- Andy Finney - Drums
- Hannah Morgan - Flute
Designers
- Lighting Design - Mike Elliott
- Sound Design - Gerard Johnson
- Set Design - Chaz Doyle
Crew
- Assistant Directors - Emma Wilson and Seren Edwards
- Stage Manager - Graham Clements
- Assistant Stage Managers - Lauri Morgan and Deirdre Parkes
- Lighting Operator - Induja Bandara
- Sound Advisor - Gerard Johnson
- Sound Operators - Lee Ridgeway and Rachael Lovegrove
- Musical Director - Hannah Morgan
- Vocal Director - Alan Walker
- Costume Team Leader - Jennifer French
- Creative Team - Hazel Hindle, Caroline Doyle and Hans Mudlamootoo
- Backstage Team - Caroline Durant, Alison Dale and Marie-Clair Goswell
- Programme Design - Simon Holland
- Graphics - Matt Ross
- Construction Team - Mike Elliott, Graham Clements, Gavin Parker and Anna York
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Photo thumbnails go here with links to larger images.
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
- If the script didn't have an official name for a character, for example "Gent 1", different combinations of the actors real names were fed though a Japanese translator to give them character names.
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See Also
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Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.