The Hot Mikado (2007)
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
(Male Company) Gentleman of Japan: -
- Neiru - Neil Carmichael
- Kebinu - Kevin leech
(Female Company)Ladies of Japan:-
- Uookku - Anna York
- Rooen - Laruen Senatore
- Sonpusan - Lidia Siemaszkiewicz
- Rooa - Laura Stanton
- Ridya - Michelle Thomson
- Rerisa - Ruth Huggett
Ensemble
- Doiaru - Shona Doyle
- Arisu - Alice Lowe
Designers
- Lighting Design - Mike Elliott
- Sound Design - Gerard Johnson
- Set Design - Chaz Doyle
Crew
- Stage Manager - Graham Clements
- Assistant Stage Manager - Lauri Morgan
- Lighting Operator - Operator Name
- Sound Operator - Lee Ridgeway
- Director - Heather French
- Musical Director - Hannah Morgan
- Vocal Director - Alan Walker
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.
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.
Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.
