Comic operetta is next show by Christchurch
TICKETS are now on sale for Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s forthcoming production of The Mikado.
This is one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most-performed comic operettas and Sullivan’s wellknown score includes ‘Three Little Maids’, ‘A Wand’ring Minstrel I’, ‘The Madrigal’, ‘The Sun Whose Rays’ and ‘Here’s a how-de-do’.
This production has been given a 1920s black and white setting but the score and storyline remain unchanged. The Mikado is set in the town of Titipu where the Lord High Executioner Ko-Ko and his three wards, Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing and PeebBo reside.
Ko-Ko is in love with Yum-Yum and they are due to marry but the wand’ring minstrel Nanki-Poo – really the son of The Mikado in disguise – has returned to Titipu to claim Yum-Yum, whom he loves.
Meanwhile, The Mikado of Japan has ruled that, due to a lack of executions in Titipu, unless there is one within a month, the town will have its status reduced to that of a village, which would have terrible consequences.
When Nanki-Poo’s hopes of marrying Yum-Yum are dashed by Ko-Ko, he is distraught and prepares to end his life but the cunning Ko-Ko strikes a deal with him; he can wed Yum-Yum if at the end of one month he is
prepared to be beheaded!
Adrian Dobson is making his directorial debut with the group, having returned to the society last year to play the male principal lead in The Sorcerer; Kate King is Musical Director.
Valerie Hart and Steve Gale play the romantic leads of YumYum and Nanki-Poo with Alison
Matthews and Sam Baguley completing the line-up of little maids. Allister Jordan is Ko-Ko with Cheryl Hammersley as the formidable Katisha and Mike Jones, Richard Tomlinson and Roger Muggleton take on the roles of The Mikado, Pish-Tush and Pooh-Bah respectively.
The Mikado is at Iveshead
School Theatre, Shepshed (formerly Hind Leys College), from Tuesday to Saturday, November 6-10. Performances are at 7.30pm Tuesday to Friday with a Saturday matinee only at 2.30pm.
Tickets are £12 (£6 for children) and are available through society members or by calling Margaret on 01509 504376.