Town hall hi-jinks
A new-look Mikado is the first Gilbert and Sullivan production by the Scarborough-based Sandside Players and will be performed at two venues next month.
Instead of the traditional Japanese setting, the comic opera is set in at a council meeting in a provincial English town.
The men are in business suits with the odd bowler hat and Nanki-Poo wears his
tradema rk‘ anyone-for-tennis’ bags, blazer and boater.
The Mikado is on at Scarborough Library in Vernon Road on Thursday November 10 at 7pm and at Wykeham Church on Friday November 11 at 7pm.
Tickets are available from Woodend, The Crescent, Scaborough.
THE MIKADO, VARIOUS VENUES November
Scarborough Community Choir director Bill Scott launches his Sandside Players with two performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera The Mikado later this month.
A G&S fan, Bill Scott will follow up his choir’s March concert, featuring his choir, Sandside Orchestra and guest singers in a programme including the short Trial by Jury, with a fulllength “pocket” Mikado.
Twelve performers, now named Sandside Players, will play all the principal Players, will play all the principal roles and chorus, in a costumed, semi-staged concert performance of the comic opera, supposedly set in Japan, but spoofing the doings of local government in a typical English town.
The score is packed with tunes, including tThe Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tit-Willow, A More Humane Mikado, The Sun Whose Rays, A Wand’ring Minstrel and of course the famous List Song with its traditionally updated jibes at topical targets. (Beware, Brexit politicians and US Presidential candidates).
Accompanying on the keyboard, Bill Scott co-directs with Dave Blaker a cast including local performers: Lesley Machen as Yum-Yum, Hilary Watts as Nanki-Poo, Tony Kirby as the Mikado, Kathryn Irwin as Katisha, Dave Blaker as Pooh-Bah and Tim Tubbs as Ko-Ko with Chris Gray, KateBoddy, Damon Hotchin, Monica Hindle, Helen Dent and Louise Stanway.
“The show is a complete delight”, said Bill who runs Scarborough Community Chor.
“Of all the G&S operas, I think The Mikado has my favourite score, and its satirical targets are spot-on, as fresh and funny today as when first staged, which is probably why it is so enduringly popular.
“We’re lucky to have such an enthusiastic and gifted cast, although they have their work cut out, doing the whole thing with just 12 of them.
“We hope this may be the first event of more to come.”
The Mikado is at Scarborough Library, Vernon Road, on Thursday October 10 at 7pm.
It is at Wyekham Church on Friday October 11 at 7pm. The Wykeham performance, in aid of the church organ restoration fund. Ticket includes a glass of wine or soft drink.
Tickets £10 (concessions available) in advance only from Woodend in The Crescent, Scarborough, call 01723 384500.
Or buy tickets (cash only) on the door.