The Mikado

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA has outdone itself with this bright, tight and funny production of The Mikado, which is delighting its sold out houses at the Dolphin Theatre.

This production uses gorgeous Japanese costuming (co-ordinated by Veronica Hudson), which is visually stunning, against a very simple set by Barry Boyd, but this is a decidedly British feeling production, with British accents, decidedly European choreography and no attempt to disguise blonde hair or blue eyes. While the feel is “of the time” there are some fun little Easter Eggs, such as dabbing chorus ladies, Koko’s list being kept on his mobile phone, and the “list” itself is a delight.

The team of principals is outstanding. Nanki-Poo is an earnest and sympathetic hero as played by Chad Henderson, with Mark Thompson’s highly energetic Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner (and villain of sorts) a loveable and worthy foil. Lord High Everything Else, Pooh Bah, is played with excellence by Theodore Murphy-Jelley, with Ross Bryant a lovely Pish Tush. It is worth waiting for the Mikado’s appearance in the second act, with Steve Sherwood owning the title role.

The ladies are equally exciting. The wards of Koko find depth in their roles. Marli van der Bijl is a vocally stunning and very funny Yum Yum - a very different leading lady, Belinda Cox is great fun as Pitti-Sing and Ellen Brookes really sweet as Peep-Bo. The normally beautiful looking Brigitte Heuser clearly relishes her role as the less-than-attractive Katisha, and commands the stage with every appearance.

Great support came from a lovely ensemble, with a wonderful diversity of age, playing the Ladies and Gentlemen of Japan.

Top notch vocals throughout are supported by a 27 piece orchestra, led by Musical Director and Conductor Georg Corall, most of whom are seated where the front row would normally be. Sound quality is very good under less than ideal circumstances.

This modern, very self-aware, and top quality show is among the Society’s most well received productions of recent years, shown by its very early sell-out and very obvious in the audience reactions on opening night. A little Japanese (or not) Jewel.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Michael Page