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The Mikado, 2016

New co-production with Scottish Opera.

Following their 2013 hit with The Pirates of Penzance, director Martin Lloyd-Evans and choreographer Steve Elias return with one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas. With a storyline packed with anti-Establishment silliness, and self-serving politicians that are all too recognisable today, this playful show is full of family fun, performed to the highest standards.

The Mikado has decreed that flirting should be punishable by death. But when his son Nanki-Poo falls for the beautiful Yum-Yum, it looks like someone might be heading for the executioner’s block. Unfortunately for Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner also has Yum-Yum in his sights. Can a case of mistaken identity save the day?

Sullivan’s sunny and sparkling score is perfectly matched by Gilbert’s satirical lyrics, showing the pair at the height of their creative powers. From the famous ‘Three little maids’ and ‘Tit-willow’ to the witty ‘I’ve got a little list’, the show features some of G&S’s most recognisable tunes.

We welcome back several of the team from The Pirates of Penzance including Richard Suart, Nicholas Sharratt, Rebecca Bottone, former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Sioned Gwen Davies and conductors David Steadman and Derek Clark. Baritone Stephen Richardson sings The Mikado, with comic genius Andrew Shore as Pooh-Bah.

Sung in English with English supertitles
Running time 3 hours approximately