(Pic: Marina Botha as Yum Yum in “The Mikado”)Although condensed, production still sticks well to the spirit of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. (Review by Maurice Kort)
The Mikado is one of Gilbert & Sullivan's best known and most performed operettas, and for good reason. It contains some of their best known songs and funniest lines and has them at their most satirical. They certainly reflected the times and in a way that would have been censored if the operettas had not been written as they were. Sadly, professional Gilbert & Sullivan gems are now seldom performed in Durban due to the high cost of mounting a full cast production. Fortunately Themi Venturas of the Catalina Theatre discovered the innovative condensed version of this G & S classic by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Department of Performing Arts - Vocal Art and has brought the show to Durban during their holidays for a short season.
Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan therefore have a rare opportunity to hear The Mikado – in Miniature. Don't miss the opportunity, it is well worth it. It is performed by a small cast of nine talented students of opera and, although condensed, it still sticks well to the spirit of the operetta with much of its humour. From the moment one enters the theatre and sees the simple Japanese style set one enters into the atmosphere of the East.
The book and lyrics have been adapted by Gertjan Holthausen and Tinus Spies (who are also the executive producers, with the former being the production manager and the latter the director).
For those uninitiated, the story concerns Nanki-Poo, the Mikado's son, who has fled from the court in disguise A Wand'ring Minstrel I to escape having to marry Katisha who is hopelessly in love with him and whom his father has commanded him to marry. A year previously, Nanki-Poo had seen and fallen in love with the lovely Yum-Yum but she is betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko. Having heard that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death he returns to find Yum-Yum - but to his dismay, he discovers that Ko-Ko has been reprieved and is now the Lord High Executioner of Titipu. Not to be outdone, the portly Poo-Bah has accepted all the high offices of State, i.e. the Lord High Everything Else. Yum-Yum arrives with her two sisters Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo in preparation for her wedding in the delightful classic Three Little Maids from School are We.
In the typical convoluted Gilbert & Sullivan scenario, Nanki-Poo is devastated at not being able to marry Yum-Yum and is contemplating suicide by hanging. This solves Ko-Ko's problem of the Mikado's displeasure at his not having executed anyone which he must do within a month. In return for Nanki-Poo allowing himself to be executed, he may marry Yum-Yum for a month until the execution. However there are complications. If a married man is executed, his wife must be buried alive Here's a How-de-do! If I Marry You. Furthermore, Katisha arrives on the scene and there is the pending arrival of the Mikado.
Without the luxury of a full orchestra, the cast are accompanied by Engeli Le Roux (the musical director, with Tinus Spies) on piano and this works very well. The rest of the cast are currently studying at the TUT and this tour to the Catalina is part of their practical exams for this year. They perform their roles well. Richard Ndzombane (Nanki-Poo) needs to project more as he is a little soft but he has great potential. Marina Botha (Yum-Yum) acts well and one hears every word of her songs clearly. This cannot always be said of Thabo Makgolo (Pooh-Bah). Gertjan Holthausen (Kok-Ko) made the most of the plum role of Koko-Ko but tended to be a bit too boisterous at times. Hantro Botha as Katisha also lifted the production with each entrance. Tinus Spies as the Mikado was suitably domineering and feared. Deidre van Schalkwyk as Pitti-Sing and Annemartie Steenkamp as Peep-Bo made a delightful trio with Marina Botha (Yum-Yum). Making up the cast is John Sibiya as Pish-Tush, a Noble Lord and he has a good stage presence.
One cannot help but enjoy the operetta if one is a Gilbert & Sullivan fan, and generally one either loves them or hates them, there is seldom an in-between. Thank you, Themi.
The Mikado Miniature runs at Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf, from September 10 to 13 and again from September 17 to 20 from Thursdays to Saturdays at 20h00, as well as Saturday early shows at 17h00 and Sundays at 14h00 and 18h00. Tickets R75 with a "buy one get on free" at the matinees. Pensioner and student concessions are R40. Book now on 031 305 6889. – Maurice Kort
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