The Mikado @ Theatre Royal, 14 May
Scottish Opera's co-production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado with D’Oyly Carte has all the bite and humour of the original piece with just enough of a modern twist, as it transports its audience across Victorian England, Japan and present-day Scotland.
Telling a tale as old as time itself – of a young couple in love and the obstacles they must overcome to be together – The Mikado takes this to ridiculous extremes, something which this production does not shy away from. The overture presents Ko-Ko as a magician, while the wandering minstrel Nanki-Poo is interpreted as one-man band. The set mirrors the spectacle with the lovers' story played out before the backdrop of a giant, translucent skeleton's hand, and the costumes too mix the traditional Victorian and Japanese forms of dress to create something that stands out on each of the principal characters.
Nicholas Sharatt's Nanki-Poo is sickly-sweet in his love for Yum-Yum (Rebecca Bottone), while she simpers in stereotypical schoolgirl fashion and inevitably always gets what she wants. But it's Richard Stuart, as The Lord High Executioner, whose newly-updated 'List' elicits the most laughs from the audiences, in particular with a non-mention of a certain political pig.
Of course, the laughs wouldn't hold up without the excellent music and lyrics, conducted by Derek Clark and David Steadman. The choreography is simple yet effective and the whole event pulls together to make a thoroughly enjoyable night out at the theatre.
The Mikado, touring.