The Mikado or The Town of Titipu

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society is celebrating its 90^th anniversary. It is an outstanding achievement for the Society to have made Gilbert and Sullivan works available to audiences for nearly a century and to be a pivotal musical theatre company in Victoria.

The Mikado was the ninth of the fourteen collaborations between Gilbert and Sullivan, and one of their most popular works. The operetta opened on 14 March 1885 at the Savoy Theatre, London. So, 2025 is not only is the GSOV 90^thanniversary, but it is also The Mikado’s 140^th.

The narrative unfolds in city of Titipu where Nanki-Poo, disguised, seeks to marry his love Yum-Yum, who is engaged to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Due to a law involving execution and marriage, they forge an agreement to avoid actual execution, but complications arise when Katisha threatens exposure and the Mikado arrives. Ultimately, Nanki-Poo reveals himself, agreements are made, and the Mikado pardons all, resolving the conflicts happily.

The Mikado was written as a satire of late 19^th century British institutions, society, and politics, which is recognizable from the numerous name puns such as Titipu, Nanki-Poo, Pooh-Bah, Pitti-Sing, Pish-Tush, and Peep-Bo. Director/Designer/Choreographer of this GSOV production, Andrew McGrail, has leaned heavily into the era, “My setting is influenced by the Meiji period (1868-1912 ) during which Japan underwent a period of rapid transformation from a feudal society to an industrialized nation. So, while the stuffy English satirised by The Mikado were fascinated by the novelty of Japanese objects -with an exhibition in London running for two years (1885-86) - Japan looked to England (and other European countries) for examples of how a modern, powerful Japan should present itself to the world. The men’s chorus wear European business attire, while many of the ladies wear a semi-formal Hakama.”

Andrew’s set has impressive train carriages travelling on and off the stage to an imaginary Titipu station in Act 1 and a Japanese-themed garden for Act 2. The trains, inspired by the original of the Tokyo Underground, also transported the cast. A shadowy figure holding the moon and sun above was a nice touch. This is Andrew’s second time heading The Mikado, having directed GSOV’s 2018 production.

The Mikado has many catchy and well-known tunes including ‘A Wand’ring Ministrel I’, ‘Three Little Maids from School Are We’, ‘Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day’ and ‘On a Tree by a River’(Willow, tit-willow). This production was beautifully supported by Conductor/Musical Director, John Ferguson, and a twelve-piece orchestra. John is highly credentialled, holding a Master’s in Conducting and a PhD. His list of productions is also impressive. The orchestra were brilliant, and worked together, with not a note wrong or beat out of place.

John Parncutt as Ko-Ko was a great character on stage in this pivotal role. This is his third GSOV show, having recently sung Despard in Ruddigore and Einstein in Fledermaus. He imbued his character with wit and fun and avoided over-acting. In ‘As Some Day It May Happen’ (Little List Song) he did a great job of modernising the lyrics that is a tradition in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and the audience laughed along. “There’s the Tik Tok Teens and hashtag queens, vaccine influencers, why bother with the science when we have these amateurs.” “But your card will be dismissed By Myki you’ve been dissed! And that ever-present sign declaring “bus replaces train” I don’t think they’d be missed, Those trains that don’t exist.”

Lachlan McIntyre and Cindy Lui were a solid partnership as Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum. Both are highly trained singers with extensive performance experience and exuded great chemistry and stage presence. The Mikado has many songs in a variety of character groupings and every song was good.

Lynlee Williams as Katisha and Peter Hanway as Pooh-Bah relished their roles and imbued the necessary humour. Phil Elphinstone in the titular role, Nick Sharman as Pish-Tush, Katherine Stewart as Pitti-Sing, and Hayley Jobson as Peep-Bo all sang well and had a strong understanding of their characters. Everyone sang well and worked as a team.

The ensemble was well-rehearsed and worked well together. A minor comment is that some costumes had visible pins holding them together or gaps, and the hands of cast members were visible in the wings at times, tapping along with the music.

Congratulations to the creative team, crew, and cast, and everyone at GSOV for an enjoyable production of The Mikado.

Jane Court

Photographer: Torquil Syme