THEATRE REVIEWS

W. S. Gilbert would have loved this adaptation of his Japanese tale of mischief and love. All of Arthur Sullivan’s music is here with new words by director Chris Monks and a new view of the Mikado. The original was way ahead of its time and so is this. Just what the younger generation needs to attract it back to the theatre. Slightly wacky, but retaining the quality of the music to allow them to acquire a taste for the best.

The setting is way out, being a cricket pitch, invaded by a girls’ hockey team. Now that is fantasy, and that is what ensues. All the structure of Gilbert is there and all the melody by Sullivan, which gives the cast plenty of scope to give voice to political comments and topics of the day supplied by Chris Monks. And by don’t the cast give it some stick with a range of delightful voices. Let us mention those on stage. Florence Andrews (Yum-Yum), Jared Ashe (Pish-Tush), Pete Ashmore (1st Team Captain), Dominic Brewer (Nanki-Poo), Kieran Buckeridge (Ko-Ko), Claude Close (Pooh-Bah), Clare Corbett (Pitti- Sing), Julie Jupp (Katisha), Naomi Said (Peep-Bo), Lisa Stevenson (Mrs Pooh-Bah) and Kraig Thornber (The Mikado ) who make this creative team of players bent on giving pleasure to their audience. The pace is energy sapping and the quality is without fault.

Now non of this could have been achieved without the The Tipipu Town Band under the direction of Richard Atkinson assisted by Pete Ashmore (violin) and Kraig Thornber (percussion) and members of the two teams on stage. What will take your eye is the lighting effects supplied by Paul Stear played out on a set designed by Sue Condie. Beverley Norris-Edmunds supplied the choreogapic direction. The Front of House team were spot on form with their help; only let down by the person in charge of the lift again.

So what did the the audience think - they loved it, no matter what age they were. This is well worth the effort and expense of a trip to the theatre. Make time, it’s the cricket season. © BA

“The Mikado” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 8th July to the 4th of September, 2010. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541. Ticket prices: Adults £9 - £20. Duration 2 hours 30 minutes with a 20 minutes interval. The lift should be working at least 15 minutes before the curtain rises.