My least favourite of the three but still entertaining
The same Esgee company who did this production also did The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, both of which I liked more. Not that the Mikado was bad or anything like it, but pace wise it doesn't have the energy of especially HMS Pinafore. This is mostly because there are some jokes and gags that are rather drawn out and one or two of them, such as the nose mucus, don't quite work.
That said, a lot of the dialogue is very funny, the best coming from Ko-Ko, though Po-Bah(with the arguments between him and the conductor this time about notes) and the Singing Singlettes have their moments too. This despite the flaws is an entertaining production with very nice oriental-looking set and costume design. The G&S tunes, arranged and conducted very interestingly for synthesised band, are outstanding, the choreography refreshing and energetic and the story while dragging a tad in spots is fun.
The cast like Pirates and Pinafore do give it their all. Derek Metzger is a dashing Nanki-Poo, and Terri Crouch is an alluring Yum-Yum even if her accent crept in a lot. David Gould is imposing in the titular role, and Bev Schean as Katisha cuts a fine figure on stage and possesses a very limpid alto voice. The three Singing Singlettes are a lot of fun, and while his material wasn't as funny as it was in Pirates Jon English has his moments as Po-Bah. This time though, it was Drew Forsythe who really captivated, his comic timing is just superb.
All in all, entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox
That said, a lot of the dialogue is very funny, the best coming from Ko-Ko, though Po-Bah(with the arguments between him and the conductor this time about notes) and the Singing Singlettes have their moments too. This despite the flaws is an entertaining production with very nice oriental-looking set and costume design. The G&S tunes, arranged and conducted very interestingly for synthesised band, are outstanding, the choreography refreshing and energetic and the story while dragging a tad in spots is fun.
The cast like Pirates and Pinafore do give it their all. Derek Metzger is a dashing Nanki-Poo, and Terri Crouch is an alluring Yum-Yum even if her accent crept in a lot. David Gould is imposing in the titular role, and Bev Schean as Katisha cuts a fine figure on stage and possesses a very limpid alto voice. The three Singing Singlettes are a lot of fun, and while his material wasn't as funny as it was in Pirates Jon English has his moments as Po-Bah. This time though, it was Drew Forsythe who really captivated, his comic timing is just superb.
All in all, entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 31, 2011