The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan.

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Producer and director Sasha Regan’s All-Male casting of Operetta The Mikado returns to the stage in 2023, first performed in 2017 to well-received critical acclaim. It’s full of the charm first created by Gilbert and Sullivan which saw its first staged performance in 1885.

Set in the 1950’s during a Scout camping trip (that’s my interpretation of the setting) the classic storyline of The Mikado plays out. Love, lust and a few awkward twists along the way makes for an entertaining evening. Miss Violet Plumb ( Sam Kipling) is promised to the much older Mr Cocoa (David McKechnie). However, Violet has fallen in love with Bertie Hugh ( Oliver Bradley-Taylor). Mr Cocoa agrees to their marriage as long Bertie is beheaded within a month leaving Violet free to marry him. The path of “true” love doesn’t exactly go to plan!

Bluebell Tring (Owen Clayton) and Hebe Flo (Richard Russell Edwards) have fantastic onstage chemistry. In the second act during a pampering session for all the “ladies” the pair are performing facial waxes and shaves. After a painful waxing experience performed on Hebe, her revenge on Bluebell created much laughter in the audience. A very fine comedy duo.

Kipling’s solo performances throughout the evening were incredible. I was totally in awe of his ability to hit some of the very high notes with confidence and ease.

Anto Buckley (Musical Director) accompanies and conducts the entire performance from a single piano. If you could not see him you would easily believe that more musicians were accompanying the cast throughout the performance.

A great entertaining night out with an extremely talented all-male cast. The applause they received at the end echoed my enjoyment of the production. Another achievement from the creative director Sasha Regan.

For more information on The Mikado tour dates and future productions at Theatre Royal Winchester please use the links below.

Photo credit Mark Senior.

https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/mikado

https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/the-mikado/

Published by Outthere1971

Looking back at my original biography section on here I can see how far my writing life has gone. With two Edinburgh Fringe seasons behind me and a huge variety of Theatres visited things have grown beyond my wildest dreams. I now write for my own blog, London Theatre Reviews and Broadway Baby. On top of this I am an Off West End Senior Assessor and throughout lockdown helped turn the Oncomm into a success and watched Scenesaver become a huge success. Recently I was on the panel to vote for Scenesaver production awards. It has been an amazing journey and I am looking forward to the Theatres reopening next week (from 17th May 2021). My original introduction is underneath as a reminder to myself of just how far I have come. Long may it continue. My social media accounts are Twitter @ElaineC_reviews Instagram @Fateprcompany I am an English graduate who loves the arts. However, I do battle with dyslexia and when I make any errors it is not deliberate. I am a fourty something, mother of 4 who wants to try my hand at writing reviews. All blogged reviews are my personal opinions. Any event blogged I will have personally attended. If you like my work please feel free to share it or if you would like a review written please message me on elaine_chapman@rocketmail.com Thank you for visiting me. All my work is covered under the UK copyright laws.

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One thought on “The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan.”

  1. Reblogged this on Alles ein Theater – von und mit Frank Wesner and commented:
    Sasha Regan und ihre extremely talented all-male casts – “H.M.S. Pinafore” habe ich von ihr 2014 gesehen.
    Und 2003 den “Mikado” in Berlin im Saalbau Neukölln mit Matthias Jahrmärker als Der Mikado, Renate Dasch als Katisha, Dame am Hof des Mikado plus sieben weitere Spieler in der Inszenierung von Dirk Rave, mit Musikalischer Leitung von Sabine Wüsthoff

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