Review: ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL 2017: THE THREE MIKADOS at Dunstan Playhouse

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Monday 12th June 2017

Three comedians and a pianist. The Three Mikados is not your standard Mikado. If I add to that by saying three brilliant comedians and a fabulous pianist, it still doesn't tell you the range of performance achieved, or the hilarity reached, or the stunning beauty of the voices in the slightly more serious scenes.

This was a romp from start to finish, both for the audience to witness and the performers on stage, with the actors enjoying themselves so much that the show went overtime by almost half an hour. John Thorn accompanied on grand piano perfectly, changed light opera to occasional ragtime, sang chorus, joined in on the jokes and was musical director of the show, talented man that he obviously is.

Colin Lane, David Collins and Amy G were the actors that played all parts, brilliantly, often playing three at once each, utilising sight gags, accents, and mime as part of each character distinguishing. A crowd favourite was Amy Gs' down home southern country official Pish Tush, complete with yee-haws and stage galloping.

Blatant scene-stealing abounded, long-running gags of upstaging, including some beautifully managed, very long, lingering exits. Colin Lane appeared to lead the action, with camped up behaviour reminiscent of the late Kenneth Williams.

David Collins teamed up with Amy Gordon to disrupt Lane's control, adding amusing anarchy at each turn. Stage tantrums, bullying momentarily decided auditions, in-fighting over character portrayals, and the disrespecting of the home crowd, were interspersed throughout the operatic performance. The three led us through the story of love lost and won, all singing and dancing and joking.

The entire set and prop design consisted of a vase of cherry blossom, a screen painted with Mount Fuji, or possibly the Matterhorn, and several fans. With only this small amount of backup and appropriate lighting changes, the audience were treated to an abridged version of the Mikado, complete with all of the characters, favourite songs, and even more humour than the original.

I am sure that Gilbert and Sullivan would approve. To post a comment, you must register and login.

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