'tis the Season For a Merry Mikado in Port Adelaide

Taking the sea air on the historic ketch Falie at Port Adelaide are two Yum Yums from the Mikado in Port Adelaide. Sarah Jane Pattichis and Grace Bawden both play Yum Yum, one of the three little maids, but on alternate nights on 9 and 11 December at 7.30pm at the Harts Mill Complex Port Adelaide.

Co-Opera's cruisey style of opera comes to Port Adelaide with its easy, breezy, BYO cabaret seating. This rollicking Mikado says 'welcome' to the Christmas season and the Port Adelaide community bringing a new dimension to opera.

As Brian Chatterton, OAM, Director of Co-opera says: "The relaxed informality of Co-Opera's style, presented in a BYO Cabaret, provides an attractive opportunity to experience opera in a non-threatening environment which is far away from the elitism so commonly associated with the art form.

"Nothing could be more enticing for a relaxed pre-Christmas social gathering than to bring a party of friends to Co-Opera's Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado with the casual atmosphere of its BYO cabaret style evening. It's a very different opera experience; far more fun and accessible".

The same brilliant cast, orchestra and director that successfully toured Australia earlier this year, will now perform Gilbert and Sullivan's best loved operetta in the Port.

Mayor Gary Johanson: "We are extremely excited to have Co-Opera's production of The Mikado come to the Port. It promises to be a wonderful opportunity for our community to experience opera, in a relaxed cabaret-style, in the beautiful and unique setting of Hart's Mill.

"The performances will also have the valuable flow-on benefit of funding Co-Opera workshops in Port Adelaide.

"The City of PAE's City Plan 2030 prioritises Community and Placemaking and the Council is proud to support artistic events such as this, to promote arts tourism, as well as social interaction within our region. The Council has been pleased to partner with Renewal SA to bring The Mikado to the Port.

"Proceeds of the Mikado performances will be devoted to free Co-Opera Workshops presented next April for residents of the Port AdelaideEnfield Council area."

The orchestra is drawn from the ranks of the Royal Commonwealth Society Ensemble, directed by Brian Chatterton. The cast, features many well-known names in South Australian music theatre, joined by some very promising, rising talent, ably directed by Richard Trevaskis of G&S fame.

Two casts share roles, with the exception of pivotal characters: The Mikado, Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah are performed by: Daniel Smerdon, Rod Schultz and Eddie Muliau respectively in all performances. With Eddie and Daniel, who are based interstate returning to Adelaide for these performances: "Wouldn't miss it for the world", they said.

For more information visit www.co-opera.com.au.

Photo credit: Lester Wong

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