Review: THE MIKADO, Grimeborn, Arcola Theatre

Charles Court Opera’s The Mikado is yet another success in the company’s growing list of acclaimed small-scale opera productions. It maintains the opera’s timeless charm, strong wit, and with a cast that never takes itself seriously, leads to an evening that has the audience roaring with laughter.

Gilbert and Sullivan were a wonderful team and it’s obvious why their operas are frequently staged after all these years. Their plots and lyrics excellently ridicule the Victorians and their mannerisms while still creating likeable – if absurd – characters. Director John Savournin’s production is somewhat altered to reflect the all-British cast but doesn’t lose the humour on the way.

Colin Cole (Matthew Kellett) – this version’s Ko-Ko – is a superb lead; he has a marvellous tongue-in-cheek air about him and never fails to make the audience smile, even as he’s plotting the death of his rival Charles Chauncey Drew (Robin Bailey) – Nanki-Poo in the original – who has a wide-eyed appeal to him. Victoria Plum (Alys Roberts) – yes, indeed Yum-Yum in the original – is outstanding with a powerful voice to match the tunes perfectly. Savournin himself makes a double appearance as the Mikado and Peter Rush (Pish-Tush).

While this emphasis on making The Mikado be as un-Japanese as possible might sound heavy-handed, it doesn’t really distract from the comedy: there’s nothing Japanese about the characters anyway, and the music continues to shine – no doubt thanks to the stupendous guidance by musical director David Eaton, who also does the accompaniment on the piano. All of the most popular songs – from "Three Little Maids from School" to "I’ve Got a Little List" – are performed masterfully.

It's a safe production that highlights the original despite the changes to the names; there is nothing outrageous about the alterations that ruins the original. An easy recommendation for a relaxed evening of good old-fashioned comedy.

The Mikado runs as part of Grimeborn at Arcola Theatre until 23 September.