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Post by magic8ball on Sept 27, 2003 16:36:08 GMT 11
Talissa, I thought that you would be interested to know that I bought tickets to see The Mikado in Pittsburgh in October. The funny thing is that I know next to nothing about the show... could you give me some info?
-John
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Post by Talissa on Sept 27, 2003 17:18:47 GMT 11
Wonderful! Have you ever seen a G&S show before? If not, be prepared for a beautifully convoluted plot. The show is set in Titipu, a small Japanese town which is ruled by KoKo, the Lord High Executioner. Now, the only reason he has that post is because he was the next in line to be executed, and the people of the town figured that, if they made him the LHE, no executions would be able to take place until he executed himself, which would be rather messy. Now, he has a collections of wards, young girls, and is planning to marry the most beautiful of them, Yum Yum. However, Nanki Poo, a wandering minstrel, turns up and announces his love for Yum Yum (which is returned), but is informed that Ko Ko is no longer about to be executed, so Nanki Poo's suit is hopeless. So in desperation, he goes off to hang himself. Now, Ko Ko has just received a letter from the Mikado, the ruler of Japan, informing him that the lack of executions in Titipu has been noticed, and if there isn't one soon, there will be trouble. So, to avoid having to kill himself, Ko Ko must find a substitute. Coming across Nanki Poo about to hang himself, they make a deal that Nanki Poo may marry Yum Yum, as long as he agrees to let himself be executed after a month. That all works well until it is pointed out that by law, the wife of an executed man must be buried alive, so Yum Yum objects, and Ko Ko realises he won't be able to marry Yum Yum after all. So, desparate to have a death certificate written up, they write up Nanki Poo's execution, and send him off to marry Yum Yum. Now, during this, the Mikado decides to come visit in person, with his daughter-in-law elect, Katisha, who is engaged to marry Nanki Poo, who is really son of the Mikado. The Mikado is pleased when he sees the death certificate until Katisha notices the name on the certificate, and demands the deaths of all involved in the death of her fiance. So, to appease her, Ko Ko decides to woo Katisha, and is successful. Only after they are wed does Nanki Poo return, and they all pretty much live (more or less) happily ever after. (And this isn't even the most convoluted G&S plot  ) When are you going to see Mikado? Tell me what you think of it! ~Julia |
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Post by magic8ball on Sept 28, 2003 2:27:11 GMT 11
Thanks for that, Talissa. (my head is still spinning  ) I'm going to see it on October 16 (the day before my birthday  ). I'll be sure to write up a review. ;D -John |
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Post by magic8ball on Oct 18, 2003 7:22:45 GMT 11
Well, I saw the show yesterday (which makes today my birthday ), and I really enjoyed it. It was a very unique show. The acting was top-notch, as were the set and the costumes, and I loved the quirky storyline. While the comedy was light-hearted, there were some side-splitting one-liners that made me laugh all the way home. "I was born sneering." "I'll start with a gerbil and make my way through the animal kingdom..." Also, someone said the word 'vertibrae' today, and I couldn't stop humming the part of "The Criminal Cried As He Dropped Him Down" where Pitti-Sing sings "Vertibreeee." LOL. I'm really glad I went. -John |
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Post by Talissa on Oct 18, 2003 15:03:38 GMT 11
I'm glad you enjoyed it. It really is an excellent show, as are all G&S. Our Ko Ko finished this line; "I'll start with a gerbil and make my way through the animal kingdom..." with "until I get to theatre-goers who don't turn off their mobile phones" So, do you think you'll be venturing into any more G&S after this?  ~Julia |
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Post by magic8ball on Oct 29, 2003 9:32:48 GMT 11
As a matter of fact, I will be venturing into more G&S in the near future. I am going to go see Pirates of Penzance at a local theatre in February. Know anything about that show? -John |
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Post by Talissa on Oct 29, 2003 9:47:00 GMT 11
Aha, now I prefer Pirates of Penzance to Mikado. It's a great show, with some fun music. It's the story of a pirate lad, Frederick, who's turned 21, so is legally freed from the contract that bound him to the pirate band, so he decides to leave them to live an honest life. On leaving the ship, he comes across the daughters of Major General Stanley, in particular Mabel, with whom he falls in love on the spot. But just as he's settling into life about to be married to her, the Pirate King makes an appearance with news that he was born on the 29th of February, so in terms of birthdays, he is only 5 and a little bit over, thus still bound to them. So he is forced to leave Mabel and rejoin the pirates, who are seeking revenge on the Major General for lying to them to save his petty hide. Quite a predicament Enjoy it! ~Julia |
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Post by Buff on Oct 30, 2003 8:48:33 GMT 11
But just as he's settling into life about to be married to her, the Pirate King makes an appearance with news that he was born on the 29th of February, so in terms of birthdays, he is only 5 and a little bit over, thus still bound to them. Sounds like "A paradox, a paradox ...." Magic, it's a great show. I've seen it a couple of times including a video of an Australian cast doing it - can be extremely funny. Plus "I am a Pirate King" is one of my favourite songs! Buff |
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