Post by Talissa on Oct 13, 2003 10:55:32 GMT 11
Not mine, but I thought I'd share anyway
BABIRRA MUSIC THEATRE INC. - “THE MIKADO” by Gilbert & Sullivan
Directed by Tony Bird - Musical Director Juliette Maxwell.
Reviewed 3/10/2003 by John Gunn for 3CR’s “Curtain Up” (855AM) Sundays at One.
“The Mikado” sees Babirra Music Theatre back on familiar ground with this production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s story set in old Japan. Nanki Poo, the son of the Mikado, flees his father’s court in an attempt to escape from the would-be marital clutches of the rather formidable Katisha.
Arriving in the City of Titipu he finds that his true love Yum Yum is engaged to Ko Ko, the Lord High Executioner.
Ko Ko himself has a problem, there have been no executions in Titipu and he has been ordered to rectify this immediately or the city will be turned back into a village, so he strikes a bargain with Nanki Poo; Nanki Poo can marry Yum Yum but after a month Ko Ko will execute him – this means more problems as under an old law Yum Yum who by then will be Nanki-Poo’s widow must be buried alive after her husband’s execution.
During all this chaos Katisha arrives as does the Mikado, however like all good G&S everything is sorted out and all ends happily. I’m sure everyone knows the story so let us look at this production under the direction of Tony Bird.
Well it is a very pleasing production, fairly faithful to G&S but with a few very nice comic touches that will entertain younger audiences and not offend devotees. Add a fairly good cast of principals and the excellent singing of the chorus and you come away nicely entertained; also the show did not appear to be mic’d..
Looking at the cast individually the star attractions would have to be Fernando Tester giving a wonderfully relaxed and comic performance as Ko Ko and Imogene Devereux as the very nasty Katisha and both vocally very adept. They were backed with strong performances by Alan Wright as Pish-Tush and John Filonzi as Pooh-Bah. Barry Page had plenty of vocal strength as The Mikado and Craig Martin and Deborah Tueno had charm as the young lovers Nanki Poo and Yum Yum.
As always the vocal work from the chorus was first rate, costumes looked good and Juliette Maxwell’s musical direction was spot on with her orchestra never drowning out the singers and also giving the score a rather lush sound at times.
Nick Merrylees’ basic lighting design did have a few dark spots particularly down stage left and right and the lighting plot, overall, could have had higher levels and a few specials to lift the production. Also oriental type make-up for the stage should have been much more exaggerated – in this instance a make-up artist would have been an advantage.
The simple movement devised by choreographer Elizabeth Finch was appropriate but performances could have been crisper and had more precision.
I don’t know who designed the set as there was no credit in the programme however it was stylish and uncluttered and sat very well on the Whitehorse stage .
To sum up a very pleasing and fun production of what I’m sure is one of G&S’s most popular shows and last Friday night’s opening performance was very well received by the audience.
THE MIKADO continues at the Whitehorse Centre until next Saturday, with matinees today and next Saturday at 2pm - well worth a visit and you can book on 9853 9261.
……………
Directed by Tony Bird - Musical Director Juliette Maxwell.
Reviewed 3/10/2003 by John Gunn for 3CR’s “Curtain Up” (855AM) Sundays at One.
“The Mikado” sees Babirra Music Theatre back on familiar ground with this production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s story set in old Japan. Nanki Poo, the son of the Mikado, flees his father’s court in an attempt to escape from the would-be marital clutches of the rather formidable Katisha.
Arriving in the City of Titipu he finds that his true love Yum Yum is engaged to Ko Ko, the Lord High Executioner.
Ko Ko himself has a problem, there have been no executions in Titipu and he has been ordered to rectify this immediately or the city will be turned back into a village, so he strikes a bargain with Nanki Poo; Nanki Poo can marry Yum Yum but after a month Ko Ko will execute him – this means more problems as under an old law Yum Yum who by then will be Nanki-Poo’s widow must be buried alive after her husband’s execution.
During all this chaos Katisha arrives as does the Mikado, however like all good G&S everything is sorted out and all ends happily. I’m sure everyone knows the story so let us look at this production under the direction of Tony Bird.
Well it is a very pleasing production, fairly faithful to G&S but with a few very nice comic touches that will entertain younger audiences and not offend devotees. Add a fairly good cast of principals and the excellent singing of the chorus and you come away nicely entertained; also the show did not appear to be mic’d..
Looking at the cast individually the star attractions would have to be Fernando Tester giving a wonderfully relaxed and comic performance as Ko Ko and Imogene Devereux as the very nasty Katisha and both vocally very adept. They were backed with strong performances by Alan Wright as Pish-Tush and John Filonzi as Pooh-Bah. Barry Page had plenty of vocal strength as The Mikado and Craig Martin and Deborah Tueno had charm as the young lovers Nanki Poo and Yum Yum.
As always the vocal work from the chorus was first rate, costumes looked good and Juliette Maxwell’s musical direction was spot on with her orchestra never drowning out the singers and also giving the score a rather lush sound at times.
Nick Merrylees’ basic lighting design did have a few dark spots particularly down stage left and right and the lighting plot, overall, could have had higher levels and a few specials to lift the production. Also oriental type make-up for the stage should have been much more exaggerated – in this instance a make-up artist would have been an advantage.
The simple movement devised by choreographer Elizabeth Finch was appropriate but performances could have been crisper and had more precision.
I don’t know who designed the set as there was no credit in the programme however it was stylish and uncluttered and sat very well on the Whitehorse stage .
To sum up a very pleasing and fun production of what I’m sure is one of G&S’s most popular shows and last Friday night’s opening performance was very well received by the audience.
THE MIKADO continues at the Whitehorse Centre until next Saturday, with matinees today and next Saturday at 2pm - well worth a visit and you can book on 9853 9261.
……………
