BRACE yourself for a great time as Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious satire The Mikado goes on stage at the Palace Theatre.
Performed by Astwood Bank Operatic Society and starring Matt Street and Beth Smith, it’s packed with familiar tunes, great lyrics and laughs galore.
Set in a mythical Japan – a thinly disguised Victorian England – the story concerns Nanki-Poo, the son of the Emperor of Japan who sets out to find Yum-Yum the love of his life, while fleeing from the horrible Katisha, to whom he has been promised.
All sorts of comic situations arise leading to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, facing a ‘punishment to fit the crime’ for telling the Mikado that he has executed his son – how will he get out of this fix?
Yet, in spite of some near decapitation and boilings in oil, it’s a fun show for all the family.
The Mikado – or ‘The Town of Titipu’ – was first performed in spring 1885 and was such an instant hit that by the end of that year it is estimated that at least 150 theatre companies in Europe and North America were producing it.
It’s stayed a firm favourite ever since not least because, by setting it in Japan, it gave Gilbert and Sullivan free rein to send up British social mores, politics and institutions.
Produced by Bev Hatton the Astwood Bank Operatic Society’s take on The Mikado runs from March 6-8 at 7.30pm with a matinee performance on March 9 at 2.30pm.
For tickets, priced from £17, visit the Palace box office or call 01527 65203 or visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk .
