Wilton’s Music Hall – until 1 July 2023
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
Sasha Regan’s magnificently silly production of The Mikado is an absolute triumph.
An English schoolboys’ camping trip becomes the fictional land of Titipu when the campfire is lit, the schoolmasters have retired and the boys can play. Regan has anglicised the problematic characters – the wandering minstrel becoming second trombone Bertie Hugh, Yum-Yum is now Miss Violet Plumb – allowing the schoolboys’ jolly japes and the nonsensical traditions of Titipu to be enjoyed with a breath of fresh air.
The bonkers plot revolves around the young lovers Bertie Hugh (Declan Egan) and Miss Violet Plumb (Sam Kipling) and the obstacles to their happiness including the engagement of Violet to her guardian Mr Cocoa (David McKechnie), the pursuit of Bertie by Kitty Shaw (Christopher Hewitt) and his abandoning his royal role to flee Kitty and find Violet. There’s also the small matter of death sentences to be reckoned with. Having escaped being beheaded for the crime of flirting by becoming the Lord High Executioner, Mr Cocoa hasn’t yet carried out his duties, bringing him back to the attention of The Mikado (Lewis Kennedy).
Designer Ryan Dawson Laight has captured the heady twilight atmosphere for the boys’ larks, and the simple set works wonders, with the lone tent used imaginatively to great comedic effect. Adam Haigh’s choreography is crisp and tongue in cheek, perfectly suiting the lyrics and plot.
As ever, the cast switch between male and female roles with slight costume adjustments and beautifully judged changes in pose and gestures. The ensemble work is glorious, and the voices harmonise and blend beautifully. Declan Egan plays Bertie Hugh as an archetypal decent chap from a Bertie Wooster story, looking slightly bewildered by events in a thoroughly charming performance with stunning vocals. Sam Kipling’s soprano is as glorious as ever, and his comedic touches are a delight. The other two little maids, Richard Russell Edwards and Owen Clayton, are a hoot with their clowning and physical comedy. Lewis Kennedy’s entrance as The Mikado is hilarious, and he nails this ridiculous character brilliantly. David McKechnie has the audience in stiches with the slightest eye roll as Mr Cocoa, and his “wooing” of Kitty is a highlight of the show.
The laughs come thick and fast, the musicality is sublime, and the atmosphere is joyous. Sasha Regan has hit the sweet spot again with this camp, clever and charming production of Gilbert and Sullivan.
UK tour dates:
3 – 8 July Theatre Royal Winchester
10 – 15 July Theatre Royal Bath
20 – 22 July Hall For Cornwall, Truro
24 – 29 July Arts Theatre, Cambridge