Arcola Theatre – until 23 September 2023
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
The final show in the Arcola’s Grimeborn Opera Festival 2023 is a polished and playful production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado. Charles Court Opera’s small scale but high-quality version is set in post-World War 2 Japan. The mockery and satire of British politics and society no longer needs to be camouflaged, so the characters are all thoroughly British, with the Mikado being the governor-general and the action set inside the British consulate in Totori. Character names are anglicised – Yum-Yum is now Victoria Plum, Nanki-Poo is Charles Chauncey Drew – and director John Savournin alters a few lines, but this does not diminish the charm and joy of this production. A cast of eight and musical director David Eaton on the piano create a magical show that is simply irresistible.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s witty lyrics and uplifting music are as infectious and entertaining as ever, and the machinations of the Lord High Executioner as he tries to avoid his own death and find someone to behead while contending with the arrival of his bride-to-be’s true love are a treat to watch, however familiar you are with the plot.
In The Arcola’s compact space, Rachel Szmukler’s design is wonderfully evocative of mid-century government offices and gentlemen’s clubs. The besuited diplomats and the three little maids are a delight as the ridiculous affairs of state are manipulated to maintain the Mikado’s nonsensical laws. The entire cast are on top form, with glorious voices and wonderfully arch but also charmingly silly performances. Amongst the marvellous comedy, the slower songs are haunting and the cast’s voices soar beautifully.
John Savournin’s Peter Rush and Matthew Siviter’s Hugh Barr are the epitome of English establishment’s entitlement – smug and pompous, and slightly camp with wonderful comic interplay. Savournin also plays the Mikado with a quiet sense of power and idiotic adherence to his rules reminiscent of the command officers in Blackadder. Robin Bailey and Alys Roberts are an enchanting and very funny couple as Chauncey Drew and Victoria Plum, while Milly King and Jennifer Clark are full of mischief and glee as the other wards of the Lord High Executioner, Colin Cole (Matthew Kellett). Kellett plays the lowly tailor thrust into a position of power is as a wide boy, with wonderful physical comedy highlighting Cole’s constant plotting to keep himself afloat amongst the more polished diplomats. His little list is brilliantly modern, with the inclusion of a few individuals drawing gasps as well as laughs. Katisha and the Mikado arrive in military dress, and Payne’s performance is in the sweet spot between Miss Trunchbull and Rosa Klebb. Kellett’s scenes with Amy J Payne as Katisha are gloriously daft as he woos her and they make a fantastic double act.
Glorious voices and stellar comic performances – You can’t help but smile as this whimsical and lively production.