Kings Theatre, Edinburgh – until 2 March 2019
Reviewed by Siobhan Wilson
4****
This Gilbert & Sullivan classic is brought to life beautifully with modernisation threaded throughout.
The curtain rises to audible gasp from the audience to the beautifully painted yet simply put together set. The opening let people a little restless in its length. It was difficult to focus on the incredible musical ensemble as the rotating projector was making you feel dizzy. Luckily once the people emerged, the show really began. The script allowing the modern take to continue with Gilbert & Sullivan’s vision of freedom to address political issues right here in the UK by setting the Opera in the far off country of Japan.
In the little town of Titipu, Japan, where you can get punished to death for flirting, The High Executioner, Ko-Ko is set to marry one of his wards named Yum-Yum when her long lost love interest, Nanki-Poo, comes into the village to find her. The story unfolds that the Mikado is concerned that nobody has been executed in Titipu for over a year, and an execution must then be carried out in within a month. So, The High Executioner on advice from the ‘The High Everything Else’ agrees that Nanki-Poo can marry Yum-Yum so long as he gets executed after a month, which would allow Nanki-Poo to marry Ko-Ko as planned. The promised Katisha, comes in search of Nanki-Poo as he bailed on her the night before the wedding, with hilarious consequences. An unexpected visit from the Mikado, really sends the town into a tizzy. The twists and turns through this come unexpectedly, the comical timing and delivery was impeccable.
Colin Tovey as Ko-Ko was inspired. His whole performance was effortless and hilarious. He had the air of a Jester of the Court whilst holding the audience in the palm of his hand leading the story down the tumultuous path. His ability to deliver was second to none. He managed to address the modern political issues & PC warriors in a style that Gilbert & Sullivan would have been proud of.
Simon Boothroyd as Pooh-Bah the High Everything else has something very familiar about him and his dry sarcastic humor immediately likens him to that one uncle who sits in the corner at parties trying to make every situation as awkward as possible in the most comical way. Simon’s expressive face means that he can impact the scene without even saying a word.
I would recommend this to anyone especially as in introduction to the opera. There are scripted and lyrical sections which makes it a smooth and enjoyable experience.