GILBERT and Sullivan Opera Victoria (GSSV)’s 90th anniversary performance of The Mikado at Berninneit on August 9 & 10 promises an afternoon of pure delight.
Prepare to be entertained right from the first few bars of The Mikado overture with the GSSV orchestra setting the scene for a truly memorable performance from one of the world’s oldest and most outstanding Gilbert and Sullivan ensembles.
An afternoon of song, wit and live music The Mikado is an enduringly popular comic opera with memorable music, endearing characters and some of the wittiest lyrical comedy in the English language.
Featuring much loved songs from the toe tapping singalong crowd favourite Three Little Maids From School Are We, to Behold the Lord High Executioner and the perennial Tit Willow be prepared to be to be transported into the magical world that is Gilbert and Sullivan.
The Titipu special arriving with the spurned Katisha turns everything topsy-turvy with melodious mischief and preposterous plots.
Nanki-Poo loves Yum-Yum, but she’s betrothed to Ko-Ko, the new Lord High Executioner.
When the Mikado or Emperor orders a beheading, Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko try to come to an arrangement that doesn’t involve anyone losing their head.
Poking fun at staid social norms, absurd etiquette and the weighty bureaucracy of colonising Victorian England the distracting beauty of the Japanese setting gives The Mikado an enduring timeless quality.
Founded in 1935 by JC Williamson with the University of Melbourne and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Victoria, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria Inc (GSSV) is one of the three oldest continuously performing groups in Australia.
The Society is a registered charity, independent and self-funded with Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC. Governor of Victoria the Patron.
Re-written with an extremely funny local reference I've Got a Little List is a highlight of the show and sure to strike a humorous chord with local audiences.
“If you think you’ve seen too many Mikado’s this one might be the one change your mind,” said one critic.
Although predominately an older audience for the matinee the grandchildren in the audience came away thoroughly entertained by the absurdity of this Gilbert and Sullivan farce.
Stand-out performances by Peter Hanway, John Parncutt, Cindy Lui, Lachlan McIntyre and Phil Elphinstone as Pooh Bah, Ko-Ko, Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo and The Mikado with superb musical direction by John Ferguson under the guiding hand of Director, Designer and Choreographer Andrew McGrail the GSSV can be justly proud of this touring masterpiece.
We look forward to a return visit to the Bass Coast by this outstanding company.
Wheelchair spaces and companion seating are available at Berninneit so don’t be late.
With a full house expected for both performance be sure to book early.
Tickets for The Mikado are available at basscoastculturalvenues.com
