The Mikado - The Lowry - 16/01/08 by Jo Beggs

If Gilbert and Sullivan makes you think of tediously long productions by amateur operatic companies in school halls, Opera Della Luna will make you think again with their fresh reworking of this operetta favourite.

The Mikado bursts onto the stage with all the energy (and more than a little of the camp) of panto, wows the audience with it’s over the top visuals and slickly updates the whole thing, whilst losing nothing of spirit Messrs. G & S intended all those years ago (123 to be precise). The Lord High Executioner’s ‘little list’ dispenses with the miscreants of the late nineteenth century and targets more contemporary nuisances – from people who answer their mobiles in the theatre, to bent politicians. Similarly the punishment fits the crime for graffitists and political party fundraisers. It’s cleverly written to be almost indistinct from the existing original lines – and it all gets a great laugh.

So kimonos are out and all the glitz of Versace and Gaultier is in. The first act is set in a tailor’s shop, strewn with fabulous fabrics, the second half in a wonderfully kitsch garden with topiary mannequins and lamps with flowery shades (which light up when watered!). It’s a visual delight, theatre in garish Technicolor.

The cast is strong, with particular mention going to Simon Butteriss, whose portrayal of Ko-Ko is a camp delight and Abigail Iveson as Pitti-Sing whose comic timing and visual humour make much of what is generally an under-employed side-kick role.

It was an unfortunate opening night for Pamela Hay who plays Yum-Yum. Having broken her elbow in rehearsal she had also come down with a throat infection. Despite soldiering on amiably this did mean that her voice was drowned out by the others in three- and four-part songs and, this being a chorus-less production, the power of some of the songs where the chorus would usually participate was lost. In particular when rigorous dance routines were involved there was some loss of harmony and musical continuity.

I have to admit, I’ve been an active part of those overlong school hall performances myself. They’re always more fun for those on stage than those enduring the wooden assembly chairs. Here there’s an equal amount of fun going on for the cast and the audience. A thoroughly enjoyable romp which proves the endurance of good theatre in the hands of an inventive company.