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The Hot Mikado, Book and lyrics by David H. Bell, music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman, based on The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Directed by Heather French
Performances: Tuesday 3rd Saturday 7th July 2007, Bell Theatre
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado was originally intended to poke fun at England's Victorian bourgeoisie, who had seized on a fad for all things Japanese. Bowman and Bell took this tale and essentially created a ?spoof within a spoof.
The Hot Mikado therefore tells the same story... that of the minstrel Nanki-Poo, who arrives in the town of Titipu in search of the girl of his dreams, Yum-Yum. Meanwhile, Yum-Yumıs guardian the tailor-turned-Lord High Executioner, Ko-Ko is under pressure from the bloodthirsty ruler of the land, the Mikado, to execute somebody within the next month. Simply because he enjoys a good bit of execution.
Nanki-Poo is so infatuated with his sweetheart that he agrees to have his head cut off in exchange for one month of wedded bliss with Yum-Yum. The deal means that Ko-Ko can then claim her as his own bride once Nanki-Poo is dead and gone. This extraordinary plan then takes another twist when the Mikado makes a surprise visit to Titipu.
Confused? You may be. But the real twist in the tale is Bowman and Bell's amazing, 1940s-style swing interpretation of this classic piece of theatre. So sit back, relax and enjoy South London Theatre's colourful Gala production of 2007.
For more details, please contact Heather French Director
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