The Mikado is the most popular of all the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. And for good reason. It’s full of preposterous characters, hum-along tunes and laugh-out-loud humour.

Here’s the story. The Mikado’s son has run away from an arranged marriage and has disguised himself as a second-rate musician. He falls for the beautiful Yum-Yum who’s unfortunately engaged to the town executioner who can’t do his job. Why? Because he would have to chop off his own head. As they say in The Mikado, “here’s a how de do!” And then the Mikado and his daughter–in-law-elect show up to complicate things even more. Will true love triumph? Or will the punishment fit the crime?

The Mikado was written during the Victorian craze for everything Japanese. And since our current culture is also fascinated by Japan, this is a perfect opportunity for a revival. The first act has a lot of fun with cutting edge technology (including a dance with cell phones) and contemporary Japanese style. Traditionalists need not fear – the cast is swathed in gorgeous kimonos for the second half of the evening. And we won’t miss a note of the original score.

Click here for comprehensive overview of The Mikado