2003 – The Mikado

2003

SHOW SYNOPSIS Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado and heir tot he Japanese throne, has fled the imperial court to escape marriage to the fearsome Katisha. Disguised as a minstrel, he returns to the town of Titipu to claim his true love, the little maid Yum-Yum, but is devastated to find she is about to wed her guardian Ko-Ko, the recently-appointed Lord High Executioner.

The comfortable lives of Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah (the towns much-titled public official) and Pish-Tush (his warrior assistant) are threatened by orders from the Mikado to hold a public execution within a month or face downgrading of the towns status.

The lovelorn Nanki-Poo is persuaded to become the necessary victim, Ko-Ko sweetening the deal by allowing him to marry Yum-Yum for the month prior to his appointment with Ko-Ko’s highly inexperienced axemanship.

Katisha discovers Nanki-Poo, and, when he rejects her, threatens vengance. A minor glitch is also discovered in the matter of the forthcoming execution: the wife of the victim must be buried alive, a prospect Yum-Yum finds strangely unappealing.

A false affidavit is made purporting that the execution has taken place; Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum are urged to immediately leave.

The Mikado, a particulalry humane and philanthropic emperor (by his own reckoning), arrives with his court, and on hearing the slightly embellished news that his son has been beheaded, orders the execution of Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Yum-Yum’s three companion maids.

The lunch break before the executions gives Ko-Ko just enough time to win Katisha’s affections. Newly married, she pleads for the lives of the condemned, with the appearance of Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum allowing the Mikado to merciful, and setting the scene foe a spectacular megamix finale.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager Bernie Noonan
Directors Steven Watts and Michael Williams
Vocal Director Brooke Williamson
Musical Director Angus Macpherson
Choreographer Helena Moore
Rehearsal Pianist Danielle Philpot
Stage Manager Barrie Johnson
Assistant Stage Manager Carolyn Johnson
Stage Crew Simon Goodwin, Mykel Goodwin
Lighting John Gunn
Lighting Assistant David Prince
Sound John Bamford
Mic. Change Co-ordinator Michael Brown
Follow Spot John Goodwin
Spot Maree Woodhouse
Properties Evelyn Platt, Jean Platt
Special Props John Goodwin
Calls Janet Bell
Makeup Marlo Spikin, Clare Drylie, Mihiro Aoki, Kylie Mitchell
Costume Co-ordinator Andrea Sampson
Wardrobe Assistants Rosemary Gunn, Joan McIntyre, Lesley Johnson, Meike Van Zelst
Set Design Steve Bell, Steven Watts, Michael Williams
Set Construction Trevor Williams, George Watts
Set Art Director Daniel Kirk
Set Painters Gavin ballard, Steven Watts, Michael Williams, Angus Macpherson
Publicity/Advertising Co-ordinator Sue Spartels
Programme Sue Spartels, Robert Moore, Zack Pretlove, Tracey Jennings
Archival Research Bernie Noonan
Programme/Publicity Artwork Gareth Colliton
Additional Artwork Mayumi Slockwitch, Adam Kirk, Daniel Kirk
Photography Robert Moore
Front of House Kathryn Suggett, Brooke Madex, Stephanie Peters, Marlee Ryan, Lisa Macdonald, Mathew Orchard, Stephanie Politis
CAST
Principals
Nanki-Poo Adam Kirk
Pooh-Bah Ben Barber
Yum-Yum Brooke Williamson
Ko-Ko Zack Pretlove
Katisha Emily Barber
Peep-Bo Sonia Moloney
Pitti-Sing Kelly Plozza
Yoko-Ono Kathryn Moloney
Pish-Tush Tyler Hess
The Mikado Daniel Newell
Cast
Al Lucy Bool
Akebono Tom Ballard
Akiko Rose Scroggie
Angus Ash Chandler-Pease
Asuka Frith Knappett
Cheiko Helena Moore
Chuck Aiden Cooper
Genki Megan Twycross
Hitomi Alyse Cook
Ikumi Sharni Bell
Irene Erin Hurley
Jyunko Leah Senior
Kaori Sophie Lyon
Kitti Aimee Walters
Maiko Juliet Anderson
Mamiko Hannah Leith
Masahiro Daniel Gilchrist
Midori Sarah Parkes
Miho Erin Jellie
Mokurai Daniel Higgins
Moo-Su David Prince
Nakata Stephen Walters
Natsuko Clare Marshall
Oot Oot Manoot Gavin Ballard
Shinkai Brad Mathieson
Stir-Fry Damien Ryan
Takahiro Mark Hayes
Takako Erin Groves
Tamomi Emily Bowser
Tomogachi Kate Lumsden
Wampaku Kim Watts
Yokohama Ewan Haldane
Yoshihiro Stephen Moore
Yumi Laura Platt
ORCHESTRA
Percussion/Electric guitar Ross Beaton
Drums Peter O’Keefe
Keyboard 1 Jonathon Cox
Percussion Josh Ratcliff
Bass Guitar Peter Bouwman
Keyboard 2 Richard Ross