Hot Mikado

Published by: kelly potter on 28th May 2009 | View all blogs by kelly potter

The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch.

Directed bt Matt Devitt, this production featuring members of the multi talented resident company, Cut to the Chase, promised a sizzling, swinging evening.

Hot Mikado is a revitalised version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic Operetta, The Mikado.
Set in 1940s Japan, the comically unconvincing Japanese characters with an unconvincing array of American accents, remind us regularly that, 'Oh, we are Japanese.'

The Set is a mixture of a Japanese garden furnished with lanterns and a tiny bridge and a Chicago style jazz club. The energetic cast swap instuments and costumes throughout.
The story begins with Nanki-Poo looking for his lover Yum-Yum, who is destined to marry the marvelously funny Chief Executioner, Koko (Shaun Hennessy).  He warmed the audience up almost immediately with fun references to recent events such as MP's expenses, in his clever version of 'I've got a little list'. In spite of the many obstacles thrown in their way, such as laws that carry punishment for flirting, the demands of the Mikado for regular executions and the Chief Executioner's inability to actually execute anyone, Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum finally find a way to be together.

Although the singing was impressive, (Kim Ismay as the fearsome Katisha performed two incredibly powerful solos) most of the songs were difficult to understand, making the storyline a little tricky to follow. The relatively small stage space seemed to hinder the performers' movements during some shaky dance routines but they compensated with their talent for live music, all playing at least one instrument.

Georgina Field as Peep-Bo breezed through her dance routines. Comfortable in her space she
swapped between the saxaphone and clarinet so quickly, I may not have noticed if I wasn't so captivated by her performance. Steve Pretty was brilliantly corrupt in his sleazy All Gentlemen of Japan role and Stuart Organ as the Mikado performed a great drum solo during the Mikado Song. Joined by most of the cast this was probably the most impressive, well coordinated and vigorous part of the show.

Although I didn't quite feel the sizzles, the music certainly swung, the audience clapped along out of time and there were plenty of feet tapping away in the aisles.

All in all a fun show, once the cast began to enjoy themselves.


22 May – 13 June