The Mikado

The Mikado, the best loved comic opera of all time, relishes the many hilarious situations that arise when he (the Emperor of Japan) comes to inspect the workings of local officialdom in the town of Titipu, incidentally searching for his son who has fled the attentions of an ageing lady of his court. The Mikado declares that he seeks \"to make the punishment fit the crime\" but behind an urbane exterior is perceived a relish for retributions ranging from social embarrassment to death by \"boiling oil or melted lead\". The officials who have failed to comply with the Mikado\'s edicts are faced with particularly gruesome consequences, and their spin-doctoring antics are reminiscent of Yes, Prime Minister, and many politicians. Gilbert\'s Japanese setting provides a delightful guise for revealing the familiar foibles of officialdom everywhere. The show is touring fully staged with cast of 36 singers and 24 players to Sullivan\'s original orchestration.