Haywards Heath Operatic Society

Hot Mikado

April 22^nd - 26^th  2008

Director

John Shepherd

Musical Director

Phil Laybourn

Choreographer

Hannah Pavey

About the show:

If you enjoyed the HHOS version of "Anything Goes" in April 2007, you'll be delighted to hear that the same direction team are working together again a year later.  This will be another opportunity for John Shepherd (director), Phil Laybourn (musical director) and Hannah Pavey (choreographer) to demonstrate their skills in putting together a slick. professional show through a regime of hard work and fun.

Hot Mikado (based on the The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan) is where East meets West head on!  In this hilarious 1940’s style updating of G&S classic (if ridiculous) tale, the young Nanki-Poo (the son of the Mikado masquerading as a second trumpet player) arrives in the town of Titipu looking for the beautiful Yum-Yum.  He learns that she is going to be married to a former tailor turned Lord High Executioner, Ko Ko. Meanwhile the Mikado demands Ko-Ko execute one person within the next month.  Nanki-Poo agrees to be executed as long as he can spend one month as Yum-Yum’s husband.  ( I said this was plot was ridiculous!) However, the plan goes awry when the Mikado makes a surprise visit to Titipu and brings with him Katisha, an older woman who has been after Nanki-Poo for her toy boy!  Ko-Ko is persuaded to marry Katisha, Nanki-Poo is spared execution and remains married to Yum-Yum and, as with all musical comedy, all ends happily!

With the score transmuted into blues, swing, hot gospel, scorching torch songs and “Three Little Maids”  turned into an Andrews Sisters showstopper, this zoot-suited , tap dancing, lindy hopping, jitterbugging all singing, dancing show lives or dies on the verve, energy and enthusiasm of the cast.  Forget the original The Mikado - this production will bear no resemblance!!  The show is virtually sung through and will provide a challenging “sing” for the company who will have plenty to do with lots of movement and the thrill of singing to that 1940’s “Big Band Sound” which will be onstage throughout!

(By arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd)

Registered Charity Number: 800597