The Mikado (TV 1984)

In a mythical Japan, Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor, has been appointed Lord High Executioner and must find someone to execute before the arrival of the ruling Mikado. He lights upon Nanki-Poo, a ... See full summary »

Director:

Norman Campbell

Writer:

William S. Gilbert (libretto)

Stars:

Gidon Saks, Henry Ingram, Eric Donkin

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Gidon Saks	...	The Mikado of Japan
Henry Ingram	...	Nanki Poo
Eric Donkin	...	Ko Ko
Richard McMillan	...	Pooh Bah
Allen Stewart-Coates	...	Pish Tush
Marie Baron	...	Yum Yum
Karen Wood	...	Pitti Sing
Karen Skidmore	...	Peep Bo
Christina James	...	Katisha
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Keane	...	Chorus
Avo Kittask	...	Chorus
Richard March	...	Chorus

Storyline

In a mythical Japan, Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor, has been appointed Lord High Executioner and must find someone to execute before the arrival of the ruling Mikado. He lights upon Nanki-Poo, a strolling minstrel who loves the beautiful Yum-Yum. But Yum-Yum is also loved by Ko-Ko, and Nanki-Poo, seeing no hope for his love, considers suicide. Ko-Ko offers to solve both their problems by executing Nanki-Poo, and an agreement is reached whereby Ko-Ko will allow Nanki-Poo to marry Yum-Yum for one month, at the end of which Nanki-Poo will be executed, in time for the arrival of the Mikado. But what Ko-Ko doesn't know is that Nanki-Poo is the son of the Mikado and has run away to avoid a betrothal to an old harridan named Katisha. The arrival of the Mikado brings all the threads of the tale together.

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Plot Keywords:

gilbert and sullivan | operetta | comic opera

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Japanese

Also Known As:

The Town of Titipu

Filming Locations:

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBC Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Mikado (1996)

User Reviews

One of the best productions of Gilbert and Sullivan I've seen

I think that over the years, I've seen the Mikado about a dozen times, ranging from D'Oyly Carte with Martyn Green playing Ko-Ko to seeing Groucho Marx's role on television. While my memories of Martyn Green remain fairly fresh, it's his dancing in the "Here's a Howdy Do," that still brings a smile to my face. If you have access to the 1953 film called the Story of Gilbert and Sullivan starring Robert Morley and Maurice Evans or even better if you can see the 1939 Mikado with Kenny Baker as Nanki-Poo, you'll see what I mean. Be that as it may, however, this exuberant performance filmed at Stratford, Ontario will make a Mikado fan of you forever, even if you aren't one already. The role of Pooh Bah is brilliantly played by Richard McMillan and his movements belie his height. The rest of the cast is excellent and the staging is simple and effective. In short, both Gilbert and Sullivan would have been proud of this production