The Mikado (I) (TV 1987)

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:

John Michael Phillips

Writer:

William S. Gilbert (operetta)

Stars:

Eric Idle, Lesley Garrett, Bonaventura Bottone

Cast

Credited cast:
Eric Idle	...	Ko-Ko
Lesley Garrett	...	Yum-Yum
Bonaventura Bottone	...	Nanki-Poo
Richard Van Allan	...	Pooh-Bah
Felicity Palmer	...	Katisha
Richard Angas	...	The Mikado of Japan
Susan Bullock	...	Peep-Bo
Ethna Robinson	...	Pitti-Sing
Mark Richardson	...	Pish-Tush
Findlay Wilson	...	Katisha's Unrequited Lover
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bret Macey	...	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:

operetta | comic opera | gilbert and sullivan

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Genres:

Musical | Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Mikado (1972)

User Reviews

fun to watch

If you want to see a brilliant performance of Mikado, played to perfection with expert timing and panache, don't watch this version. If you want to see a hammy version with Eric Idle strutting around in 1930's english gentlemen's private club society, this is the one to watch. It's a lot of fun and a good intro to Gilbert and Sullivan, but after this, rush out and rent the Canadian Stratford version. You'll see the difference between good and great. Nobody does G&S better than Brian McDonald and the Stratford group.