The Mikado

NEW SHOWS ON SALE NOW (16 - 24 JANUARY 2009)

Click here to read a review from the Sunday Mail.

Essgee Entertainment and Adelaide Festival Centre present Simon Gallaher's new production of The Mikado

Directed by Craig Schaefer

Essgee's original version of the production was last performed in Adelaide in 1996, with the new version premiering at Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Lyric Theatre in August this year to standing ovations and rave reviews, including "amazing...awesome...really cool" (Scene Magazine) and "Bravo! Lots of Fun!" (ABC Radio).

Heading the all singing, all dancing line-up as Pooh-Bah is Colin Lane, best known as one half of comedy double act and a recent performer in the 2008 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. He is joined by fellow comedian and 2008 Helpmann Award Winner (Best Comedy Performer) David Collins (of Umbilical Brothers fame) who steals the show as Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Musical theatre legend Julie Anthony takes on the role of Katisha.

Original director Craig Schaefer returns along with stars of the original production, Helen Donaldson and David Gould, in their roles of Yum Yum and the Mikado respectively, while newcomer Graeme Isaako made his theatre debut in Queensland in the role of Nanki-Poo. Isaako wowed the judges on the first Australian season of So You Think You Can Dance and recently proved that he has the singing abilities to match.

The storyline is familiar to most: in the Japanese town of Titipu, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado and disguised as a wandering minstrel, is in love with Yum Yum, betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Also causing problems is Katisha, Nanki-Poo's jilted bride, who arrives in Titipu in the company of the Mikado himself. After some complicated explaining, all is finally well and everyone lives happily ever after.

The production contains some of the best-known songs in musical theatre, including "I've Got a Little List", "Three Little Maids From School", "A Wandering Minstrel" and "I Am The Lord High Executioner".

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director, Douglas Gautier, says, "We are thrilled to welcome Simon Gallaher and company to the Festival Theatre stage this January. This hilarious new show has plenty of comic moments, beautiful sets and costumes and all of those familiar songs, and promises to be a night out that everyone can enjoy - from children to teenagers and the most devoted Gilbert and Sullivan fans."

The original Essgee version of The Mikado won critical acclaim and three Green Room Awards (Best Actor; Best Scenic Design and Best Direction).