Just over 125 years since its initial record-breaking run, The Mikado remains Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operetta. For a staggering fifth of that total time, it has also been virtually synonymous with Jonathan Miller’s dazzlingly inventive and stunningly stylish song-and-dance staging, which has proved an unfailing ‘source of innocent merriment’ ever since it first graced the London Coliseum stage in 1986.
Wittily transposing the topsy-turvy Victorian values of Gilbert’s mock-oriental Town of Titipu to a Marx Brothers-inspired take on the denizens of a very English 1930s seaside hotel, Miller’s much-loved production returns, two years after celebrating its silver jubilee. The starry cast of seasoned veterans and fresh-faced newcomers is led by ENO’s resident master of the comic patter song, Richard Suart, who this season celebrates his own 25th anniversary in the role of Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner.
Performances
Dec 1, 5*, 7, 8 & Jan 21*, 25, 26, 30, 31 at 7.30pm | Dec 1, 8 & Jan 26 at 2.30pm
12 performances. Running time: 2hrs 35mins
Signed-performance, Tue Jan 21
Pre-performance talk, Wed Dec 5, 5.15 – 6pm, £5/£2.50 concs
London Coliseum tour on performance day, Sat Dec 8, Jan 26; tours start at 11.30am, £10 per person