The Mikado - In Concert: celebrating 140 years of Gilbert and Sullivan

IOL News

3 days ago

Cape Town G&S, in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, proudly presents The Mikado - In Concert, a jubilant anniversary staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's most iconic comic opera.
Cape Town G&S, in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, is set to light up the Artscape Opera House with a jubilant concert staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's most iconic comic opera, The Mikado. This limited run, part of a special anniversary celebration, will take place from 25 to 27 July 2025, culminating in a matinee performance on Sunday, 27 July. As the opera marks its 140th anniversary, audiences can expect a fresh and exhilarating rendition of this timeless classic.
Premiering at London's Savoy Theatre in March 1885, The Mikado quickly became a cultural phenomenon, its clever satire of bureaucracy and British institutions cleverly cloaked in a fictional Japanese setting. The production enjoyed an unprecedented run of 672 performances, establishing itself as the most performed and beloved of all Gilbert and Sullivan's works. The upcoming concert staging aims to honour this legacy with a bold, musically immersive presentation reminiscent of the grandeur of the BBC Proms.
In a unique approach to the opera, the performance will feature the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra playing live on stage, alongside the cast and chorus, providing an all-encompassing, symphonic concert experience for the audience. Remarkably, the opera's spoken dialogue will not be included; instead, a trio of charismatic hosts will guide viewers through the narrative with witty commentary, engaging historical insights, and fascinating trivia about Gilbert and Sullivan.
Fashion will also play a significant role in this celebratory event. The six leading ladies will adorn the Artscape stage in exquisite original designs by acclaimed South African fashion designer Stephen Van Eeden. Known for his stunning red-carpet gowns and bridal couture, Van Eeden's creations have graced numerous public figures, adding an extra layer of glamour to this illustrious production.
The talented ensemble cast will bring to life memorable characters, including Henco Hunter as the authoritative Mikado, Wilhelm Lichtenberg as the lovesick Nanki-Poo, and Barend van der Westhuizen as the comically distressed Ko-Ko. They will be joined by Stephan le Roux as Pooh-Bah, Daniel von Hoesslin as Pish-Tush, and Regina Malan as the formidable Katisha. The roles of the trio of schoolgirls enhance the show's charm, performed by Sian Atterbury (Yum-Yum), Kerryn Warren (Pitti-Sing), and TeNeale Maeker (Peep-Bo), whose vocal grace will undoubtedly captivate audiences during some of the opera's most beloved numbers.
Guiding the evening's festivities will be hosts Nick Plummer, Melissa Sanderson, and Megan Armstrong-Davies, who promise to inject humour and heart throughout the concert. Under the adept direction of Kyla Thorburn, with Alastair Cockburn serving as Musical Director and Barend van der Westhuizen as Chorus Master, this concert staging of The Mikado is sure to be a richly musically engaging, visually stunning, and thoroughly entertaining homage to a theatrical masterpiece.
From iconic hits such as "A Wand'ring Minstrel I," "Three Little Maids from School Are We," and "I've Got a Little List," to exhilarating choral harmonies and razor-sharp satire, The Mikado - In Concert promises to be a feast for lovers of music, opera, and classic comedy. Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate a storied legacy and experience an unforgettable theatrical event.