The Mikado in Concert: This gorgeous production, presented by the Cape Town G&S opened on Friday July 25 in the Artscape Opera House, Cape Town. I attended on Saturday July 26. The theatre was packed and gave an appreciative ovation. The last performance was the matinee on Sunday July 27.
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied the singers. Direction was by Kyla Thorburn with Alastair Cockburn as Musical Director and Barend van der Westhuizen as Chorus Master. Van der Westhuizen also performed as a deliciously complex Ko-Ko. The Philly was perched on stage in full view of the audience which heightened the concert experience of the comedic opera.
In this concert version, most of the dialogue was cut. Narration between songs, was provided by hosts as they tried to untangle the tangled plot. The hosts were Nick Plummer, Melissa Sanderson, and Megan Armstrong-Davies.
It is a hectic story and the performers sent up the narrative with glee and charm. They were hilarious as they uttered the inane and silly names – Titipu – the faux Japanese town where it all takes place and the character names – such as Pish-Tush and Yum-Yum. Beneath the hilarity and comedy, is a wry and satirical commentary on British institutions of marriage and other conventions which no-one can really fathom. In the Mikado, it is basically a starter marriage that is on the table – be married for a month – husband gets executed – and get buried alive. All ends well.
This production was oozing in parody, with intriguing insights into the Mikado and into Gilbert and Sullivan – the Victorian partnership of dramatist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan. They were precursors to the musical theatre collabs of contemporary times. The Mikado in Concert was very much a tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan and their legacy to popular opera and musical theatre. It was a fitting 140th anniversary concert, serenading the 1st performance of the Mikado, which was staged at the Savoy Theatre, London, on March 14, 1885. The Mikado ran for 672 performances is said to be the most performed of the G&S operas – and most adored.
And here we were in Cape Town, 2025, with the beautifully staged tribute concert- minimal and pared down – with limited props and a few judicious references to Japan – eg kimonos and fans.
Gorgeous evening gowns, designed by Stephen Van Eeeden who is famous for his red carpet gowns and bridal couture. OhMy – the dress worn by Katisha (performed by Regina R Malan) was a showstopper. Gorgeous jewellery by Lulu Belle. If the G&S would have had a pop-up shop, I would have been there, browsing.
This production of the Mikado was fun and hugely enjoyable – stylish and tasteful. I would say that it was Mikado Light – The Mikado – without having to sit through the convoluted plot. I had a sense of being on a treasure hunt, as nuggets were revealed about the plot, characters and the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership.
The whole cast was terrific, with Regina Malan and Barend van der Westhuizen totally owning the stage as Katisha and Ko-Ko. Astounding performances – vocally and theatrically. The rest of the cast featured Henco Hunter (Mikado), Wilhelm Lichtenberg (Nanki-Poo), Stephan le Roux (Pooh-Bah), Daniel von Hoesslin (Pish-Tush) and the school girls Sian Atterbury (Yum-Yum), Kerryn Warren (Pitti-Sing) and TeNeale Maeker (Peep-Bo). The chorus was fabulous. The Philharmonic on stage was like another character.
Seamless changes of props. I loved the levitating paper lanterns which heightened the fantasy of the production, with pops and shimmers of lighting. Bravo Cape Town G&S for this stunning production.
✳ Featured image, Regina Malan as Katisha and Henco Hunter (The Mikado) in The Mikado in Concert, presented by the Cape Town G&S, July 25-27, 2025 at Artscape. Note the Katisha’s kicker of a gown by Stephen van Eeden and jewellery by Lulu Belle. Pic: Lara Basson. Supplied.
