REVIEW: Hot Mikado

REVIEW: Hot Mikado
Image: Photo: Alan Roy

The original Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, The Mikado from 1885, is a subtle satire on British politics but set in Japan to disguise its true intent. This 1986 jazzed up version is the creation of American duo David H. Bell (book and lyrics) and Rob Bowman (arrangement); the satire is much less subtle and there’s no hiding any intent.

Chatswood Musical Society’s current production of Hot Mikado is bright, bawdy, bold and brassy with a slight hint of Japanese decorum. Plot, characters, place and basic elements of the songs have remained fairly close to the original, but the costumes, period, dialogue and reworked orchestrations reflect a 1940s Chicago sensibility.

The band is super hot – a small ensemble made up of piano, drums, guitar and brass that create a sound three times their size. They accommodate a troupe of dancers – including some youngsters – who perform some sizzling choreography.

All the lead characters are strong and confident. Blake Lovely croons like a matinee idol as Nanki-Poo. Karen Oliver defies gender boundaries as Pooh-Bah, playing him with vaudevillian aplomb. Tish Keleman is matriarchal yet elegant as The Mikado, while Rachael Gillfeather’s Katisha is like a composite of villainous Disney dames. Chewing up the scenery each time he appears is David Verdejo as Ko-Ko. He is camp and nerdy while still managing to be malevolent, using vocal and physical humour to clinch two show stopping numbers.

Director, Declan Moore has done a superb job with this production.

It’s a great show at a great venue.

Until Oct 1.The Independent Theatre, 269 Miller St, North Sydney. $30-$45. Tickets & Info: www.chatswoodmusicalsociety.org

Reviewed by Rita Bratovich.

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