Whangarei Theatre Company presents Hot Mikado

Whangarei Theatre Company are pleased to announce that, in conjunction with major sponsor More FM, they are busy spicing up Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” at the Riverbank Centre. The show “HOT MIKADO” is almost identical to the G&S original, but the music is reorchestrated with a wide range of styles, including jazz, blues and rock. The dance routines include the the jitterbug, the Lindy Hop and even tap-dancing.

The story starts with the people of Titipu, interrupted by the arrival of Nanki-Poo who is looking for his beloved Yum-Yum. He is dismayed to find she is due to marry Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, that very day. After the arrival of the three little maids from school, Nanki-Poo tells Ko-Ko of his love for Yum-Yum and is summarily dismissed. He manages to meet with Yum-Yum and tell her is the son of the Mikado – travelling in disguise to avoid the clutches of Katisha.

Ko-Ko hears that the Mikado has decreed that Titipu will be reduced to the rank of a village unless an execution is carried out within a month,and fortuitously discovers that Nanki-Poo, in despair over losing Yum-Yum, is preparing to commit suicide. After ascertaining that nothing would change Nanki-Poo's mind, Ko-Ko makes a bargain with him: Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum for one month if, at the end of that time, he allows himself to be executed. Ko-Ko would then marry the young widow.

While Yum-Yum is being prepared by her friends for her wedding Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah enter to inform them of a twist in the law that states that when a married man is beheaded for flirting (the crime for which Nanki-Poo is to be punished), his wife must be buried alive. Yum-Yum is unwilling to marry under these circumstances, and so Nanki-Poo challenges Ko-Ko to behead him on the spot. It turns out, however, that Ko-Ko has never executed anyone because he is too soft-hearted. Instead he sends Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum away to be wed promising to present to the Mikado a false affidavit in evidence of the fictitious execution.

The Mikado and Katisha arrive in Titipu accompanied by a large procession. Ko-Ko assumes that he has come to see whether an execution has been carried out. Aided by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, he gives a graphic description of the supposed execution. However, the Mikado has come about an entirely different matter—he is searching for his son. When they hear that the Mikado's son "goes by the name of Nanki-Poo", the three panic, and Ko-Ko says that Nanki-Poo "has gone abroad". Meanwhile, Katisha is reading the death certificate and discovers that Nanki-Poo had been executed. The Mikado is incensed. Facing his own painful execution, Ko-Ko pleads with Nanki-Poo to return. Nanki-Poo agrees on condition that Ko-Ko marries Katisha. Ko-Ko begs for her hand in marriage, saying that he has long harboured a passion for her. She eventually agrees and they are married. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum then re-appear,to the Mikado’s astonishment and delight. The show closes with the town of Titipu celebrating.

Mark your diaries for this fun show, opening Friday 14 May and closing Saturday 5 June.

As usual there will be a dinner & show option.  Tickets go on sale on Monday 3 May at Whangarei Suit Hire.