Tickets are now on sale for Waveney Light Opera Group’s latest show ‘Hot Mikado’ – a colourful, lively version of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan tale which takes the original musical and jazzes it up to 1940s swing-style. The singing and dancing numbers are fantastic, performed with incredible energy by a young and enthusiastic cast.

Set in Japan, young Nanki-Poo, the Mikado’s son masquerading as a Trumpet player, arrives in the town of Titipu looking for the girl he loves, the beautiful Yum-Yum. After bribing various officials, he learns that she is still going to be marrying a former tailor turned Lord High executioner, Koko. Meanwhile, the Mikado demands that Koko execute one person within the next month. Nanki-Poo agrees to be executed as long as he can spend a month as Yum-Yum’s husband. However, the plan goes awry when the Mikado makes a surprise visit to Titipu and brings with him Katisha, an older woman who is pursuing Nanki Pooh. Will Nanki-Poo escape the clutches of Katisha and avoid the executioner? Will there be a happy ending? Well, it is a musical so you can probably guess– but you’ll have to come along to find out.

Performances are at Beccles Public Hall from Tuesday October 17th to Saturday October 21st 2017.

Tickets are available in person from the Box Office (Mon-Sat 10am-3pm) by phone 01502 770060 or online www.becclespublichall.co.uk

Review by Sarah Cook

 

It’s Hot, Hot, Hot down at Beccles Public Hall this week!

I’ve just returned from the opening night of ‘Hot Mikado’ – presented by Waveney Light Opera Group and I have to say – what a great night out! I’m not a big fan of Gilbert and Sullivan but this jazzed-up, swing version of the musical had me laughing, cheering and tapping my feet virtually all evening. The classy set; complete with arching bridge and gold drapes, designed in a club-style with the band centre stage, was the perfect backdrop for the feast of dancing and singing that was to come.

The show opens with a talented, colourfully dressed chorus introducing the Japanese setting.  I was particularly impressed by their harmonious singing and energetic choreography and the continued presence of this lively ensemble was integral to the success of this pacey show. The story could potentially be tricky to follow as there is very little script, most of the plot is ‘sung through,’ but the clear diction from the principal characters and well balanced sound helped to ensure the audience was not confused.

Often with amateur performances there are weak links, but in this show every principal does their job well. The beautiful close-harmony work of the ‘three little maids’ played by Emily Holt, Ruth Alder and Jo Forster, and the swagger of leading man Nanki-Poo, played with panache by Terry Boast were very impressive as was the convincing and versatile performances of Poo-Bah and Pish-Tush played by Gary and Helen Watson and Bob Sharman as the imposing Mikado. Not only was the singing and dancing spot on but this show had some very funny moments; particularly when Koko (‘camped up’ by a hilarious Chris Steed) was driven through the auditorium on a mobility scooter. Also the performance of Harriet Chambers as the spurned Katisha was enormously entertaining – not only for her brave negotiation of the bridge in very steep leopard-print heels but the power of her soulful voice was at times breath-taking!

This gem of a production is well worth a visit. It finishes Saturday night and there are still tickets available so support your local theatre group and treat yourself to a fun night out!

 

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