Three little maids, from left, Hannah Brewer, as Pitti-Sing, Becci Wilcox, as Yum-Yum and Kathryn Stewart, as Peep-Bo. Picture by Laura Holme.
STAGE REVIEWPAINSTAKING research, a lively cast, a note-perfect orchestra and some great comic quips combined to make Solent G&S’s The Mikado a real winner.
Performed at Trinity Theatre in Cowes, the show was brought bang up to date with jokes about the Bank of Iceland and frozen assets and bankers on Ko-Ko’s little list — I am sure those musical mischief-makers, Gilbert and Sullivan, would have been highly amused at these subtle additions.
Mike Whitwam was excellent as Ko-Ko, the hapless Lord High Executioner, while I thought Bruce Marks was hysterical as Pooh-Bah, the kow-towing, bribe-taking Lord High Everything Else, with a multi-split persona.
Paul Stevens played wandering minstrel Nanki-Poo with his usual aplomb and appeared as a perfect match for Yum-Yum, ably played by Becci Wilcox, who has a beautiful voice.
Claire Fussell gave a great performance as Katisha, the elderly lady in love with Nanki-Poo — she came across as a frightful old bat and the scenes between her and grovelling Ko-Ko were excellent.
The Mikado was played by Reg Fussell, whose rendition of The Punishment Fits The Crime was particularly good, while David Stradling was superb as the noble lord Pish-Tush.
The three little maids were the epitome of giggly, girly fun — as well as Yum-Yum, there was Kathryn Stewart as Peep-Bo and Hannah Brewer as Pitti-Sing.
The role of Pitti-Sing was shared during the run, with Katherine Edwards stepping into the part for the Saturday matinee, while the cast was completed by Jack Print as the Mikado’s young slave.
There was also a large chorus and this brilliant show was directed by Olwen Kieser, with Simon Keates as the musical director.
reporter: katey@iwcpmail.co.uk