The Mikado by the Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra had a strange effect on me. I walked out of the Congress Theatre with a smile on my face and headed to the John Fielding pub for a pint and a quiet hour to sort out my notes for this review.
Titipu, the town in Japan where flirting is banned. In my seat two hours earlier I had heard that: “The only crime punishable by beheading is flirting”.
At the pub bar I ordered an Alright Butt without making any eye contact with barmaid and just a business-like ‘thank you’ when she handed over my change. I didn’t want to take any risks after seeing this cracking show that left clearly left an impression on me.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado
This performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular operetta was wonderful. Going go the theatre on your own can feel strange. But this cast and orchestra do something so special. They share the same snug space on the stage and make sure the audience (even the ones on their own like me) are the third part of the triangle to make the night fun for everyone.
They did it by making us laugh. Now I was on my own and it’s always a bit awkward laughing out loud when you’re sat next to strangers. But hey if something makes you chuckle you just go for it.
Nanki-Poo breathlessly told Yum Yum: “We are alone at last.” But the 20-strong orchestra and eight members of the choir all *coughed* and cleared their thoughts with a chorus of *ahem*. The orchestra members were involved with lots of one-liners, body reactions and other added extras to keep the pace of the show going with laughs and all at the same time as impressing us with their musical skills.
One actor grabbed the bow of Paul Walster, the orchestra leader, and snapped it in anger during one scene. The violinist stood up and held up a piece of wood and said “You were supposed to snap this one!”
It was this seamless working together of musicians, choir, conductor and the cast that made is so easy to enjoy. It was a different take on the well-known comic farce.
CJ de Mooi, best known from BBC’s Eggheads, was The Mikado. Rosemary Ashe as Katisha has enjoyed roles in many West End productions including Les Miserables and Oliver. Jordan Lee Davies reached Will.i.am’s top six in series two of The Voice. See him in this clip.
Katy Treharne’s theatre and concert appearances include the Phantom of the Opera.
The talented cast came with many years of experience of TV and theatre. Scroll down to see all of their very impressive biographies. The Cwmbran audience had a treat on their doostep without having to involve a day trip to London.
At the end of the show I did a bit of eavesdropping on those around me in the queue to the exit. Two women were talking and one said to the other: “My cheeks are aching from smiling. What a brilliant concept with the orchestra taking part.” (Sorry if you said this and you realise it was me but I’m sure you won’t mind ?.
