When Simon Gallaher’s new production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, The Mikado, opens at QPAC in August, it will enjoy a truly local flavour.
Produced entirely in Brisbane, and playing for an exclusive three-week Brisbane season, The Mikado boasts 17 local performers in its ensemble.
For many of the energetic young performers it will be their musical theatre debut … and they are having the time of their lives.
Take a peek behind the scenes of The Mikado, in the Brisbane Extra video below.
The Mikado stars comedians Colin Lane (formerly of Lano and Woodley) and David Collins (of The Umbilical Brothers, who was this week named Australia’s best comedy performer at the Helpmann Awards), music theatre legend Julie Anthony (who’s not been seen in a musical theatre performance in Brisbane since the 1970s) and opera stars Helen Donaldson and David Gould.
Set to win hearts while also making his acting and singing debut will be ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ finalist, Graeme Isaako, who plays the lead role of Nanki-Poo - the role performed by Simon Gallaher himself in his original production of The Mikado in 1995.
Set in Japan, or rather drawing on Victorian notions of Japan, the story of The Mikado centres on Nanki-Poo and Yum Yum. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, leaves home and disguises himself as a wandering minstrel to escape a distasteful marriage. Arriving in Titipu, he meets a beautiful girl, Yum-Yum, with whom he falls in love. He desperately wants to marry her, but obstacles are cast in his way by Yum-Yum's guardian, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, who is also in love with Yum-Yum and has every intention of marrying her himself.
Also causing problems is Katisha, Nanki-Poo's jilted bride, who arrives in Titipu in the company of Nanki-Poo's father, The Mikado. After some complicated explaining, all is finally well and everyone lives happily ever after.
An all singing, all dancing, all-star cast, an all local ensemble and a fun and titillating story, The Mikado opens at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on 5 August.
Take a peek behind the scenes of The Mikado, in the Brisbane Extra segment below.
