photo by Jeff Busby
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The Mikado (2011)Opening Date: May 17, 2011
Closing Date: May 28, 2011 Air date: 2011 Medium: DVD Where to watch: DVD and Blu-Ray via Opera Australia and Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link). |
Stage Production Notes
Written by the prolific and immensely popular team Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado is one of the most performed operettas in the world. The show originally premiered in London in 1885, and has been performed countless times around the world in professional and amateur productions.
The wonderful motion picture Topsy-Turvy, starring Allan Corduner and Jim Broadbent, chronicles the making of The Mikado.
Initially formed in 1956 under the name Australian Opera, Opera Australia has staged The Mikado multiple times. The 1987 production, directed by Christopher Renshaw and starring Peter Cousens, Anne-Maree McDonald, Gregory Yurisich, Heather Begg and Graeme Ewer premiered at the Sydney Opera House. It was filmed and released on VHS and, later, DVD.
The production was revived at the Sydney Opera House under the direction of Stuart Maunder in 2009, starring Anthony Warlow.
The 2011 staging was another revival of Christopher Renshaw’s production. The production received positive reviews, although ticket sales were low. Actor Mitchell Butel was noted across the board for his amusing portrayal of Ko-Ko (check his delightful updated rendition of "I've Got a Little List" below).
Written by the prolific and immensely popular team Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado is one of the most performed operettas in the world. The show originally premiered in London in 1885, and has been performed countless times around the world in professional and amateur productions.
The wonderful motion picture Topsy-Turvy, starring Allan Corduner and Jim Broadbent, chronicles the making of The Mikado.
Initially formed in 1956 under the name Australian Opera, Opera Australia has staged The Mikado multiple times. The 1987 production, directed by Christopher Renshaw and starring Peter Cousens, Anne-Maree McDonald, Gregory Yurisich, Heather Begg and Graeme Ewer premiered at the Sydney Opera House. It was filmed and released on VHS and, later, DVD.
The production was revived at the Sydney Opera House under the direction of Stuart Maunder in 2009, starring Anthony Warlow.
The 2011 staging was another revival of Christopher Renshaw’s production. The production received positive reviews, although ticket sales were low. Actor Mitchell Butel was noted across the board for his amusing portrayal of Ko-Ko (check his delightful updated rendition of "I've Got a Little List" below).
Filmed Production Notes
The Mikado was first filmed live in 1926. The four-minute long footage is silent, and color has been added. It is not currently available to view, however the British Film Institute holds at least one copy. More information on this recording can be found at the Gilbert & Sullivan Discography.
Other filmed live versions of The Mikado include The Bell Telephone Hour’s 1966 production, Opera Australia’s 1987 production, and Esgee Entertainment’s 1996 production.
The 2011 Opera Australia production of The Mikado was filmed live with high definition cameras over two nights, on 24-25 May at The Arts Center in Melbourne. The film had a week long limited release in Australian cinemas in August 2011, and was released on DVD and Blu-Ray a few months later. The film was also screened on ABC television in 2012.
The DVD and Blu-Ray are available via Opera Australia and Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
The Mikado was first filmed live in 1926. The four-minute long footage is silent, and color has been added. It is not currently available to view, however the British Film Institute holds at least one copy. More information on this recording can be found at the Gilbert & Sullivan Discography.
Other filmed live versions of The Mikado include The Bell Telephone Hour’s 1966 production, Opera Australia’s 1987 production, and Esgee Entertainment’s 1996 production.
The 2011 Opera Australia production of The Mikado was filmed live with high definition cameras over two nights, on 24-25 May at The Arts Center in Melbourne. The film had a week long limited release in Australian cinemas in August 2011, and was released on DVD and Blu-Ray a few months later. The film was also screened on ABC television in 2012.
The DVD and Blu-Ray are available via Opera Australia and Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
The Mikado (2011) PRODUCTION DETAILS
Theatre: State Theatre, The Arts Centre, Melbourne
Producer: Opera Australia
Book and Music: W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Director: Stuart Maunder, film: Cameron Kirkpatrick
Choreography: Carole Todd
Scenic Design: Tim Goodchild
Costume Design: Tim Goodchild
Lighting Design: Derek Coutts
Sound Design: John O’Donnell
Conductor: Brian Castles-Onion
Cast: Richard Alexander (The Mikado), Kanen Breen (Nanki-Poo), Mitchell Butel (Ko-Ko), Warwick Fyfe (Poo-Bah), Samuel Dundas (Pish-Tush), Tom Hamilton (A Nobleman), Taryn Fiebig (Yum-Yum), Dominica Matthews (Pitti-Sing), Annabelle Chaffey (Peep-Bo), Jacqueline Dark (Katisha), Orchestra Victoria, The Opera Australia Chorus
Theatre: State Theatre, The Arts Centre, Melbourne
Producer: Opera Australia
Book and Music: W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Director: Stuart Maunder, film: Cameron Kirkpatrick
Choreography: Carole Todd
Scenic Design: Tim Goodchild
Costume Design: Tim Goodchild
Lighting Design: Derek Coutts
Sound Design: John O’Donnell
Conductor: Brian Castles-Onion
Cast: Richard Alexander (The Mikado), Kanen Breen (Nanki-Poo), Mitchell Butel (Ko-Ko), Warwick Fyfe (Poo-Bah), Samuel Dundas (Pish-Tush), Tom Hamilton (A Nobleman), Taryn Fiebig (Yum-Yum), Dominica Matthews (Pitti-Sing), Annabelle Chaffey (Peep-Bo), Jacqueline Dark (Katisha), Orchestra Victoria, The Opera Australia Chorus
Sources
- Michael Greenhalgh, “Review,” Music Web International (May 12, 2012)
- Sarah Noble, “It’s all good fun,” The Opera Critic (Aug 27, 2009)
- Sybil Nolan, “Review: The Mikado, Opera Australia” Herald Sun (May 19, 2011)
- Anne-Marie Peard, “The Mikado,” AussieTheatre.com (June 2, 2011)
- Danu Poyner, “The Mikado: Opera Australia,” Australian Stage (May 20, 2011)
- Raymond J Walker, “Review,” Music Web International (June 12, 2012)
- ABC News, “Anthony Warlow returns in Mikado,” ABC News (Aug 23, 2009)
- Opera Australia, “The Mikado,” Accessed via: https://opera.org.au/shop/detail?item=70447
- Opera Australia, “Opera Australia Films,” Accessed via: https://opera.org.au/discover/features/opera_australia_films
- Opera Australia, “THE MIKADO ROLLS OUT IN CINEMAS ACROSS AUSTRALIA,” Accessed via: https://opera.org.au/discover/features/Mikado_cinema_release, (August 2011)
- Opera Australia, “Opera Australia: coming to a cinema near you” Press Release (Oct 13, 2011)
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017)