Gilbert and Sullivan’s iconic musical parody returns to the London scene in a reimagined production featuring an all-male cast. Guillermo Nazara shares his thoughts on this show dealing with love, honour and a bit of decapitation, to let us know if this is a montage worth losing your head over.
As someday, it may happen That a victim must be found I’ve got a little list I’ve got a little list Of S. Regan’s adaptation And of what her views propound In case they should be missed Let’s see if they’d be missed There’s a bunch of boys in shorts And small shirts trying to have fun And some long-bearded asshole Just intending they get none A tall and handsome sweetheart Whose loved one he cannot wed He’s such a drama queen that He’s prepared to lose his head The plot, though, has a twist The plot, though, has a twist Getting down to the production Let’s explore what there’s in store For this has been delivered A bit different than before There’s girls and ugly crones That come around within this tale But here they all are played By a troupe that’s essentially male So good that they exist! So good that they exist! Kitty Shaw, that lovely bastard - His performance is so rich For he’s just damn hilarious When he impersonates a bitch And also Dave McKechnie As the Executione-er. For making his portrayal So beloved and rather queer They never should be missed They never should be missed
It is true, though, that this piece Was penned an awfully while ago And that affects the pacing At the opening of the show Some trimming would be helpful And that’s all they’ve got to do To make the first installment As appealing as Act Two That surely will assist! That surely will assist! The whole staging is quite charming And I did enjoy the lights! They do provide a nice range of Retold, suggestive sights The whole troupe plays their parts With ample harmony and delight They just need be more camp sometimes To get the whole thing right And that’s my full checklist! And that’s my full checklist! If you like Gilbert and Sullivan Or just want to have a laugh The Wilton’s Music Hall Sure will bring out more than enough And that’s all for today, folks, Hope this read meant a good time If not, go f*ck yourselves, Cuz it’s so hard to write in rhyme!
All pictures credit to Marc Senior.
The Mikado plays at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall until 1 July. Tickets are available on the following link.