Taking the Mik was Spot On

TFAHETGOS Production of The Mikado, S.C.R.A.P, Kinson Community Centre

IT isn’t often that a show lives up to its hype, but in this instance the publicity was absolutely spot-on, and “a fantastically funny and extremely silly version of the operetta” was exactly what we got, performed in a totally professional manner with some great singing and acting and a smashing orchestra.

The director, Penny Gerken, musical director Jean Holt and virtually everyone on stage is steeped in G&S, so South Coast Really Awesome Productions couldn’t have made a better choice.

They got it all so right, from the pre-show wittering of chairwoman Mrs Reece (Janet West), mid-show hymn singing and participatory origami session led by the vicar (Bruce Vyner) to the brilliant, hysterically funny on-stage chaos.
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A Scottish Mikado with almost total amnesia, a Pooh Bah (or Pooh Bear, according to Ko-Ko) in a designer suit, a Yum Yum with attitude and a drunken pianist made me cry with laughter. And the chorus was – well, words fail me. Let’s just say I shall never look on zimmer frames and maypoles in the same light again.

And, with regard to the programme “apology”, I must point out that if Linda Dingle-Dangle had indeed been burnt at the stake, you would not be reading this!

Linda Kirkman

Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo

I liked it so much, I proposed to the Director

I must admit to having a vested interest in this production, having played the Producer. However, if you enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan and want to see it completely messed up by an amateur company, then you’ll love this.

Kat Crichton-Seager