Mikado Plot The Mikado The Plot Our story begins in the town of Titipu in Japan where, having introduced themselves, Japanese nobles meet a wandering minstrel named Nanki-Poo. He tells them of his love for Yum-Yum whom he first saw as he was playing in the Titipu town band. Yum-Yum was engaged to Ko-Ko, a cut price tailor, but he has been sentenced to death for flirting, so Nanki-Poo returns to find his beloved Yum-Yum and marry her. The death sentence for flirting is the idea of the bloodthirsty ruler of Japan, the Mikado. The gentlemen of Titipu decide to get round this law by creating Ko-Ko Lord High Executioner on the grounds that he is then unlikely to execute himself. All the senior Titipu civil servants resign in protest at these shenanigans only to find that the ambitious Pooh-Bah snaps up all their jobs, salaries and perks to become Lord High Everything Else. Ko-Ko is set to marry Yum-Yum who arrives with her girl friends, Pitti Sing, Peep-bo and Yo-Ko - three little maids from school.

When Yum-Yum sees the handsome Nanki-Poo, she is overjoyed since she does not love Ko-Ko, but duty makes her reluctantly realise that her wedding with the recently ennobled cheap tailor must take place. Then a crisis hits the town. The Mikado is coming to visit Titipu to check that his savage law has been carried out. Since Nanki-Poo has decided to kill himself because he cannot marry Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko convinces him to become the necessary victim the Mikado wants to have executed. Nanki-Poo agrees on the condition: that he weds Yum-Yum and they enjoy a month's married bliss before he gets the chop - after which, Ko-Ko can marry her. This seems to fit the bill, and everyone rejoices until another crisis descends in the frightening person of Katisha, an aristocratic older lady who was engaged to Nanki-Poo before he fled the court unable to face marrying her. She tries to reveal Nanki-Poo's identity as the son of the Mikado and heir to the Japanese throne, but the local people refuse to listen to her, and she storms off vowing revenge.

On Yum-Yum's wedding day, Ko-Ko brings news that due to another cruel law, the wife of a beheaded man must be buried alive, a fate Yum-Yum does not relish on account of its stuffiness. Pooh-Bah and Ko-Ko decide that the only solution is to do a snow job on the Mikado. They will let Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo get married, pack them off abroad on a honeymoon, then draw up false documents and lie to the Mikado about the execution. Accompanied by Katisha, the Mikado arrives and is informed by Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Pitti-Sing of the alleged execution of Nanki-Poo. The deceit boomerangs however, since yet another crazy Japanese law insists that no matter how ignorant of their actions, everyone remotely associated with the death of the heir apparent must be boiled alive. Since the bloodthirsty and husband-hungry Katisha is keen to see the plotters killed, the only solution seems to be for someone to marry Katisha as quickly as possible, then get her to beg the Mikado for mercy. Ko-Ko draws the short straw and marries the dragon lady.

When Nanki-Poo and his wife appear, there is a lot of complicated explaining to be done. Fortunately, by a justification even crazier than the fictitious laws of the stage Japan, Ko-Ko manages to placate the Mikado, and with laughing song and merry dance, everyone lives happily ever after. England has produced centuries of great writers and creative artists, but only very few have spoken a universal language, been taken to the hearts of the English speaking world and become popular institutions - icons of English speaking civilisation. It's all a matter of producing recognisable characters, lovable or otherwise, who speak and sing the language of the people. Chaucer did it. Shakespeare did it. Dickens did it. Shaw, perhaps, did it. And Gilbert and Sullivan did it with a derry down derry and a willow, tit willow, tit willow. Even those high- brows who hate G & S - and what other writers of comic opera in the world are recognised by the mere initials of their surnames? - are infuriated by the enduring success of these two friendly enemies who set the British Empire and its descendants humming and chuckling.

How many people reading this remember with affection the first time they saw a Gilbert and Sullivan opera ? How many recall the fun and magic of being in a school production or having a family member or friend in one ? Probably as many as can quote or sing as much or more G & S than they can recite Chaucer or Shakespeare or Dickens or Shaw or the lot of them put together. And for this joyful and jolly gift of our English speaking heritage, we have to thank not two, but three collaborators: William Schwenck Gilbert (1836 - 1911), Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842 - 1900), and Richard D'Oyly Carte (1844 - 1901). It was theatrical manager and impresario D'Oyly Carte who recognised that the former two totally opposed personalities were perfect matching talents. This same entrepreneurial - or as we'd say today, 'showbiz' - genius managed to keep the quarreling partnership writing hit after mega-hit (twelve in all - more than any musical writers since) for fourteen years.

And even after their final smash, The Gondoliers, they wrote two flops with more toe-tapping tunes in them than any of the successes of their day ... none of which has survived! Known collectively as 'the Savoy operas' after the Savoy Theatre in London where most of them played, Gilbert and Sullivan's works instantly captured the imagination of the British - hence the Empire's - theatregoing public. They sang the songs. They laughed at the words. They recognised the characters. They relished the affectionate mockery of the fads and foibles of the day. In no time at all, Gilbert and Sullivan became more box-office than even Offenbach. Within one generation, G & S became classics of family entertainment.

Following Thespis (the music of which is lost and waiting to be found in some attic) in 1871, Gilbert and Sullivan wrote Trial By Jury (1875), The Sorcerer (1877), HMS Pinafore (1878), The Pirates of Penzance (1880), Patience (1881), Iolanthe (1882), Princess Ida (1884), The Mikado (1885), Ruddigore (1887), The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), The Gondoliers (1889), Utopia Limited (1893), and The Grand Duke (1896). It is probably only of Shakespeare and Gilbert and Sullivan it can be said that somewhere in the English speaking world, one their works is being performed every night. And our object all sublime is to delight you with Savoy musical comedy at its maddest and merriest as we sing and dance the topsy turvy carryings-on of a wandering minstrel, a Lord High Executioner, a Lord High Everything Else, three little maids from school.

a yumyummish heroine, a timidly bloodthirsty tyrant, a dragon lady whose bark is worse than her bite, and some of the wackiest and most athletic gentlemen of Japan the stage has ever seen - all a source of innocent merriment thanks to Gilbert and Sullivan. The Mikado Synopsis: The Mikado — Utah Shakespeare Festival Synopsis: The Mikado Synopsis: The Mikado Nanki-Poo, the son of the royal mikado, arrives in Titipu disguised as a peasant and looking for Yum-Yum. Without telling the truth about who he is, Nanki-Poo explains that several months earlier he had fallen in love with Yum-Yum; however she was already betrothed to Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor, and he saw that his suit was hopeless. However, he has since learned that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting; and he has come to find Yum-Yum, his true love. Nanki-Poo’s high hopes are dashed once more when Pish-Tush, a noble lord, informs him that Ko-Ko was reprieved and raised to the rank of lord high executioner.

Pooh-Bah, first lord of the treasury, lord chief justice, commander-in-chief, etc., enters next, and he also holds out no hope for Nanki-Poo. Then Ko-Ko himself enters, ready to execute “plenty of people whose loss will be a distinct gain to society at large.” Next enters Yum-Yum, who reluctantly allows Ko-Ko to kiss her, even though she doesn’t love him; however, she catches sight of Nanki-Poo and rushes over to him. Nanki-Poo, expecting an angry reaction from Ko-Ko, blurts out that he loves Yum-Yum. “Anger!” responds Ko-Ko. “Not a bit, my boy. Why, I love her myself.” The crowd departs, and Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo are left alone. He confides to her that he is really the son of the mikado, but, ordered by his father to marry Katisha, an elderly lady of the court, he has fled. However, they realize the hopelessness of their situation--and, sadly, they part.

Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah, and Pish-Tush enter, bearing a letter from the mikado which complains that no executions have taken place in Titipu for a year and, unless somebody is beheaded within the month, Titipu will be reduced to a mere village. Nanki-Poo decides that his only option is to commit suicide, but Ko-Ko persuades Nanki Poo to let him behead him instead. To clinch the deal, Ko-Ko even agrees to let Nanki-Poo marry Yum-Yum, providing he agrees to be executed in one month. As wedding preparations progress, Ko-Ko arrives with bad news: he has learned that the law dictates that when a man is beheaded, his wife must be buried alive. Yum-Yum, while not wishing to appear selfish, points out that this revelation does change things. In despair, Nanki-Poo pulls out a dagger and threatens to kill himself if Ko-Ko doesn’t agree to behead him now. However, Ko-Ko can’t; he can’t kill anything, not even a fly.

Then, just before the mikado arrives, they come up with a solution: Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum will be married and will go into hiding, while everyone pretends that the execution has taken place. When the mikado and Katisha arrive, he is pleased that an execution has taken place, but admits that his real purpose in visiting is to find his son. Katisha spots the name on the execution certificate--Nanki-Poo!--and the mikado, while agreeing that a mistake has certainly been made, says that killing the royal heir involves a horrible death. Nanki-Poo surreptitiously suggests that Ko-Ko marry Katisha; that way Nanki-Poo can come back to life, no one will be killed, and Katisha will be off his back. Ko-Ko, while unenthusiastic, agrees. All are happy, except the mikado, who says that now no one has been executed.

Ko-Ko comes up with the explanation: “When your majesty says, ‘let a thing be done,’ it’s as good as done--practically is done--because your majesty’s word is law.” The mikado is satisfied, and everyone happily sings the finale. × The Mikado - HOT HOT Synopsis A year before the action of this opera begins, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, fled his father’s imperial court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady. Disguised as a traveling musician, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor in the town of Titipu. Yum-Yum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, and Nanki-Poo left Titipu in despair. ACT I The show opens in the town of Titipu where the chorus of nobles are joined by Nanki-Poo, disguised as a second trombone, who is looking for Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko.

A noble lord named Pish-Tush asks what Nanki-Poo’s business is with Yum-Yum, and learns that the minstrel had seen the girl a year ago when he was a member of the town band, and they had fallen in love. But Yum-Yum was betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, ‘a cheap tailor.’ However on learning that Ko-Ko was condemned to death for flirting, the minstrel has hurried back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately on his return he finds that far from being dead, Ko-Ko has in fact been let out on bail, and appointed Lord High Executioner. There is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married that very day. Yum-Yum and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, appear with their schoolfellows. When Yum-Yum finally catches sight of Nanki-Poo he reveals that he is the son of the Mikado, and when they are alone, she admits she does not love her guardian.

The two lovers realize that their cause is hopeless, and Yum-Yum leaves Nanki-Poo who then tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a letter from the Mikado, who threatens to abolish the post of Lord High Executioner and reduce Titipu to the rank of a village unless a beheading takes place within a month. On seeing Nanki-Poo about to ‘terminate an unendurable existence,’ Ko-Ko points out that suicide is a capital offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the condition that he can marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life before he is beheaded. After the execution Ko-Ko will then be able to marry the widowed Yum-Yum. Amidst the celebrations, in storms Katisha, having tracked down the object of her affections, Nanki-Poo, and threatens to reveal his true identity. She is outshouted by a chorus of Japanese syllables: ” O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!” (one of the many possible translations of which is “So surprised, we hiccup! Bah!”) .

But the town dwellers are not to be deterred and ‘joy reigns everywhere around.’ ACT II Act Two opens with Yum-Yum being prepared for her wedding. But soon the awful fact is out that under the Mikado’s law the widow of a beheaded man must be buried alive. This places Nanki-Poo in a dilemma: if he holds Yum-Yum to this marriage, she dies a hideous death, and if he releases her she must marry Ko-Ko at once. The marriage is off, and Nanki-Poo determines to do away with himself that afternoon unless Ko-Ko will kill him at once. But it turns out that Ko-Ko can’t kill anything. To make matters worse, the Mikado and his suite are approaching the town and will arrive in ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit of Nanki-Poo’s execution. The Mikado arrives with Katisha who makes much of being his daughter-in-law elect.

When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution, the Mikado reads it and says, ‘My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!’ Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to his father, thereby absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo, now married to Yum-Yum, is afraid of Katisha’s wrath. Unless Ko-Ko will agree to marry the old hag himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave on their honeymoon at once. Katisha, meanwhile, is mourning the death of Nanki-Poo, and when Ko-Ko tries to woo her, she is at first reluctant, but he wins the formidable lady with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, lovelorn song. Katisha adds her powerful pleas to the Mikado for everyone to be pardoned. The Mikado, a bit bewildered by it all nonetheless pronounces that ‘Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory!’ Forbidden love... Deception... Comedy? Only at the Opera!

Set in Japan, this satire on English mores of the time weaves the two cultures seamlessly together with humorous lyrics and elaborate plot twists. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, flees his home to avoid an arranged marriage to an older woman only to find himself falling in love with the beautiful Yum-Yum, who is also betrothed… to her guardian, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner!!! Will Nanki-Poo find love or face the wrath of the Mikado for defying his order? Find out in Gilbert and Sullivan’s romp through the mythical and nonsensical fantasy world of The Mikado. Performance Schedule Stay tuned for updates on lecture schedules Meet the Stars Jamie Offenbach Jamie J.Offenbach presented an unusual visual picture as a rail-thin Mikado, but his rich, resonant voice belied the appearance of his frame. Commentators have often pointed out the sadistic nature of many of Gilbert’s jokes, and Offenbach brought out this aspect of the character with relish.” Honolulu Star Advertiser Joshua Kohl was a brazen Nanki-Poo, with an excellent lyric tenor voice.

The KC Independent Sarah Asmar Sarah Asmar was a delight as Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), with a clear chime-like soprano that danced up and down the scales in “Poor Wandering One.” Her performance sparkled with wit. Idaho Statesman Curt Olds In the role of Ko-Ko Curt Olds’ clear diction and comic timing made the dialogue lively and humorous, while he sacrificed nothing in the integrity of his singing. Honolulu Star Advertiser Support HOT As a supporter, when you contribute to HOT your investment in the community far exceeds the operations of the company and our Grand Opera season activities. Newsletter Sign-Up Sign up for HOT E-news and get all the latest news as it happens! Contact Us The Mikado - Anchorage Opera The Mikado The Mikado Photo Gallery The Mikado An all-star cast including the Anchorage Opera debut of Metropolitan Opera star, Jane Shaulis, internationally acclaimed singers, returning fan favorites and talented local Anchorage and Fairbanks artists, made The Mikado must-see theater!

Photos by Kathleen Behnke Performance Dates Friday, April 15 @ 8:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, April 16 @ 8:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Sunday, April 17 @ 4:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Sung in English with projected English titles About The Mikado The Mikado is laugh out loud fun for the entire family as Victorian England meets an imaginary imperial Japan in this most popular of all the Operettas by the masters of the genre, Gilbert & Sullivan. Sparkling satire, famous melodies, and captivating silliness abound in this topsy-turvy tale of love and misadventures. Leave your worries behind and journey to a make-believe land of lotus blossoms, levity, and laughter with The Mikado! An all-star cast including the Anchorage Opera debut of Metropolitan Opera star, Jane Shaulis, internationally acclaimed singers, returning fan favorites and talented local Anchorage and Fairbanks artists, make The Mikado must-see theater! HISTORY of The Mikado The prolific partnership of librettist William S.

Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan was at its zenith in 1885 when The Mikado premiered at London’s Savoy Theatre. Legend has it that it a decorative Japanese sword hanging in Gilbert’s study fell to the floor one day inspiring him to pen a comic opera parodying the vogue in Britain at the time for ‘japonaiserie‘, Western art reflecting Japanese traditions. Prominent painters including Claude Monet, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec were all employing Japanese motifs and subjects in their art, and in Knightsbridge, London a magnificent exhibition The Japanese Village opened to much popular acclaim. Publicity of the time for the exhibition boasted “Skilled Japanese artisans and workers (male and female) will illustrate the manners, customs, and art-industries of their country, attired in their national and picturesque costumes. Magnificently decorated and illuminated Buddhist temple. Five o’clock tea in the Japanese tea-house. Japanese Musical and other Entertainments. Every-day Life as in Japan”. Among the many visitors to the exhibition was in fact W.S. Gilbert who was keen to learn, from the over 100 Japanese men and women employed there, proper aspects of their culture.

His resulting libretto incorporates evocative imagery of an imaginary Japanese town crafted lovingly, as if by a calligrapher’s hand, while simultaneously taking stinging satirical aim squarely at his own contemporary England. For rather than a representation or reflection of actual Japanese society, the setting in a fictitious land serves to not so thinly veil the true subject of its satire, namely Victorian political and social hypocrisy…and (as in every Gilbert & Sullivan operetta) all with a large dose of frivolity and FUN! Cast Richard Gordon – Chorus Master/Rehearsal Accompanist/Coach Pitti-Sing – Glacéia Adele Henderson The Mikado of Japan – Craig Irvin Free Pre-Opera Talks Plan to join us one hour before each performance of The Mikado to learn the interesting background, tidbits of information and fascinating insights into this laugh out loud Gilbert & Sullivan favorite. We are proud to present our colleague in the arts, Michael Jungreis, as your Pre-Opera Talk Host for The Mikado. Michael is well-known to Anchorage audiences as the host of KLEF ’s “Saturday Night at the Opera”.

Friday, April 15 at 7:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre Free Student Final Dress Rehearsal Anchorage Opera would like to open the final dress rehearsal to K-12 students at no cost for our production of The Mikado, by Gilbert & Sullivan on April 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm performed in English with projected Supertitles in English. This production will be held at The Discovery Theater, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and seating is limited. We will do our best to accommodate any K-12 student that would like to come, however some parties may receive fewer tickets than requested based on availability. Please complete the student dress request survey at the link provided below to request your vouchers. As this is a coveted event for many schools in the Anchorage area, please do not request more tickets than you will use.

If you are promised a certain number of tickets and find you will not be able to use them all, please contact us as soon as possible so that people on the wait list can be notified and make arrangements to attend. To reserve tickets CLICK HERE We hope to see a full house of K-12 Students there! BRAVO Synopsis One year before the action begins, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, fled his father’s imperial court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady. Disguised as a traveling musician, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor in the town of Titipu. Yum-Yum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, and Nanki-Poo left Titipu in despair. ACT I — In the Courtyard of Ko-Ko’s Official Residence in Titipu. The act opens to find an assemblage of Japanese nobles. Nanki-Poo—still masquerading as a musician—returns to Titipu eagerly seeking Yum-Yum, as he has heard that Ko-Ko was condemned to death for flirting.

He learns, to his dismay, from Pish-Tush that although Ko-Ko was indeed to have been beheaded, he was reprieved at the last moment and made Lord High Executioner instead. As the criminals must be executed in order, and Ko-Ko was next in line, no one else can be executed until Ko-Ko cuts off his own head. Pooh-Bah, reveals to Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum is on her way home from school and will be wed to Ko-Ko this very afternoon. The nobles herald the appearance of Ko-Ko who is full of ideas for his first official victim. He discusses with Pooh-Bah the plans for his forthcoming marriage. A procession of school girls arrives followed by Yum-Yum and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo. Yum-Yum greets her betrothed decidedly less enthusiastically than she does Nanki-Poo. Taking Yum-Yum aside, Nanki-Poo declares his love and shares with her the secret of his identity. Because of the excessive laws against flirting, Yum-Yum urges him to stay away from her.

Ko-Ko, meanwhile, has received a letter from the Mikado, who is concerned that there have been no recent executions in Titipu and threatens severe repercussions if one does not take place within a month. Although, as Pooh-Bah points out, Ko-Ko is next in line for that honor, Ko-Ko understandably would prefer to find a substitute. He comes across Nanki-Poo, who is preparing to terminate his existence rather than face life without Yum-Yum, and the two men strike a bargain: Ko-Ko agrees to let Nanki-Poo marry Yum-Yum now, and, in return, Nanki-Poo agrees to let Ko-Ko behead him at the end of the month and marry his widow. Ko-Ko introduces his volunteer to the townsmen, and Nanki-Poo embraces Yum-Yum. All rejoice over this resolution, but the festivities are rudely interrupted by the appearance of Katisha. Furious at Nanki-Poo’s rejection, she attempts to reveal his true identity but she is silenced by the crowd. The humiliated Katisha vows revenge.

ACT II — Ko-Ko’s Garden, Later the Same Day As the act begins, Yum-Yum’s sisters and friends are helping her make ready for her wedding. Yum-Yum and her sisters are sad at the thought of the very brief marriage, and Nanki-Poo enters and tries to lift their spirits. The wedding plans are disrupted upon Ko- Ko’s discovery that, under the Mikado’s law, when a married man is beheaded, his wife must be buried alive. Yum-Yum’s enthusiasm for the marriage is suddenly diminished. To spare Yum-Yum this grim fate, Nanki-Poo decides to kill himself at once. This, however, would leave Ko-Ko with nobody to behead—just as word arrives that the Mikado is at this very minute approaching Titipu. Nanki-Poo offers himself for immediate decapitation, but Ko-Ko realizes that he can accomplish the same purpose by swearing a false affidavit that he has done the deed, provided that Nanki-Poo leaves at once and never comes back.

Since Nanki-Poo will not leave otherwise, Ko-Ko sends Yum-Yum with him, and the happy couple goes off to be married just as the Mikado enters the town. The Mikado is delighted to hear that an execution has taken place, and is eager to hear the details. Ko-Ko, assisted by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, recounts a highly creative description of the execution. The Mikado’s visit, however, concerns another matter: at Katisha’s prompting, he is seeking the whereabouts of his son. Unfortunately, this turns out to be Nanki-Poo, the man Ko-Ko has just testified he beheaded. Ko-Ko and his accomplices are declared guilty of “compassing the death of the Heir Apparent” and scheduled to die. Their only hope is to admit the falsehood of the affidavit and of their testimony, and produce Nanki-Poo alive and well. Nanki-Poo, however, having already married Yum-Yum, is no longer free to marry Katisha and thus cannot reveal himself without risking both his own life and his wife’s.

Ko-Ko is left with no other choice but to woo, win, and wed Katisha herself. Katisha is very upset over the loss of Nanki-Poo and at first refuses Ko-Ko, but when he sings her a touching ballad she accepts him. Nanki-Poo returns to life and presents himself—and his new bride—to his father. Ko-Ko devises an explanation of his subterfuge that satisfies the Mikado, who commutes his death sentence to one of life with Katisha. All ends with laughing song and merry dance. The Mikado (1939 c 90’) En: 6 Ed: 6 ( 1939 c 90') En: 6 Ed: 6 Adapted from the opera by William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, in imperial Japan the prince refuses a marriage and falls in love with another young woman; but a tailor has become executioner and needs to behead someone.

A chorus sings “If You Wonder Who We Are.” The Prince Nanki-Poo (Kenny Baker) tells his father the Mikado (John Barclay) that he does not want to marry Katisha (Constance Willis) as intended; but the Mikado says he must marry her within a week or die. Nanki-Poo sees and approaches a pretty young woman, but she walks off with her family to their home. Nanki-Poo follows them and sees her guardian in an inn; but he cannot get in. He looks up at a window and plays his lute, singing “The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze.” In the morning Nanki-Poo reads an order for the execution of a tailor Ko-Ko for flirting. Nanki-Poo on the street sings “A Wand’ring Minstrel I.” Soldiers arrive marching and singing. Nanki-Poo sings with people. Nanki-Poo asks Pish-Tush (Gregory Stroud) where he can find Yum-Yum.

Pish-Tush tells him that the condemned Ko-Ko was pardoned and appointed Lord High Executioner, and he sings “Our Great Mikado.” Poo-Bah (Sydney Granville) accepts a bribe from Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko (Martyn Green) arrives and sings “Behold the Lord High Executioner.” Poo-Bah says he is lord chamberlain and chancellor of the exchequer. Three Maids sing “Three Little Maids from School.” Ko-Ko gets permission to kiss Yum-Yum (Jean Colin). Nanki-Poo tells her guardian that he loves her. The guardian has Nanki-Poo taken away. In a garden Yum-Yum finds Nanki-Poo, and he tells her he is the son of the Mikado. He explains he could be put to death soon. They sing “Were You Not to Ko-Ko Plighted,” and he kisses her. Poo-Bah gets a message from the Mikado that someone must be beheaded within one month or the Lord Executioner will be removed. Ko-Ko says he must execute someone, and Poo-Bah suggests he execute himself. Pish-Tush suggests he find a substitute.

Ko-Ko asks Poo-Bah to substitute, but he declines, singing “I Am So Proud” with Ko-Ko and Pish-Tush. Ko-Ko runs and hides, and the others leave. Ko-Ko goes outside and sees Nanki-Poo with a rope to kill himself. Ko-Ko realizes he can be the substitute and asks him to be beheaded. Ko-Ko promises him a grand ceremony. Ko-Ko says Yum-Yum will be distracted. Nanki-Poo suggests he marry Yum-Yum and then he can be beheaded in a month. He says Ko-Ko can marry her then. Ko-Ko agrees. A gong is sounded, and Ko-Ko tells Poo-Bah and others that he found a volunteer in Nanki-Poo. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum sing “The Threatened Cloud Has Passed Away” with others. Katisha is carried in and sings “Your Revels Cease!” Pitti-Sing (Elizabeth Paynter) sings “For He’s Going to Marry Yum-Yum.” Katisha objects and warns them.

Nanki-Poo puts his arm around Yum-Yum, and they walk off together. Katisha is carried away on a litter. Inside Yum-Yum is being dressed and sings “Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day.” She is reminded that Nanki-Poo will be beheaded in a month; but he consoles her as bells ring. Ko-Ko makes requests of them. They kiss, and he cries. Ko-Ko says he never can be hers because the Mikado said the wife of the executed man must be buried alive. She asks Nanki-Poo to change their plans. She sings “Here’s a How-de-do” with Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko, who falls down the stairs. Poo-Bah comes in and tells Ko-Ko that the Mikado is coming. Ko-Ko says Nanki-Poo must be executed. Nanki-Poo hands him his sword, but Ko-Ko says he cannot do it. Ko-Ko plans to make an affidavit instead, and Poo-Bah says he will endorse it. Ko-Ko tells Nanki-Poo to take Yum-Yum and marry her.

He sends them off quickly so that the Mikado will not find them. A procession arrives, and the Mikado (John Barclay) sings “From Every Kind of Man Obedience I Expect” with Katisha. The Mikado strolls around and sings “A More Humane Mikado.” Ko-Ko tells him an execution has taken place, and Poo-Bah confirms this. The Mikado asks Ko-Ko to describe the scene. Ko-Ko sings “The Criminal Cried as He Dropped Him Down” with Piti-Sing and Poo-Bah. The Mikado says his son left the imperial court and that he is in this town disguised and called Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko says he went abroad. Katisha sees his name on the document and cries. They bow down, and the Mikado tells Ko-Ko he beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan. The Mikado tries to remember the punishment for killing the heir. They make excuses. The Mikado says they will be executed tomorrow after lunch. Ko-Ko and Poo-Bah argue. Ko-Ko says they must bring Nanki-Poo to life again.

Ko-Ko finds him and tells him he has been reprieved because he is the son of the Mikado. Yum-Yum says he is married already. Nanki-Poo asks Ko-Ko to persuade Katisha to marry him. Ko-Ko does not want to marry her, but Nanki-Poo sings “The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring” with the others. Ko-Ko finds Katisha in a garden and begs her to marry him. They hear a whistle, and Ko-Ko sings “Willow, Tit-willow.” Katisha calls to him, and they embrace. The Mikado summons the gentleman and his accomplices, and they bow to him. Katisha begs mercy for them and says she just married Ko-Ko. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum come in to show that he is alive. Ko-Ko tries to explain and says the Mikado’s word is law. The Mikado says it is satisfactory and smiles. This farcical operetta has pleasant music while satirizing some formalities of Japanese culture while the natural currents of romance take their course.

Copyright © 2011 by Sanderson Beck Characters: The Mikado — Utah Shakespeare Festival Characters: The Mikado Characters: The Mikado The mikado of Japan: The emperor of Japan and the father of Nanki-Poo, the mikado is the law. In fact, “When [his] majesty says, ‘Let a thing be done,’ it’s as good as done—practically it is done—because [his] majesty’s will is law.” Nanki-Poo: The son of the mikado, Nanki-Poo has fled the royal court because his father has promised him in marriage to Katisha. Nanki-Poo, however, loves Yum-Yum and has gone in search for her, disguised as a wandering minstrel. Ko-Ko: The lord high executioner of Titipu (the highest rank a citizen can obtain), Ko-Ko was a cheap tailor who had been sentenced to death for flirting, until he was raised to his high position through “remarkable circumstances.” He is also engaged to marry Yum-Yum, even though she doesn’t love him.

Pooh-Bah: The lord high everything else, Pooh-Bah is “first lord of the treasury, lord chief justice, commander-in chief, lord high admiral, master of the buckhounds, groom of the back stairs, archbishop of Titipu, and lord mayor, both acting and elect, all rolled into one.” Pish-Tush: A noble lord of Titipu. Yum-Yum: A ward of Ko-Ko and sister of Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, Yum-Yum is in love with Nanki-Poo, even though she is betrothed to Ko-Ko, whom she doesn’t love. Pitti-Sing: A ward of Ko-Ko and sister of Yum-Yum and Peep-Bo. Peep-Bo: A ward of Ko-Ko and sister of Yum-Yum and Pitti-Sing. Katisha: An elderly lady of the mikado’s court, Kathisha is in love with Nanki-Poo and has been promised to him by the mikado. However, Nanki-Poo does not return her love.

× The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan THE MIKADO Or, The Town of Titipu Plot summary from the book "The Victor Book of the Opera," RCA Manufacturing Co., Camden, NJ, 1936. COMIC opera in two acts; text by W. S. Gilbert; music by Sir Arthur Sullivan. First produced at the Savoy Theatre, London, March 14, 1885. First performance in the United States, July 6, 1885, at the Museum, Chicago. Not without reason is this one of the most popular of the long line of "Savoy Operas," for Gilbert's text is a masterpiece of comic writing to which Sullivan's ever tuneful music is perfect]y adapted, serving in a remarkable manner to set off the amusing character of the words. The Japanese setting supplies a refreshingly colorful background, although, of course the characters are by no means Japanese, but ourselves in a very thin disguise. ACT I After the captivating overture composed of some of the choicest melodies from the opera, the curtain rises on the courtyard of Ko-Ko's palace at Titipu.

Japanese nobles who are gathered there sing a lively chorus revealing their identity: If you want to know who we are, We are gentlemen of Japan . . . Nanki-Poo enters excitedly, carrying a native guitar and a bundle of ballads. He asks to be directed to the maiden Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko. In turn the nobles ask his own identity. He replies with the song, "A Wandering Minstrel I." He offers them his wares, that is, his songs -- sentimental, patriotic or nautical. Pish-Tush asks his business with Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo replies that a year ago he saw Yum-Yum and immediately fell in love with her, but at that time she was betrothed to her guardian, Ko-Ko. Now, having heard that Ko-Ko is condemned to death for flirting, he has come to see Yum-Yum.

Pish-Tush replies that Ko-Ko has been pardoned and made Lord High Executioner; this happened under the remarkable circumstances he relates in the song, "Our Great Mikado." Thereupon, the Lord High Everything Else, Pooh-Bah, enters and, singing the song, "Young Man, Despair," tells him to give up hope, for Yum-Yum is to marry Ko-Ko this very day. Nanki-Poo's lament is cut short by the arrival of Ko-Ko himself, entering in state with his attendants who sing the rousing chorus "Behold the Lord High Executioner!" Thanking them for their reception, he sings the amusing song, "I've got a little list of society offenders who might well be underground" -- possibilities for his own professional employment!

Soon there enters a procession of Yum-Yum's school-mates singing their girlish chorus "Comes a train of little ladies from scholastic trammels free." Immediately after appears Yum-Yum herself with her two sisters, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing, "Three little maids from school." The girls happen to offend the haughty Pooh-Bah, so are obliged to beg his pardon, singing "So please you, sir, we much regret if we have failed in etiquette." Then all depart, save Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum. The young man at once declares his love and reveals to Yum-Yum that he is none other than the son of the Mikado. He has assumed this disguise in order to avoid marrying an elderly lady of the court, Katisha, who has claimed him. The couple sing their duet, "Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted," saying that if Yum-Yum were not engaged to Ko-Ko they would loudly kiss one another, and audibly demonstrate how it would be done. Then each goes away sorrowfully.

Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush enter with a letter for Ko-Ko from the Mikado who, struck by the fact that no one has been beheaded in Titipu for a year, threatens to abolish the office of Lord High Executioner unless somebody is executed within a month. In the trio they sing, "I am so proud," each of the men declines the honor of decapitation, Ko-Ko because of his duty to Titipu, Pooh- Bah because he must mortify his family pride, and Pish-Tush really doesn't greatly care. Curiously enough, at this moment Nanki-Poo enters, carrying a rope with which he intends to hang himself for sorrow at the loss of Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko suggests that Nanki-Poo allow himself to be executed instead. After some argument Nanki-Poo consents, on condition that he be permitted to marry Yum-Yum at once -- the execution to be a month later. Ko-Ko reluctantly agrees.

The nobles and ladies enter to learn the decision, Ko-Ko announces that Yum-Yum is to marry Nanki-Poo, and all rejoice, singing merrily "The threatened cloud has passed away." Suddenly the dreaded Katisha appears, declaring melodramatically, "Your revels cease." She balefully claims Nanki-Poo her own, but Pitti-Sing laughing replies that they are not concerned with her connubial views -- For he's going to marry Yum-Yum Your anger pray bury, For all will be merry, I think you had better succumb. The tottering and wicked Katisha then turns to Nanki-Poo, declaring: "Oh, faithless one . . . I'll tear the mask from your disguising!" But as soon as she begins her denunciation, "He is the son of your . . ." Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum interrupt, singing Japanese words loudly and drowning out her voice.

Thus repeatedly foiled, Katisha furiously vows vengeance, while all the others sing merrily, "For joy reigns everywhere around!" ACT II Yum-Yum is attended by her maidens who, while preparing her for the wedding, sing the graceful chorus, "Braid the raven hair," and Pitti-Sing interpolates a short solo, "Sit with downcast eye.... Try if you can cry." Yum-Yum, gazing in the mirror, is thrilled by her own loveliness and expresses her appreciation of it in the song: The sun whose rays Plot Summary of The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan You are here: Archive Home > The Mikado > Plot Summary The Mikado The Town of Titipu by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan The show opens in the town of Titipu where the chorus of nobles are joined by Nanki-Poo, disguised as a second trombone, who is looking for Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko.

A noble lord named Pish-Tush asks what Nanki-Poo's business is with Yum-Yum, and learns that the minstrel had seen the girl a year ago when he was a member of the town band, and they had fallen in love. But Yum-Yum was betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, 'a cheap tailor.' However on learning that Ko-Ko was condemned to death for flirting, the minstrel has hurried back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately on his return he finds that far from being dead, Ko-Ko has in fact been let out on bail, and appointed Lord High Executioner. There is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married that very day. Yum-Yum and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, appear with their schoolfellows. When Yum-Yum finally catches sight of Nanki-Poo he reveals that he is the son of the Mikado, and when they are alone, she admits she does not love her guardian.

The two lovers realise that their cause is hopeless, and Yum-Yum leaves Nanki-Poo who then tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a letter from the Mikado, who threatens to abolish the post of Lord High Executioner and reduce Titipu to the rank of a village unless a beheading takes place within a month. On seeing Nanki-Poo about to 'terminate an unendurable existence,' Ko-Ko points out that suicide is a capital offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the condition that he can Marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life before he is beheaded. After the execution Ko-Ko will then be able to marry the widowed Yum-Yum. Amidst the celebrations in storms Katisha, having tracked down the object of her affections, Nanki-Poo, and threatens to reveal his true identity. She is outshouted by a chorus of Japanese syllables: " O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!" (one of the many possible translations of which is "So surprised, we hiccup! Bah!") .

But the town dwellers are not to be deterred and 'joy reigns everywhere around.' Act two opens with Yum-Yum being prepared for her wedding. But soon the awful fact is out that under the Mikado's law the widow of a beheaded man must be buried alive. This places Nanki-Poo in a dilemma, if he holds Yum-Yum to this marriage, she dies a hideous death, and if he releases her she must marry Ko-Ko at once. The marriage is off, and Nanki-Poo determines to do away with himself that afternoon unless Ko-Ko will kill him at once. But it turns out that Ko-Ko can't kill anything. To make matters worse, the Mikado and his suite are approaching the town and will arrive in ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit of Nanki-Poo's execution. The Mikado arrives with Katisha who makes much of being his daughter-in-law elect. When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution.

The Mikado reads it and says, 'My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!' Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to his father, thereby absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo, now married to Yum-Yum, is afraid of Katisha's wrath. Unless Ko-Ko will agree to marry the old hag himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave on their honeymoon at once. Katisha, meanwhile, is mourning the death of Nanki-Poo, and when Ko-Ko tries to woo her, she is at first reluctant, but he wins the formidable lady with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, lovelorn song. Katisha adds her powerful pleas to the Mikado for everyone to be pardoned. The Mikado, a bit bewildered by it all nonetheless pronounces that 'Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory!' Plot summary by by Andrew Lister, University of Warwick G&S Society Download this plot summary as a text file.

Question: In The Mikado who does Nanki-Poo love and eventually marry?
Answer: Yum Yum