A conductor's guide to 'The Mikado'

1. The Mikado – from the conductor's point of view

We asked Fergus Macleod to give us a conductor's eye view of conducting Gilbert & Sullivan's masterpiece. So, without further ado – here he is: "I was really fortunate to be able to consult the late great Sir Charles Mackerras’ score during my learning and discovery of the piece. During this process, as part of our education programme, we invited local primary schools to come and watch three rehearsals – pictured bottom right are some of the children, our director and me"

2. The Gentlement of Japan

"Act 1. Set in a colonial hotel (for this production), we meet the ‘Gentleman of Japan’ - sung by our fantastic Gents’ Chorus." Photo: Tristram Kenton

3. Nanki-Poo

"Nanki-Poo (Anthony Gregory - here with his Trombone) arrives in Titipu as a ‘Wandering Minstrel’ in search of Yum-Yum." Photo: Tristram Kenton

4. Yum-Yum

"Yum-Yum (Mary Bevan) is one of three little maids, but betrothed to Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner… who having been released from jail, has just been promoted to the position in order to cut off his own head!" Photo: Tristram Kenton

5. Ko-Ko

"Ko-Ko has a 'Little List’ of people ‘who would not be missed’, tweaked for every performance by the consummate Richard Suart (playing Ko-Ko), which has in the past included Margaret Thatcher, Silvio Berlusconi and even the conductor!" Photo: Tristram Kenton

6. Ladies of the Chorus

"Then comes a train of ‘Little Ladies’ ‘18 and Under’, or as the amazing T-Shirt of one of chorus members says 841 and under! Sung by the incomparable ladies of the chorus." Photo: Tristram Kenton

7. Three Little Maids

"Yum-Yum and her two sisters (Pitti-Sing sung by Rachel Lloyd and Peep-Bo sung by Fiona Canfield) are the ‘Three Little Maids’." Photo: Tristram Kenton

8. To satisfy the Mikado…

"The matter of the need to have an execution to satisfy the Mikado becomes a little more pressing and the search for a substitute gathers pace, however Poo-Bah (Graeme Danby) and Pish-Tush (George Humphreys) find reasons to excuse themselves!" Photo: Tristram Kenton

9. Katisha

"But then in the Finale of Act 1 Katisha (Yvonne Howard) arrives to add problems to the blighted love of Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum as she is here to ‘claim my perjured lover, Nanki-Poo’." Photo: Tristram Kenton

10. "To joy we soar"

"The full cast on-stage joins together singing ‘To joy we soar, Despite your scowl! - and Katisha leaves to go to the Mikado." Photo: Tristram Kenton

11. Nanki-Poo and Yum Yum

"Act 2. It is agreed that Nanki-Poo will marry Yum-Yum for a month and then be beheaded, but then it turns out that ‘when a married man is beheaded his wife is buried alive’. However - ‘an affidavit that you’ve been executed will do just as well’!" Photo: Tristram Kenton

12. The Mikado

"But the Mikado ‘who in a fatherly way governs each tribe and sect’ arrives and it turns out that Nanki-Poo, whom they have just ‘executed’, is the Mikado’s son." Photo: Tristram Kenton

13. Ko-Ko and Katisha

"Ko-Ko must marry Katisha, who decides ‘There is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast’." Photo: Tristram Kenton

14. A happy ending…?

"Something tells me this one ends happily ever after. For once in opera, no one dies. It is one of the great comic operas, presented in a fast-moving and sumptuous production!" Photo: Tristram Kenton