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    A conductor’s guide to ‘The Mikado’

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    We asked conductor Fergus Macleod to pick out some of his favourite characters and moments from Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’. And if you fancy experiencing it for yourself, ‘The Mikado’ comes to the London Coliseum this Autumn!

    1. The Mikado ENO

      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 Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera.

      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 at English National Opera.

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera

      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. The Mikado at English National Opera

      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

    15. The Mikado at English National Opera

      15. Ko-Ko and the chorus at English National Opera

      Richard Suart and ENO chorus Photo: Tristram Kenton

    16. The Mikado at English National Opera

      16. Richard Suart as Ko-Ko

      The Mikado at English National Opera. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    17. The Mikado at English National Opera

      17. The Mikado at English National Opera

      Jonathan Miller's iconic production returns to ENO. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    18. The Mikado at English National Opera

      18. The Mikado at English National Opera

      Yvonne Howard and Mary Bevan in The Mikado. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    19. The Mikado at English National Opera

      19. The Mikado at English National Opera

      Robert Lloyd as the larger-than-life title character. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    20. The Mikado at English National Opera

      20. Pitti-Sing and Pish-Tush

      Rachael Lloyd and George Humphreys. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    21. The Mikado at English National Opera

      21. The famous three little maids

      Fiona Camfield, Mary Bevan and Rachael Lloyd at ENO. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    22. The Mikado at English National Opera

      22. Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo

      Mary Bevan and Anthony Gregory. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    23. The Mikado at English National Opera

      23. Nanki-Poo and Pooh-Bah

      Anthony Gregory and Graeme Danby in The Mikado at English National Opera. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    24. The Mikado at English National Opera

      24. Pish-Tush and Nanki-Poo

      George Humphreys and Anthony Gregory at ENO. Photo: Tristram Kenton

    25. The Mikado at English National Opera

      25. Ko-Ko and Yum-Yum

      Richard Suart, Mary Bevan, Fiona Camfield and Rachael Lloyd. Photo: Tristram Kenton

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