Back to the Home Page Lyme Regis Operatic Society NODA - visit the NODA web site

Back to the Lyme Regis Operatic Society home page Go to the past productions main page where each years show details can be found, pictures, synopses, etc. Visit the Lyme Regis Operatic Society history page Contact information for the society, phone, email, post An archive of press releases for Lyme Regis Operatic Society Links to useful sites - links used with permission

1952 - Mikado

Synopsis

ACT I. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado and heir to the throne of Japan, has been persecuted by the persistent overtures of Katisha, an elderly lady of his father's Court, who claims him in marriage. To escape this dilemma Nanki-Poo secretly leaves the Palace in the disguise of a wandering minstrel. One day he meets Yum-Yum (who is still at school with her sisters Pitti-Sing and Peep-bo) and they fall in love at first sight, but unfortunately Yum-Yum is betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor. Nanki-Poo leaves the town, but later, hearing that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting, he returns to Titipu in the hope of marrying Yum-Yum. However, Ko-Ko is reprieved by the Mikado and raised to the exalted office of Lord High Executioner of Titipu, and is about to marry Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo is advised by Pooh-Bah to relinquish his infatuation. Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) is a very exalted personage, who, when all the High Officers of State resigned in a body at once accepted their positions and the salaries attached to them.
Yum-Yum and her sisters arrive home from school and Nanki-Poo discloses his true identity to her. Ko-Ko, learning that the two are in love, orders Nanki-Poo's removal and prepares for his own marriage with Yum-Yum.
The receipt of a letter from the Mikado threatening to abolish the rank of Lord High Executioner unless someone is beheaded within a month places Ko-Ko in a quandary. After consultation with Poo-Bah and Pish-Tush it is decided Ko-Ko himself is the proper person to be executed, but as he cannot cut off his own head he must find a substitute. Nanki-Poo, in despair because he cannot marry Yum-Yum, and about to hang himself, provides a solution and offers to let Ko-Ko behead him in a month's time if, meanwhile, he is allowed to marry Yum-Yum.
Ko-Ko agrees, and the young couple are being publicly betrothed when the unexpected arrival of Katisha upsets the festivities. She claims Nanki-Poo as her affianced husband and tries to betray his identity as the son of the Mikado, but her voice is drowned by the interruptions of Yum-Yum and her friends. This hostile reception by the crowd angers Katisha and vowing vengeance on Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo she departs in seach of the Mikado.

ACT II. Yum-Yum is being prepared for her wedding when a tactless reminder that her husband is to be executed in a month turns her laughter to tears. Nanki-Poo, however, succeeds in comforting her until Ko-Ko arrives with the information that by the laws of Japan, when a married man is beheaded, his wife is buried alive. Yum-Yum tries to withdraw from the contract and Nanki-Poo is again threatening to commit suicide when the news that the Mikado is approaching the City brings matters to a crisis. Ko-Ko admits he hasn't the courage to behead Nanki-Poo but makes an affidavit stating that the execution has taken place.
The Mikado arrives with Katisha and Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Pitti-Sing give an elaborate account of the supposed execution. The Mikado, however, has come on a totally different errand, and is really looking for his son. Unfortunately for the schemers Katisha finds the name of Nanki-Poo on the Certificate of Death and promptly declares that it is the son of the Mikado who has been beheaded, for which offence the unhappy trio are promptly condemned by the Mikado to be tortured.
In the meantime Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum return happily married and are about to depart on their honeymoon when they hear what has taken place. Nanki-Poo dare not again appear before Katisha even to prove to the Mikado that he is still alive and suggests that the only possible solution is for Ko-Ko to marry Katisha himself. Ko-Ko is now forced to woo the unattractive Katisha which he does with much lying flattery, and they are married forthwith. She then pleads for mercy for the condemned trio, but is enraged when she finds that Nanki-Poo is still alive after all.
The young couple, however, are welcomed by the Mikado and festivities are again resumed in Titipu.