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1967 - The Mikado

Show Synopsis


The tale is set in the town of Titipu. The noble rulers of the town are headed by Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, and Pooh-Bah, the Lord High Everything Else! Nanki-Poo. the son of the Mikado, comes to Titipu, disguised as a wandering minstrel, in search of Yum-Yum, one of Ko-Ko's wards. He learns that Yum-Yum is returning from school in order to be married to Ko-Ko. After a scene in which the "three little maids" meet Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo are left alone together. They confess their love for each other. Nanki-Poo confesses his real identity and explains that he had to flee from the court to evade the attentions of Katisha.
Ko-Ko receives warning that the Mikado is concerned because there have been no executions in Titipu: he looks around for a victim, and, discovering Nanki-Poo on the verge of suicide, arranges for him to marry Yum-Yum upon condition that a month later Nanki-Poo will be executed and then Ko-Ko will marry Yum-Yum.
A party follows: but it is rudely interrupted by Katisha, who arrives in search of Nanki-Poo and who tries to tell the crowd who he really is—an attempt which is drowned by the cries of the people.

Act II is set in Ko-Ko's garden where Yum-Yum is preparing for her marriage. Her joy is turned to dismay when she learns that if her husband is executed, she must be buried alive!
The Mikado appears: Ko-Ko sends Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum off to be married at once; and gives a colourful account of an imaginary execution. The Mikado is interested: but his main concern is to find his lost son: and suddenly realises that the pretended victim is in fact his son! Katisha mourns the loss of her "lover"; and Ko-Ko is able to persuade Nanki-Poo to appear alive as the Heir Apparent by agreeing to marry Katisha himself. He woos her and weds her; and the denouement is accomplished when the scene is set for the execution of the conspirators, but an appeal on their behalf is accepted by the Mikado. So "the threatened cloud passes away", and all ends well.