ACT ONE
It is a year since a wandering minstrel calling himself Nanki-Poo was a member of the Titipu Town Band. As second trombones are not often called for his main task had been to take round the cap for contributions. While discharging this delicate office he had met and fallen in love with the beautiful Yum-Yum. Unfortunately she was betrothed to her guardian, a cheap tailor by the name of Ko-Ko. The minstrel left the town in despair.
He has now received news that Ko-Ko has been executed for flirting in public - a capital offence under the Mikado's law. Arriving in town he buys information from a pompous town official called Pooh-Bah. It appears Ko-Ko was reprieved due to his elevation to the exalted rank of Lord High Executioner - the highest position a citizen can attain. Worse news is yet to come. Ko-Ko is to marry Yum-Yum this very afternoon.
Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo arrive from school with their chums in tow. Even the townswomen are delighted when Nanki-Poo is recognised. Finally left alone Nanki-Poo tries to persuade Yum-Yum to reject Ko-Ko He tells her his most guarded secret that he is in disguise. Really he is the son of the Mikado and claimed in marriage by an elderly lady called Katisha. Even this news will not persuade Yum-Yum to break with her duty.
An order from the Mikado arrives. An execution must take place within the next month or the town will lose its rank and the finance that goes with it. Nanki-Poo agrees to be the victim if Ko-Ko will allow him to marry Yum-Yum. "She'll be a widow in a month. You can marry her then." This simple plan is soon complicated by the arrival in the town of Katisha. The townsfolk take an instant dislike to her. An outsider telling them what to do! They support Nanki-Poo (well - he is going to save the town) and the sulking Katisha sets off to fetch the Mikado himself.

ACT TWO
As Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo prepare for their wedding Ko-Ko reminds them of the law that states that when a married man is beheaded his wife is to be buried alive. Not surprisingly Yum-Yum does not want to die - especially in this way. It seems that the youngsters' happiness is once again to be dashed when Pooh-Bah and Pish Tush arrive in a flap. The Mikado himself is about to arrive in the town! A scheme is hatched by which Pooh-Bah, in his many official capacities, will provide a certificate of execution. In his panic Ko-Ko agrees to Yum-Yum's marriage providing Nanki-Poo goes away and never comes back again.
To the Mikado, executions are only slightly less fascinating than young ladies. Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko and Pitti-Sing are forced to make up a suitable gory story about the beheading. But it appears that the Mikado has not come about the lack of executions at all. He is searching for his son who has been spotted in the town. Katisha discovers his name on the death certificate. Although the Mikado is not a bit angry - "How could you tell who the gentleman really was?" - he must apply his own law and orders that arrangements should be made for the conspirators' execution. The only way to safety is for Nanki-Poo to come back to life. Thank goodness he hasn't left yet! But he is married now and cannot marry Katisha. She will insist that he is executed and that Yum-Yum is buried alive. There is only one solution. Someone must marry Katisha. The only question is: who shall it be?
N.B. "Virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances!"

©1997 Nick Lawrence