These productions by Jon English are fantastic entertainments. Thank you very much for this upload. G&S, like Shakespeare, is now so well established that any approach to it is valid, from respectful to burlesque, providing it is well done. It is surprising how often this production is more effective delivering the comedy of the text than many a conventional production. The Mikado and Katisha here give wonderful performances that are closer to the opera tradition, which helps balance the wild liberties taken in other places. Trying to rewrite Gilbert´s patter song lyrics is always a fool´s errand --- but what else can you do in a production like this? Unfortunately the new lyrics serve largely to remind you of the brilliance of the originals (which are often hopelessly dated, of course). But now, thirty years on, the new words feel more dated than the originals, and have some unfortunate cringe-worthy moments (So did the originals, which had to be purged of racial slurs many decades earlier). But what a marvellous show it is! Thanks again!!
Have only seen snippets of these shows that this guy has been in. They're not the G&S I know, simply vehicles for this guy to show off and prat around in, to mould to his 'abilities' and his off-script nonsense.
Captain Corcoran, Sir Joseph, Ralph Rackstraw, and Boatswain are very talented performers. I especially enjoy the scenes with Dick Deadeye, the sailors, and Capt Corcoran. This musical opera will be studied and written about forever. Jason Barry-Smith, Drew Forsythe, Jon English, and the ensemble nailed it.
I will always love the fact that "A British Tar" is done at first in the traditional manner, but then, to pull the rug from under the audience in the most fun way, they go rock n' roll!
really grateful this was ripped... honest to god i was going to purchase the download from their online store, but it's $16 dollars US! they deserve it certainly but i can't afford that lol
The best version of the Mikado I've ever seen snd I grew up with D'Oyle Carte. I came home from work one morning and the telly was on Sky Arts. This was on, I just stood, stared and then roared with laughter. I bought the DVD and today, I found it on UA-cam, thank you. I don't get all the New Zealand references of course (being English) but that doesn't matter.
Man... I love Jon English's performances of G&S but wow are there some moments in this one that haven't aged well (i.e. made me cringe). To my great surprise the two other performances of The Mikado that I've seen, both made prior to this one, have aged far more gracefully, I feel.
Thank you for posting this! We grew up with Simon’s G&S. Saw it on stage when I was 11 and was hooked. Always wanted our kids to know the joy so happy when we found this as we had lost our copy.
The part at 1:18:36 isn't even from Pinafore, it's "The World is but a Broken Toy" from G&S's later operetta, Princess Ida. But since it's the most beautiful melody Sullivan ever wrote, I sure don't mind it being here. And 1:22:45 is taken from another later operetta too, Iolanthe.
EssGee also made references to Iolanthe in their rendition of The Mikado. In order, The Yeomen, Trial By Jury, The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, and The Gondoliers again, the last transitioning back to the 'wandering minstrel, I' coda.
1:15:57 I was so grateful that they didn't make any slapstick or modernistic changes to "The Sun Whose Rays..." aria. IMHO simply the most beautiful and heartfelt three minutes of music that Gilbert and Sullivan ever wrote. I do wish that they had treated the "My Object All Sublime..." scene with the same respectfulness. Not even David Gould's magnificent bass voice could save that performance from ruin. And Jon English... what can I say? Magnificent. As always. RIP, we'll miss you.
The whole point of Essgee's G&S is to be satires of light operas that were themselves satirical. Any concern with "treating things with respectfulness" is very misplaced and misunderstands G&S's own intentions. For example, "The Sun Whose Rays" is specifically mocking vanity; Sullivan's magnificant scoring doesn't change this fundamental satirical nature.
If anyone has watched their version of Pirates of penzance, the bridal Vail Helen Donaldson wears in the finale looks exactly like the one she wears in the act 1 finale of pinafore. Please tell me what you think
The best thing that ever happend to Gilbert & Sullivan was Ess Gee's interpretation of Little Buttercup, a type of character which was likely not allowed in Victorian England. The second best thing was to add this cadre of expert male dancers.
Brilliant - but a pity that the video makes everyone look short and stumpy and almost portly - much wider from head-to-toe. Does anyone know of any video app or tool to "elongate" everthing and everyone back to their original tall, slim athletic shape? Even the then very tall, fit and slim Jon English looks stumpy and squashed ! Compare with these other vids of the performance uploaded long ago by "Tiggr": ua-cam.com/video/ZabozziNI6w/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/ivY2HK777Zg/v-deo.html Paul G
So happy to have found the Simon & Jon English version of this musical as well as pirates & H.M.S! Grew up on these 3 musicals and probably watched pirates a good 30 times until the video tape eventually became too battered to exist any longer. I was extremely lucky and got to see pirates live in Melbourne, it was Jon English’s last ever portrayal of the pirate king in…I want to say 2009(?). These 3 musicals really helped shaped my interests & the direction my creative endeavours took for life. Comedy can convey even the darkest of messages in a way that keeps everyone engaged and not feeling preached to.
38:18 For those who missed it, Sir Joseph is saying 'um instead of hum, as is typical of his lowly origins, before correcting himself. This was in the original libretto, but not every performance uses that line.
I like seeing these little touches. They help the production age like a fine wine. I grew up with the EssGee G&S trilogy, and it is one I keep coming back to with more nostalgia, particularly since Jon English died in 2016.
Great works of literature and music transcend time. If they are truly great- which G&S works are- they can adapt to modern sensibilities and still be fabulous!
@@tvaddict6623 I'm sure if someone explained to him that it was the only way to pack the Sydney Opera House for one of his shows today was to modernise it with a pop culture star he would understand. But when told he wouldn't get any money for it, even if he somehow came back to life to have the conversation, he would be furious. But then he'd get offers for millions of dollars upfront to write from every opera company in the world, so he would probably feel better about his enduring fame. The scientific community would probably offer him even more money to study why or how he came back to life tho.
38:36 “excepting MINE.” cross-eyed how does he do that!!!!
The best version of any Gilbert and Sullivan I’ve ever seen. Perfect adaptation to modern audiences. Well done to literally everyone involved.
These productions by Jon English are fantastic entertainments. Thank you very much for this upload. G&S, like Shakespeare, is now so well established that any approach to it is valid, from respectful to burlesque, providing it is well done. It is surprising how often this production is more effective delivering the comedy of the text than many a conventional production. The Mikado and Katisha here give wonderful performances that are closer to the opera tradition, which helps balance the wild liberties taken in other places. Trying to rewrite Gilbert´s patter song lyrics is always a fool´s errand --- but what else can you do in a production like this? Unfortunately the new lyrics serve largely to remind you of the brilliance of the originals (which are often hopelessly dated, of course). But now, thirty years on, the new words feel more dated than the originals, and have some unfortunate cringe-worthy moments (So did the originals, which had to be purged of racial slurs many decades earlier). But what a marvellous show it is! Thanks again!!
Simon is amazing! and so hot!
Hope Jon English didn’t hurt himself at 12.44!
Clark Anna Johnson Shirley Gonzalez Deborah
Was dick deadeye part garnish?
Have only seen snippets of these shows that this guy has been in. They're not the G&S I know, simply vehicles for this guy to show off and prat around in, to mould to his 'abilities' and his off-script nonsense.
If you only saw snippets you are hardly able to judge the whole production.
I personally find it just a vehicle for this guy to piss around. Hate it.
Me too.
Captain Corcoran, Sir Joseph, Ralph Rackstraw, and Boatswain are very talented performers. I especially enjoy the scenes with Dick Deadeye, the sailors, and Capt Corcoran. This musical opera will be studied and written about forever. Jason Barry-Smith, Drew Forsythe, Jon English, and the ensemble nailed it.
BRAVO!
sideshow bob brought me here
I will always love the fact that "A British Tar" is done at first in the traditional manner, but then, to pull the rug from under the audience in the most fun way, they go rock n' roll!
Just to be clear, this is not Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado, but Simon Gallaher's popularist perversion of it.
Agreed.
@@richardbayly3993Oh, please… I am sure G&S would have loved it.
really grateful this was ripped... honest to god i was going to purchase the download from their online store, but it's $16 dollars US! they deserve it certainly but i can't afford that lol
Extraordinaria producción!!
I bought a dvd - it was actually just a rip from a VHS....
Лучшая англоязычная версия Микадо!!! А лучшая русская - театра музкомедии Екатеринбург!!!
改编不是乱编,戏说不是胡说
truly a masterpiece...
The best version of the Mikado I've ever seen snd I grew up with D'Oyle Carte. I came home from work one morning and the telly was on Sky Arts. This was on, I just stood, stared and then roared with laughter. I bought the DVD and today, I found it on UA-cam, thank you. I don't get all the New Zealand references of course (being English) but that doesn't matter.
I agree, this production very much gives it that modern musical theatre twist.
Man... I love Jon English's performances of G&S but wow are there some moments in this one that haven't aged well (i.e. made me cringe). To my great surprise the two other performances of The Mikado that I've seen, both made prior to this one, have aged far more gracefully, I feel.
Haven't seen those ones, but I guess they didn't break the 4th wall
T R A V E S T R Y
Thanks for putting this up
Thank you for posting this! We grew up with Simon’s G&S. Saw it on stage when I was 11 and was hooked. Always wanted our kids to know the joy so happy when we found this as we had lost our copy.
This whole production is just brilliant, along with all the other g&s productions done by this company. Such fun for everyone!!
Did they ever return that purse?! Gotta love these operas!!! The casts are amazing!!
If you like Jon in this you should see Pirates of Penzance from 1994
And the Mikado
i love this so much it so great
34:48 Three little Maids from School Staring the Fabulous Singlettes. 💜💛💟
Absolutely ghastly, probably the worst adaptation ever and there have been some pretty bad ones..
One of the most entertaining one i have ever viewed so you obviously don’t like comedy
Some people just don't like anything that might be entertaining.
It's just great
This was the first adaptation of this operetta that I've seen. It remains my favorite!
😊
The part at 1:18:36 isn't even from Pinafore, it's "The World is but a Broken Toy" from G&S's later operetta, Princess Ida. But since it's the most beautiful melody Sullivan ever wrote, I sure don't mind it being here. And 1:22:45 is taken from another later operetta too, Iolanthe.
correct and was mentioned in the programs
EssGee also made references to Iolanthe in their rendition of The Mikado. In order, The Yeomen, Trial By Jury, The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, and The Gondoliers again, the last transitioning back to the 'wandering minstrel, I' coda.
1:15:57 I was so grateful that they didn't make any slapstick or modernistic changes to "The Sun Whose Rays..." aria. IMHO simply the most beautiful and heartfelt three minutes of music that Gilbert and Sullivan ever wrote. I do wish that they had treated the "My Object All Sublime..." scene with the same respectfulness. Not even David Gould's magnificent bass voice could save that performance from ruin. And Jon English... what can I say? Magnificent. As always. RIP, we'll miss you.
The whole point of Essgee's G&S is to be satires of light operas that were themselves satirical. Any concern with "treating things with respectfulness" is very misplaced and misunderstands G&S's own intentions. For example, "The Sun Whose Rays" is specifically mocking vanity; Sullivan's magnificant scoring doesn't change this fundamental satirical nature.
"a tar who ploughs the daughter" stares intently into the camera
*Spit take* WHAT?!
If anyone has watched their version of Pirates of penzance, the bridal Vail Helen Donaldson wears in the finale looks exactly like the one she wears in the act 1 finale of pinafore. Please tell me what you think
It is the same company so using same props where available.
This is *_blissfully over the top_* , and I am so sorry that only after his passing did I learn of the greatness that is Australia's Jon English.
No I’m not Rolf Harris! LOL!
Brilliant. RIP Jon
Josephine, the Captain and Ralph were very good singers.
(CYMBAL CRASH) “MIKADO!”
The best thing that ever happend to Gilbert & Sullivan was Ess Gee's interpretation of Little Buttercup, a type of character which was likely not allowed in Victorian England. The second best thing was to add this cadre of expert male dancers.
As far as I can tell, this kind of character was very common in Victorian England. Especially London.
Brilliant - but a pity that the video makes everyone look short and stumpy and almost portly - much wider from head-to-toe. Does anyone know of any video app or tool to "elongate" everthing and everyone back to their original tall, slim athletic shape? Even the then very tall, fit and slim Jon English looks stumpy and squashed ! Compare with these other vids of the performance uploaded long ago by "Tiggr": ua-cam.com/video/ZabozziNI6w/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/ivY2HK777Zg/v-deo.html Paul G
Yeah I’m not sure how many of those sailors are truly interested in Buttercup.
So happy to have found the Simon & Jon English version of this musical as well as pirates & H.M.S! Grew up on these 3 musicals and probably watched pirates a good 30 times until the video tape eventually became too battered to exist any longer. I was extremely lucky and got to see pirates live in Melbourne, it was Jon English’s last ever portrayal of the pirate king in…I want to say 2009(?). These 3 musicals really helped shaped my interests & the direction my creative endeavours took for life. Comedy can convey even the darkest of messages in a way that keeps everyone engaged and not feeling preached to.
I had to get the dvd because of that hahhaah
38:18 For those who missed it, Sir Joseph is saying 'um instead of hum, as is typical of his lowly origins, before correcting himself. This was in the original libretto, but not every performance uses that line.
I like seeing these little touches. They help the production age like a fine wine. I grew up with the EssGee G&S trilogy, and it is one I keep coming back to with more nostalgia, particularly since Jon English died in 2016.
Any chance that you could show the Pirates of Penzance version that had Jon English in.
ua-cam.com/video/-nCPgKVPZHI/v-deo.htmlsi=kB_C3iaJETST__DJ
Gilbert would have HATED this. He hated the idea of even slight changes made to the operettas, he'd be fuming if he saw this.
Guess what? He's dead. So he will know how much money this production would have made him when it toured Australia and New Zealand. Unlucky.
@@Banjo_Tails he probably would have hated the idea of it being in the public domain and missing out on the money too.
Great works of literature and music transcend time. If they are truly great- which G&S works are- they can adapt to modern sensibilities and still be fabulous!
@@tvaddict6623 I'm sure if someone explained to him that it was the only way to pack the Sydney Opera House for one of his shows today was to modernise it with a pop culture star he would understand. But when told he wouldn't get any money for it, even if he somehow came back to life to have the conversation, he would be furious. But then he'd get offers for millions of dollars upfront to write from every opera company in the world, so he would probably feel better about his enduring fame. The scientific community would probably offer him even more money to study why or how he came back to life tho.