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!!
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.
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.
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.
As Rowan Atkinson notes, the secret to good slapstick comedy isn't in the person throwing the punches so much as how everyone reacts to being punched. I absolutely adore Katisha's choreography around the 1:00:00 mark. The actors do a very good job of selling the power of the villain.
I love this version. I wish they had a video version of when ESSGEE did a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. I saw it live as a kid and it was great, but I've never been able to find a recording
I never realised it before, but in the scene where Pooh Bah first meets the girls, Jon English makes a reference to his TV show All Together Now. At first referring to the girls as "Cheeky Babes", which the character of Wayne also referred to women on All Together Now.
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.
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.
..as would be a jest about Jeffrey Epstein and all the unpunished(unlike Rolf..)., unprosecuted elites on his long list of illustrious contacts. Lolita Express - Bill Clinton took 25 trips. Epstein: "I've Got a Little List, I've Got a Little List....". Lol - Lolita !! Paul G
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.
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!!
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
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.
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!!
Thank you so much for posting this. I took my 7 year old son to see this cast in Perth, Western Australia in 95/96. Unforgettable happiness 😊
Лучшая англоязычная версия Микадо!!! А лучшая русская - театра музкомедии Екатеринбург!!!
34:48 Three little Maids from School Staring the Fabulous Singlettes. 💜💛💟
Thanks for posting! I saw this when I was a kid. I still have the program but I'd forgotten so much. It's all coming back to me as I watch!
As Rowan Atkinson notes, the secret to good slapstick comedy isn't in the person throwing the punches so much as how everyone reacts to being punched. I absolutely adore Katisha's choreography around the 1:00:00 mark. The actors do a very good job of selling the power of the villain.
I love this version. I wish they had a video version of when ESSGEE did a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. I saw it live as a kid and it was great, but I've never been able to find a recording
Hi
Funny thing on way forum from this company is on UA-cam ua-cam.com/play/PL5057314B0743A53E.html
Search on UA-cam, you’ll find it.
I never realised it before, but in the scene where Pooh Bah first meets the girls, Jon English makes a reference to his TV show All Together Now. At first referring to the girls as "Cheeky Babes", which the character of Wayne also referred to women on All Together Now.
Thankyou! I watched this a zillion times as a kid and returning to it as a 30 something year old it's better to understand this reference haha.
Thanks for putting this up
Deliciously irreverent. Wish I’d found Jon English before now. R.I.P.
I too only found Jon English a few weeks ago and I have totally fallen under his spell. Everything he does is fantastic. R.I.P
Unfortunately Kevin hocking has also passed (the conductor)
@@karrenturner7837 That's so sad to hear.
I don't get this news as I live in Scotland.
The samurai (!) doing 🎶Nothing Ventured, Nothing Win…🎶 8:07
Thanks for posting such wonderful mikado production
Thanks for bringing this to us. Loved it when they toured.
(CYMBAL CRASH)
“MIKADO!”
Hope Jon English didn’t hurt himself at 12.44!
Did they ever return that purse?!
Gotta love these operas!!! The casts are amazing!!
Aside from the Mikado thinking that he is Elvis, his best gag is that he never got Nanki Poo's name right.
I didn't know what napisan is without research
BRAVO!
1:08:59 underrated, but that knee bend is SO difficult. Don't try this at home.
I bought a dvd - it was actually just a rip from a VHS....
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.
No I’m not Rolf Harris! LOL!
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
改编不是乱编，戏说不是胡说
Eek the rolf Harris joke is a bit less funny now unfortunately
..as would be a jest about Jeffrey Epstein and all the unpunished(unlike Rolf..)., unprosecuted elites on his long list of illustrious contacts. Lolita Express - Bill Clinton took 25 trips. Epstein: "I've Got a Little List, I've Got a Little List....".
Lol - Lolita !!
Paul G
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.
I personally find it just a vehicle for this guy to piss around. Hate it.
Me too.