The Mikado 2020 Auditions 8 – 9 February 2020
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The Mikado 2020 Auditions 8 – 9 February 2020 Auditions for this production will be held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of February 2020. Details of the operetta, SWOC’s production, and how to audition are given in this document. Anyone 16 years or older is welcome to audition. For any additional information email The Mikado at [email protected]. The operetta The Mikado or The Town of Titipu Music by Arthur Sullivan: Lyrics and Libretto by W.S. Gilbert First performed at the Savoy Theatre, London - 14 March 1885 (it ran for 672 performances) First performed in the USA at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York - 19 August, 1885 First performed in Australia at the Theatre Royal, Sydney – 14th November, 1885 Historical context The Mikado has been performed more times, and in more countries, than any of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. It was first performed at the Savoy Theatre in London on the 14th March, 1885. Inspiration for the story came when a Samurai sword, on display in Gilbert’s study, fell from the wall as he was pondering what might become the theme of the collaboration’s ninth opera. Gilbert (the lyricist of the partnership) took this as an omen and determined to ‘leave his own country alone’ for a while and turn his biting satire instead towards the East. As it was, he merely took the opportunity to further satirise British politics and institutions more freely by clothing them in superficial Japanese trappings. He did not have to look far to research the subject of his new play. He found all the material he wanted in Knightsbridge, a little village of Japanese immigrants within a mile of his own home in South Kensington. Here he witnessed the strange arts, devices and lifestyles of this proud race in an exhibition that was being held at the time. Even Geisha girls were to be seen serving tea in the traditional Japanese manner At that time in fashionable London, things Japanese were becoming all the rage. Oriental prints and ceramics were on sale, along with Japanese fabrics and dresses. This was all made possible by the opening of trade between England and Japan. It seemed like the perfect time to produce an opera based in an exquisite, oriental country. Cast of Characters The Mikado of Japan – bass-baritone Nanki-Poo – tenor – His Son, disguised as a wandering minstrel; in love with Yum-Yum Ko-Ko – baritone – The Lord High Executioner of Titipu Pooh-Bah – bass-baritone – Lord High Everything Else Pish-Tush – baritone – A Noble Lord Go-To – bass-baritone – A Noble Lord Yum-Yum – soprano – A Ward of Ko-Ko, also engaged to Ko-Ko Pitti-Sing – mezzo-soprano – A Ward of Ko-Ko Peep-Bo – soprano – A Ward of Ko-Ko Katisha – contralto – An Elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo Chorus of School-Girls, Nobles, Guards and Coolies 1 The Mikado 2020 Auditions 8 – 9 February 2020 The Story (Setting: The Town of Titipu, Japan) The Mikado has decreed that the act of flirting when ‘not connubially linked’ is punishable by death. Horrified by this prospect, the townsfolk of Titipu appoint Ko-Ko as the Lord High Executioner – he has been imprisoned for flirting and would be obliged to execute himself before beheading anyone else. Arriving in Titipu, Nanki-Poo is distressed to hear of this new appointment. He has been forced to leave his father’s Court to avoid execution due to the unwarranted attentions of Katisha and has come to Titipu to claim Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko's bride-to- be, believing that she would now be freed of her engagement to Ko-Ko in the light of his imprisonment. Yum-Yum has no desire to marry Ko-Ko but knows that he will not release her to anybody else, especially not to an itinerant musician. Heartbroken, Nanki-Poo prepares to commit suicide but is prevented from doing so by Ko-Ko, who has received orders from the Mikado to execute someone within the month, and suggests that Nanki-Poo be the required victim. Nanki- Poo agrees on the condition that in the meantime he can marry Yum-Yum, a plan which receives a temporary set-back at the discovery that the wife of a beheaded man must be buried alive. However, when they hear that the Mikado, accompanied by Katisha, is approaching the town, Ko-Ko, anxious to avoid the Mikado's wrath, decides to pretend that Nanki-Poo's execution has already taken place. Unfortunately, the Mikado is furious to learn that it is his son who has supposedly been beheaded and Ko-Ko has no choice but to persuade Nanki-Poo to "come back to life", a plan Nanki-Poo will only agree to if Ko-Ko proposes to the unwed Katisha. Reluctantly he agrees and Katisha, believing Nanki-Poo to be dead, accepts the proposal. With Katisha out of the way, Nanki-Poo appears before the Mikado. He is delighted to see his son alive, and all is forgiven. Character descriptions The following character descriptions outline the roles and their singing parts in The Mikado. There are 5 main male characters in The Mikado and 4 female lead roles. The roles are – in order of appearance: Role Voice Songs performed Nanki Poo Tenor 1 solo, 2 duets, 1 madrigal, 1 trio, recitative2 and finales Pish Tush Baritone 1 Solo, 1 trio, 1 madrigal Pooh Bah Bass-Baritone 1 solo, 1 quartet, 3 trios, 1 glee1, finale and recitative2 Ko Ko Baritone 3 solos, 2 duets, 2 trios, 1 glee1, finale and recitative2 Yum Yum Soprano 2 trios, 1 quartet, 1 duet, 1 solo, 1 madrigal, finale Peep Bo Soprano 1 trio, 1 quartet, finale and recitative2 Pitti Sing Mezzo-soprano 2 trios, 1 quartet, 1 solo, 1 madrigal, finale and recitative2 Katisha Contralto 2 solos, 1 duet, 1 glee1, finale and recitative2 The Mikado Bass-Baritone 1 solo, 1 glee1, finale 1 a style of song popular in 18th & 19th century England – see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_(music) 2 sung dialogue 2 The Mikado 2020 Auditions 8 – 9 February 2020 About the Characters Nanki Poo The son of The Mikado. He has fled his father’s court to escape the determined advances of Katisha, a lady of mature years who has decided that he is the one chance that she has left. He has made his escape, and disguised now as a ‘wandering minstrel’, is searching for the beautiful Yum-Yum, who he has seen just once at a band concert, and with whom he has fallen head over heels in love. A strong young man determined not to be forced into something against his will. He is the ‘romantic’ male lead in the show. Pish Tush Described by Gilbert as ‘a Noble Lord’, this character is the one who shows sense and to that end is perceived to be trying to keep matters under control. He has a strong solo which describes the situation regarding the post of Lord High Executioner, thus putting the audience in ‘the picture.’ Pooh Bah This delightful character makes self-promotion into an art form, and is only comfortable when he is the centre of attention. He tells us that he ‘was born sneering’, regarding everyone to be below him in every respect. He is an absolute chauvinist, and women un-nerve him completely. He really is a very pompous and odious character, but will show a trace of humanity that will eventually win through! Ko Ko The Lord High Executioner of Titipu (the highest rank a citizen can obtain) Described as ‘a cheap tailor’, this poor chap, though having committed no crime other than having a flirtatious eye, has found himself promoted to the exalted rank of Lord High Executioner. He can cope with this, and quite enjoys being the centre of attention until he is actually compelled to ‘do the deed’. He is also engaged to marry Yum-Yum, even though she doesn’t love him. Panic sets in when confronted with an order from the Mikado commanding him to have a public execution. The role provides the actor with a wonderful range of emotions to display. An excellent character part with a strong comic element. Ko Ko is the traditional G&S ‘patter’ role and is the only character in The Mikado to have a truly Japanese name. Yum Yum A little bit naïve, she has a limited knowledge of the world away from Ko-Ko and her two companions. She believes that she is ‘the most beautiful girl in the world’ because she has nothing to judge this by, and no-one has ever told her otherwise. Thrilled and flattered when Nanki-Poo comes looking for her, her interest in him falters when she discovers that he has agreed to be executed as long as Ko-Ko will allow him to marry her for a month. She also learns that as the wife of an executed man, she will be buried alive. This definitely cools her ardour! She sings the wonderful “The Sun Whose Rays” and is the ‘romantic’ female lead in the show. Peep Bo Sister of Yum Yum, this character is the one who will tell things as they are. She does not spare fools gladly at all, and although not a large principal part it supplies a wonderful opportunity for a young character actress to make herself noticed. A lovely little character role. 3 The Mikado 2020 Auditions 8 – 9 February 2020 Pitti Sing (Pretty thing) She is the best friend of Yum-Yum; a live wire who easily supplies the sense that Yum-Yum lacks.