The Mikado has decreed that flirting should be punishable by death. But when his son Nanki-Poo falls for the beautiful Yum-Yum, it looks like someone might be heading for the executioner’s block. Unfortunately for Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner also has Yum-Yum in his sights. Can a case of mistaken identity save the day?
Sullivan’s sunny and sparkling score is perfectly matched by Gilbert’s satirical lyrics, showing the pair at the height of their creative powers. From the famous ‘Three little maids’ and ‘Tit-willow’ to the witty ‘I’ve got a little list’, the show features some of G&S’s most recognisable tunes.
We welcomed back several of the team from The Pirates of Penzance including Richard Suart, Nicholas Sharratt, Rebecca Bottone, former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Sioned Gwen Davies and conductors David Steadman and Derek Clark. Baritone Stephen Richardson sings The Mikado, with comic genius Andrew Shore as Pooh-Bah.
Performances of our co-production of The Mikado, with Scottish Opera ended on 2nd July in Southampton. Across the Scottish venues and the English and Northern Irish venues the attendance figures far exceeded the attendance for our co-production of The Pirates of Penzance, in 2013. We are delighted with this improvement as it shows us that our audience approves of what we’re doing and that they are enjoying our collaboration with Scottish Opera as much as we are.
Join us as we take you behind the scenes of Scottish Opera's production of the Mikado, and Meet the Makers behind the curtain.
Gilbert's serendipitous encounter with a fallen Japanese sword and Sullivan's composition led to a stunning portrayal of the town of Titipu, resulting in an unbounded success acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.
Click below to learn more about Gilbert & Sullivan's masterpiece.
Our 2025 co-production with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park
Learn MoreThe 150th Anniversary co-production of Trial by Jury, in a double bill with a new commission, A Matter of Misconduct by Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession
Learn MoreIn 2025, we will collaborate with Scottish Opera for a fourth time. We are co-producing a brand new production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár and, to celebrate our sesquicentennial, a new production of Trial by Jury.
Learn More
