The Mikado 

*****

Theatre Royal Brighton, June 13

SASHA Regan’s boys are back in town with another all male Gilbert and Sullivan show.

Their previous productions have set extremely high standards but this version of The Mikado is without doubt their best work to date. 

With men playing women it would be so easy to camp it up but this disaster is avoided.

It could be said that the only camp on show are the three tents that make up the simple set.

Regan’s concept is to have the cast play young children on a camping holiday from which evolves a performance of this classic comic opera.

Her direction is first class with interesting little tweaks and highly innovative, humorous touches.  

Even the people on Ko-Ko’s “Little List” are refreshingly different from the usual targets.

There is hilarious comedy throughout but never to the detriment of the singing which is sublime.

Mention must be made of Holly Hughes’ choreography that forms a major part of the show.

From the balletic prologue to the lively comic routines, the dancing is a sheer delight.

There are too many excellent performances to single out individuals – all the principals give high quality performances and they receive glorious support from the ensemble.

Barrie Jerram