The Mikado in February 2007

ACT I – TITIPU TOWN SQUARE

The show opens in Titipu, Japan, where Nanki-Poo has just arrived in search of his love, Yum-Yum. She was to marry her guardian, Ko-Ko, who was condemned to death for flirting. Unfortunately Ko-Ko is now the Lord High Executioner, and the arranged marriage is back on. Pooh-Bah, the local minister, corroborates the story for a small fee.

We turn to Ko-Ko who is organising with Pooh-Bah how to pay for the impending marriage. Seeing his bride approach, Ko-Ko asks Pooh-Bah to flatter him in front of her. Nanki-Poo also turns up and tells Ko-Ko of his love for Yum-Yum, but is escorted off. Pooh-Bah leaves in a huff after being teased by the school girls.

Returning, Nanki-Poo finds that Yum-Yum is not in love with Ko-Ko. He then reveals that he is the only son of the Mikado, also trying to avoid an arranged marriage! The pair sit in despair thinking about what they would like to do, if it weren’t for the law…

A letter from the Mikado arrives, informing Ko-Ko that he must execute someone soon or return to prison! After Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush refuse, he goes in search of a volunteer.

When Nanki-Poo walks by, Ko-Ko discovers that he cannot contemplate a life without Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko seizes the opportunity and agrees that, in return for a month of married life with his love, Nanki-Poo will be executed in style. The whole town rejoices. It is now that Katisha, the jilted lover of Nanki-Poo, turns up and demands he come back to her or she shall reveal his true identity. Yum-Yum cleverly ensures that she is ignored and the act ends with Katisha vowing revenge.

ACT II - TITIPU TOWN ENTRANCE, OUTSIDE YUM-YUM’S HOUSE

It is the day of the wedding, and all are happy until it is remembered that Nanki-Poo is to be killed in a month. Nanki-Poo tries to cheer Yum-Yum up, with limited success, but is not helped by the appearance of Ko-Ko. He has some bad news – the wives of executed men are buried alive! The wedding is called off and Nanki-Poo plans suicide again. With bad timing Pooh-Bah informs Ko-Ko of the Mikado’s imminent arrival and, with Nanki-Poo pressing for on-the-spot execution, we find that Ko-Ko doesn’t have the heart to do it. Thinking quickly, he tells Nanki-Poo to go and marry Yum-Yum and leave the town for good, in return Pooh-Bah will sign an affidavit that Nanki-Poo has been executed in accordance with the Mikado’s wishes.

Upon his arrival the Mikado is told an elaborate story containing the fabricated details of the execution. This pleases the Mikado, who reveals the real purpose for his visit – to find his son, Nanki-Poo. The Mikado is shown his name on the death certificate and after much apologising declares that the three responsible will be put to death, after lunch.

Annoyed by each other’s storytelling, Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah try to persuade Nanki-Poo to come back to life and save them. He refuses unless Ko-Ko can capture the affections of Katisha, allowing Nanki-Poo to stay with Yum-Yum.

Reluctantly, Ko-Ko woos the distraught Katisha and, with the aid of a tale of a love-sick bird manages to convince her of the sincerity of his feelings. The only thing left to do is to plead for mercy from the Mikado...