Theatre Review: Hot Mikado - Landor Theatre, London ✭✭✭
Hot Mikado
Landor Theatre
The small space of The
Landor was decorated with Chinese lanterns, a golden willow tree mural and two
giant fans for tonight’s performance of Hot Mikado. Set as a radio broadcast,
complete with ‘home-made’ sound effects, the microphones are then removed to
transform the radio performers into the roles they are playing.
Inspired by Gilbert
and Sullivan’s operetta, ‘The Mikado’, David H. Bell and Rob Bowman wrote ‘Hot Mikado’ to be a far more sassy interpretation
of the original with influences from afro-american jazz and soul. Tonight’s
performance would have benefited from a horn section to give the band more
depth and authenticity, however, the trio gave it their all with added
characterisation.
The afro-american
style of the score also requires vocalists to be particularly soulful and
tonight’s cast were no disappointment. Cast members attack the jazzed up
versions of Sullivan’s original score adopting the ‘scat’ style with vigour, despite
it appearing out of the comfort zone for some. Singing in this style is clearly
a talent of Pooh-Bah (Nathaniel Morrison) who executed his comedic role with
ease and great effect. Another vocal performance that must be noted was ‘Alone
and Yet Alive’ sang by Katisha (Mandi Symonds). It was sung with such
heart-felt passion and blues that you could really sympathise with this vampy
character.
The remaining
principals and supporting roles had clearly thought about their characters and
played them with necessary expression and manner. Ian Mowat’s interpretation of
Ko-Ko was timeless and had the audience expressing a few smirks, whilst
Victoria Varley portrayed Yum-Yum with the necessary naivety of a Gilbert and
Sullivan lead soprano.
For an evening of
light-hearted comedy, this is a production you should be popping/bopping along
to!
You can catch ‘Hot
Mikado’ at The Landor Theatre until Saturday 3rd November.
3 stars out of 5 ✭✭✭
Review by Philippa Stubbs
