Following the record-breaking success of live screenings across the UK and Ireland of Mike Leigh’s The Pirates of Penzance; live screenings of The Barber of Seville, Carmen, La traviata, the award-winning Peter Grimes and Terry Gilliam’s production of Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini, ENO Screen is set to broadcast The Mikado live from the London Coliseum on Thursday 3 December at 7.30pm in cinemas across the UK and Ireland, and selected cinemas worldwide. In Leeds its at The Vue, Kirkstall, Leeds
Jonathan Miller’s hilarious production of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic returns to the London Coliseum, for its 14th revival and will celebrate its 200th performance on 6 December 2015. With its Marx Brother’s inspired song-and-dance take on Gilbert & Sullivan, Miller’s production has long been a hit with theatre-goers of all ages.
This iconic ENO production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘Japanese’ satire takes the story out of the tiny oriental town of Titipu and sets it in the faintly seedy grandeur of a 1930s English hotel – the perfect place for lampooning targets much closer to home.
Full of high-kicking chorus lines, satirical touches and a wonderfully elegant score it tells the tale of Nanki-Poo and his love for Yum Yum. There’s just one snag. She’s betrothed to Ko-Ko, the new Lord High Executioner. And he needs someone to execute otherwise it’s his own head on the block. Perhaps Ko-Ko and Nanki-Poo can come to some arrangement, without anyone losing their head?
ENO Charles Mackerras Fellow Fergus Macleod makes his company debut conducting these performances. The ENO Mackerras Fellowship celebrates the legacy of Sir Charles Mackerras, ENO Music Director 1970–1977, by providing a unique opportunity for an emerging conducting talent to develop their skills with mentoring from former ENO Music Director Edward Gardner and current Music Director Mark Wigglesworth. Aged 28 Fergus is the youngest conductor to lead the company since Charles Mackerras.
Leading an all British cast of youthful talent and seasoned veterans is distinguished bass Robert Lloyd who sings The Mikado of Japan for the first time. Baritone Richard Suart is synonymous with the role of Ko-Ko. Once again he will charm and delight audiences in this comic role and his infamous ‘little list’.
ENO Harwood Artist Mary Bevan returns to the role of Yum-Yum. Anthony Gregory, also an ENO Harewood Artist makes his role debut as Nanki-Poo. The cast is completed by Graeme Danby as Poo-Bah, George Humphreys as Pish-Tush, Yvonne Howard as Katisha and Rachael Lloyd as Pitti-Sing.
Miller’s unique vision of a 1930’s English, sea-side hotel was immaculately captured by the late, celebrated stage designer Stefanos Lazaridis, a frequent collaborator with ENO for more than 30 years. The creative team includes costume designer Sue Blane, choreographer Antony van Laast and lighting designer Davy Cunningham.
Altive Media’s live cinema broadcast of Mike Leigh’s operatic debut for English National Opera The Pirates of Penzance is the highest-grossing live opera event in cinemas and other venues across the UK.
ENO Screen, a partnership between Altive Media, the UK’s leading producer and distributor of alternative content, and English National Opera was launched in 2013. ENO Screen’s live cinema broadcasts are as distinctive as ENO’s live work in the theatre, creating a unique cinematic experience for audience members across the globe. Multiple HD cameras provide unusual angles and close up views of the action on stage and in the orchestra pit, giving a true cinematic experience for audiences.
The Mikado is sung and subtitled in English | Running time: 2hrs 30mins