A true romantic  comedy, The Mikado is fresh, fun, cheeky - and sung in English!

Director Stuart Maunder and designer Simone Romaniuk are the creative forces at the helm of Opera Queensland’s new production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s wacky romp.

Set in a Japan that never actually existed, this hilarious parody unfolds in the mythical town of Titipu, a place where flirting has become a capital crime – punishable by death.

A year before the action of the opera unfolds, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado (the Emperor of Japan), fled his father's imperial court to escape certain marriage with Katisha, an older woman and resident court cougar.

Disguised as a travelling musician, Nanki-Poo meets and falls in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a low-cost tailor in the town of Titipu to whom she is betrothed. All seems lost for the travelling troubadour - that is, until he hears that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for the crime of flirting.

Spurred on by hope, our hero returns to Titipu to reclaim the heart of his beloved Yum-Yum. But, as in most British comedy, things take a turn toward the absurd and the saucy.

Emerging Brisbane tenor Dominic Walsh makes his role debut as Nanki-Poo with UK-based Brisbane soprano Kristy Swift as his lovely Yum-Yum and renowned Australian actor Eugene Gilfedder as Ko-Ko. They are joined by a wonderful lineup of artists: Andrew Moran as Pooh-Bah,Jason Barry-Smith as Pish-Tush, Adele Johnston as Katisha, Richard Anderson as the Mikado,Emily Burke as Pitti-Sing and Deborah Rogers as Peep-Bo. Maestro Brian Castles-Onion leads the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Queensland Ensemble.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s spicy dip into the world of subterfuge and political satire has been thrilling audiences for generations. This wonderful production of The Mikado will prove that laughter is still the best medicine.

The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Sung in English.
Running time approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including one 20-minute interval.

Venue: Conservatorium Theatre, QCGU, South Bank

Dates: 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 July

Tickets: $49.25* to $84.25* (*includes qtix booking fee; additional $5.95 qtix transaction fee applies)

Bookings: qtix 136 246 or online www.qtix.com.au