Hot Mikado All Set to Open in Thurles
Phoenix Productions will take to the stage on Wednesday evening next in The Premier Hall with their annual summer production of The Hot Mikado which runs until Saturday night August 8th.
A fantastic Gilbert and Sullivan classic which was adapted by David H Hell and Robert Bowman, The Hot Mikado remains true to the original story and message, but the orchestrations and choreography were jazzed up to rev the tempo and bring a bit of swing to what is now a fantastic musical.
Phoenix of course has been associated with some of the top shows staged in Thurles over the last decade or so with Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, Westside Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Guys and Dolls, Seussical and of course last years blockbuster High School Musical. And, all the indications are that this years will be no exception.
Based in feudal Japan, the show tells the tale of Nanki Poo and Yum Yum, characters whose love is challenged by the comedic chaos of Japan's social laws and authority. What follows is a whirl wind of secrets, lies, betrayal, fear and denial, all within the boundaries of a slick tongue in cheek script brimming with the kind of comedic itch and flair you only get from Gilbert and Sullivan.
And with some of the great classic musical numbers such as Gentlemen of Japan, Brave the Raven hair, Wandr'ing Minstrel, Three Little Maids, Midako Song, I've Got a Little List, Tit Willow, Beauty in the Bellow, I am So Proud and many this show is certain to be a big hit with musical lovers who can sing along to all those familiar numbers.
Leading the lines this year will be Katie Lawless as Yum Yum, Shane Willoughby as Nanki Poo, Frank Tuohy as Ko-Ko, Maria Griffin as Peep Bo, Kate Lineen as Petti Sing, David Farah as Pooh Bah, Deirdre Ryan as Katisha and David Carroll as Pish Tush.
The Production team of Gerard O'Brien, David Wray and Aisling Doyle have been joined this year by Jackie Curran-Olohan of Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society fame as Chorus Mistress to help with the very challenging musical score associated with the show. There is quite a lot of four part harmony singing as well as some eight part harmony in places.
Gerard O'Brien told The Tipperary Star, "In many respects this show has been a much more challenging one for us than last years High School Musical. Of course they are two very different types of show but I think people will really love what we have done with The Hot Mikado. It is a very lively show while at the same time staying loyal to the original Mikado. It will appeal to young and old alike and we have put in a huge amount of work to ensure that it is in top shape for Wednesday's opening night," Gerard said.
The line-up features a very experienced cast with Shane Willoughby, Frank Tuohy and Kate Lineen having featured with Thurles Musical Society already this year in Jesus Christ Superstar, Katie Lawless takes on her first big role with Phoenix as Yum Yum also but is not stranger to Thurles audiences following her roles with the Presentation Secondary School, while Maria Griffin, David Farah, Deirdre Ryan are experienced campaigners despite their tender years. David Carroll as Pish Tush also plays a very important and lovely role in the show.
"We are really looking forward to getting on stage now and giving this show a real crack. It is a very lively production and I think people will really appreciate how much work has gone into it. We have been very fortunate in the past to have received tremndous support from the people of Thurles and the surrounding areas and we hope for more of the same this time round. Shows are incredibly expensive to stage and the only way of ensuring that we break even is to have bums on seats," said Gerard who won a seat of his own in the June local elections as a Fianna Fail member of Thurles Town Council.
As we reported in last weeks Tipperary Star, most of the costumes for the show have been designed and made by cast members themselves. This recession busting activity has resulted in personalised costumes coming the way of the 52 strong cast. The costumes alone are well worth seeing.
Tickets can be booked through the Source Box Office at 0504 90204 or on line at the Source as well.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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