Not live page! Just notes to save re-typing
ACT I
Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Official Residence
Gentlemen of the fictitious Japanese town of Titipu are gathered ("If you want to know who we are"). A handsome but poor minstrel, Nanki-Poo, arrives and introduces himself ("A wand'ring minstrel I"). He inquires about his beloved, a schoolgirl called Yum-Yum, who is a ward of Ko-Ko (formerly a cheap tailor). One of the gentlemen, Pish-Tush, explains that when the Mikado decreed that flirting was a capital crime, the Titipu authorities frustrated the decree by appointing Ko-Ko, a prisoner condemned to death for flirting, to the post of Lord High Executioner ("Our great Mikado, virtuous man"). As Ko-Ko was the next prisoner scheduled to be decapitated, the town authorities reasoned that he could "not cut off another's head until he cut his own off", and since Ko-Ko was not likely to try to execute himself, no executions could take place. However, all of the town's officials except the haughty nobleman, Pooh-Bah, proved too proud to serve under an ex-tailor, and they resigned. Pooh-Bah now holds all their posts and collects all their salaries. Pooh-Bah informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum is scheduled to marry Ko-Ko on the very day that he has returned ("Young man, despair").
Ko-Ko enters ("Behold the Lord High Executioner") and asserts himself by reading off a list of people "who would not be missed" if they were executed ("As some day it may happen"), such as people "who eat peppermint and puff it in your face". Yum-Yum appears with Ko-Ko's other two wards, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing ("Comes a train of little ladies", "Three little maids from school"). Pooh-Bah does not think that the girls have shown him enough respect ("So please you, sir"). Nanki-Poo arrives and informs Ko-Ko of his love for Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko sends him away, but Nanki-Poo manages to meet with his beloved and reveals his secret to Yum-Yum: he is the son and heir of the Mikado, but travels in disguise to avoid the amorous advances of Katisha, an elderly lady of his father's court. They lament that the law forbids them to flirt ("Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted").
Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah receive news that the Mikado has just decreed that unless an execution is carried out in Titipu within a month, the town will be reduced to the rank of a village, which would bring "irretrievable ruin". Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush point to Ko-Ko himself as the obvious choice for beheading, since he was already under sentence of death ("I am so proud"). Ko-Ko argues, however, that, firstly, it would be "extremely difficult, not to say dangerous", for someone to attempt their own beheading, and secondly, it would be suicide, which is a capital offence. Fortuitously, Ko-Ko discovers that Nanki-Poo, in despair over losing Yum-Yum, is preparing to commit suicide. After ascertaining that nothing would change Nanki-Poo's mind, Ko-Ko makes a bargain with him: Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum for one month if, at the end of that time, he allows himself to be executed. Ko-Ko would then marry the young widow.
Everyone arrives to celebrate Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum's union ("With aspect stern and gloomy stride"), but the festivities are interrupted by the arrival of Katisha, who has come to claim Nanki-Poo as her husband. However, the townspeople are sympathetic to the young couple, and Katisha's attempts to reveal Nanki-Poo's secret are drowned out by the shouting of the crowd. Outwitted but not defeated, Katisha makes it clear that she intends to get vengeance.
Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Official Residence
Gentlemen of the fictitious Japanese town of Titipu are gathered ("If you want to know who we are"). A handsome but poor minstrel, Nanki-Poo, arrives and introduces himself ("A wand'ring minstrel I"). He inquires about his beloved, a schoolgirl called Yum-Yum, who is a ward of Ko-Ko (formerly a cheap tailor). One of the gentlemen, Pish-Tush, explains that when the Mikado decreed that flirting was a capital crime, the Titipu authorities frustrated the decree by appointing Ko-Ko, a prisoner condemned to death for flirting, to the post of Lord High Executioner ("Our great Mikado, virtuous man"). As Ko-Ko was the next prisoner scheduled to be decapitated, the town authorities reasoned that he could "not cut off another's head until he cut his own off", and since Ko-Ko was not likely to try to execute himself, no executions could take place. However, all of the town's officials except the haughty nobleman, Pooh-Bah, proved too proud to serve under an ex-tailor, and they resigned. Pooh-Bah now holds all their posts and collects all their salaries. Pooh-Bah informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum is scheduled to marry Ko-Ko on the very day that he has returned ("Young man, despair").
Ko-Ko enters ("Behold the Lord High Executioner") and asserts himself by reading off a list of people "who would not be missed" if they were executed ("As some day it may happen"), such as people "who eat peppermint and puff it in your face". Yum-Yum appears with Ko-Ko's other two wards, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing ("Comes a train of little ladies", "Three little maids from school"). Pooh-Bah does not think that the girls have shown him enough respect ("So please you, sir"). Nanki-Poo arrives and informs Ko-Ko of his love for Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko sends him away, but Nanki-Poo manages to meet with his beloved and reveals his secret to Yum-Yum: he is the son and heir of the Mikado, but travels in disguise to avoid the amorous advances of Katisha, an elderly lady of his father's court. They lament that the law forbids them to flirt ("Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted").
Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah receive news that the Mikado has just decreed that unless an execution is carried out in Titipu within a month, the town will be reduced to the rank of a village, which would bring "irretrievable ruin". Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush point to Ko-Ko himself as the obvious choice for beheading, since he was already under sentence of death ("I am so proud"). Ko-Ko argues, however, that, firstly, it would be "extremely difficult, not to say dangerous", for someone to attempt their own beheading, and secondly, it would be suicide, which is a capital offence. Fortuitously, Ko-Ko discovers that Nanki-Poo, in despair over losing Yum-Yum, is preparing to commit suicide. After ascertaining that nothing would change Nanki-Poo's mind, Ko-Ko makes a bargain with him: Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum for one month if, at the end of that time, he allows himself to be executed. Ko-Ko would then marry the young widow.
Everyone arrives to celebrate Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum's union ("With aspect stern and gloomy stride"), but the festivities are interrupted by the arrival of Katisha, who has come to claim Nanki-Poo as her husband. However, the townspeople are sympathetic to the young couple, and Katisha's attempts to reveal Nanki-Poo's secret are drowned out by the shouting of the crowd. Outwitted but not defeated, Katisha makes it clear that she intends to get vengeance.
ACT II
Ko-Ko's Garden.
Yum-Yum is being prepared by her friends for her wedding ("Braid the raven hair"), after which she muses on her own beauty ("The sun whose rays"). Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo return to remind her of the limited duration of her impending union. Joined by Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush, they try to keep their spirits up ("Brightly dawns our wedding-day"), but soon Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah enter to inform them of a twist in the law that states that when a married man is beheaded for flirting, his wife must be buried alive ("Here's a how-de-do"). Yum-Yum is unwilling to marry under these circumstances, and so Nanki-Poo challenges Ko-Ko to behead him on the spot. It turns out, however, that the soft-hearted Ko-Ko has never executed anyone and cannot execute Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko instead sends Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum away to be wed (by Pooh-Bah, as Archbishop of Titipu), promising to present to the Mikado a false affidavit in evidence of the fictitious execution.
"His teeth, I've enacted,
Shall all be extracted
By terrified amateurs."
The Mikado and Katisha arrive in Titipu accompanied by a large procession ("Mi-ya Sa-Ma", "From Every Kind of Man"). The Mikado describes his system of justice ("A more humane Mikado"). Ko-Ko assumes that the ruler has come to see whether an execution has been carried out. Aided by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, he graphically describes the supposed execution ("The criminal cried") and hands the Mikado the certificate of death, signed and sworn to by Pooh-Bah as coroner. Ko-Ko notes slyly that most of the town's important officers (that is, Pooh-Bah) were present at the ceremony. However, the Mikado has come about an entirely different matter; he is searching for his son. When they hear that the Mikado's son "goes by the name of Nanki-Poo", the three panic, and Ko-Ko says that Nanki-Poo "has gone abroad". Meanwhile, Katisha is reading the death certificate and notes with horror that the person executed was Nanki-Poo. The Mikado, though expressing understanding and sympathy ("See How the Fates"), discusses with Katisha the statutory punishment "for compassing the death of the heir apparent" to the Imperial throne – something lingering, "with boiling oil ... or melted lead". With the three conspirators facing painful execution, Ko-Ko pleads with Nanki-Poo to reveal himself to his father. Nanki-Poo fears that Katisha will demand his execution if she finds he is alive, but he suggests that if Katisha could be persuaded to marry Ko-Ko, then Nanki-Poo could safely "come to life again", as Katisha would have no claim on him ("The flowers that bloom in the spring"). Though Katisha is "something appalling", Ko-Ko has no choice: it is marriage to Katisha, or a painful death for himself, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah.
Ko-Ko finds Katisha mourning her loss ("Alone, and yet alive") and throws himself on her mercy. He begs for her hand in marriage, saying that he has long harboured a passion for her. Katisha initially rebuffs him, but is soon moved by his story of a bird who died of heartbreak ("Tit-willow"). She agrees ("There is beauty in the bellow of the blast") and, once the ceremony is performed (by Pooh-Bah, the Registrar), she begs for the Mikado's mercy for him and his accomplices. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum then reappear, sparking Katisha's fury. The Mikado is astonished that Nanki-Poo is alive, as the account of his execution had been given with such "affecting particulars". Ko-Ko explains that when a royal command for an execution is given, the victim is, legally speaking, as good as dead, "and if he is dead, why not say so?" The Mikado deems that "Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory", and everyone in Titipu celebrates ("For he's gone and married Yum-Yum").
Ko-Ko's Garden.
Yum-Yum is being prepared by her friends for her wedding ("Braid the raven hair"), after which she muses on her own beauty ("The sun whose rays"). Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo return to remind her of the limited duration of her impending union. Joined by Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush, they try to keep their spirits up ("Brightly dawns our wedding-day"), but soon Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah enter to inform them of a twist in the law that states that when a married man is beheaded for flirting, his wife must be buried alive ("Here's a how-de-do"). Yum-Yum is unwilling to marry under these circumstances, and so Nanki-Poo challenges Ko-Ko to behead him on the spot. It turns out, however, that the soft-hearted Ko-Ko has never executed anyone and cannot execute Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko instead sends Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum away to be wed (by Pooh-Bah, as Archbishop of Titipu), promising to present to the Mikado a false affidavit in evidence of the fictitious execution.
"His teeth, I've enacted,
Shall all be extracted
By terrified amateurs."
The Mikado and Katisha arrive in Titipu accompanied by a large procession ("Mi-ya Sa-Ma", "From Every Kind of Man"). The Mikado describes his system of justice ("A more humane Mikado"). Ko-Ko assumes that the ruler has come to see whether an execution has been carried out. Aided by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, he graphically describes the supposed execution ("The criminal cried") and hands the Mikado the certificate of death, signed and sworn to by Pooh-Bah as coroner. Ko-Ko notes slyly that most of the town's important officers (that is, Pooh-Bah) were present at the ceremony. However, the Mikado has come about an entirely different matter; he is searching for his son. When they hear that the Mikado's son "goes by the name of Nanki-Poo", the three panic, and Ko-Ko says that Nanki-Poo "has gone abroad". Meanwhile, Katisha is reading the death certificate and notes with horror that the person executed was Nanki-Poo. The Mikado, though expressing understanding and sympathy ("See How the Fates"), discusses with Katisha the statutory punishment "for compassing the death of the heir apparent" to the Imperial throne – something lingering, "with boiling oil ... or melted lead". With the three conspirators facing painful execution, Ko-Ko pleads with Nanki-Poo to reveal himself to his father. Nanki-Poo fears that Katisha will demand his execution if she finds he is alive, but he suggests that if Katisha could be persuaded to marry Ko-Ko, then Nanki-Poo could safely "come to life again", as Katisha would have no claim on him ("The flowers that bloom in the spring"). Though Katisha is "something appalling", Ko-Ko has no choice: it is marriage to Katisha, or a painful death for himself, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah.
Ko-Ko finds Katisha mourning her loss ("Alone, and yet alive") and throws himself on her mercy. He begs for her hand in marriage, saying that he has long harboured a passion for her. Katisha initially rebuffs him, but is soon moved by his story of a bird who died of heartbreak ("Tit-willow"). She agrees ("There is beauty in the bellow of the blast") and, once the ceremony is performed (by Pooh-Bah, the Registrar), she begs for the Mikado's mercy for him and his accomplices. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum then reappear, sparking Katisha's fury. The Mikado is astonished that Nanki-Poo is alive, as the account of his execution had been given with such "affecting particulars". Ko-Ko explains that when a royal command for an execution is given, the victim is, legally speaking, as good as dead, "and if he is dead, why not say so?" The Mikado deems that "Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory", and everyone in Titipu celebrates ("For he's gone and married Yum-Yum").
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Ticket price for both venues £10, and can be available on the door or reserved in advance from Winchelsea Farm Kitchen and Second Spin:
- Winchelsea Farm Kitchen
11-12 High Street Winchelsea, TN36 4EA 01797 226287 - Second Spin
14 Sackville Road Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JL 01424 210894 - or call 01424 425028
“A Rollicking Romp” - Gilbert and Sullivan
is taking place over three consecutive evenings in September, at Winchelsea, Battle and Bexhill: -
Tickets available from:
is taking place over three consecutive evenings in September, at Winchelsea, Battle and Bexhill: -
- Friday 20th September 2019, at 7pm
at St Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea - Saturday 21st September 2019, at 7pm
Emmanuel Centre, Marley Lane, Battle - Sunday 22nd September 2019, at 7pm
Manor Barn, Bexhill
Tickets available from:
- Winchelsea Farm Kitchen
11-12 High Street Winchelsea, TN36 4EA 01797 226287 - The Emmanuel Centre
Harrier Lane Battle, TN33 0FL 01424 777029 - Second Spin
14 Sackville Road Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JL 01424 210894 - or from Gillian on 01424 425028
Rehearsal schedule (chorus rehearsals are for information for Principals):
Some 2017 chorus rehearsals to be in the evenings
Sun 15-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
Sun 22-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm Nigel TBC
Sun 05-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
Sun 19-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 03-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 10-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 17-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 07-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 14-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 21-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 28-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 04-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 18-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 25-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 04-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Weekday evening TBC - Chorus-only music rehearsals will be added
Sun 18-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 25-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC
[Sun 01-Apr-18 - Easter Sunday]
Further Principal daytime /evening rehearsals TBC over next 3 weeks
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Orchestral rehearsal - morning
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 15-Apr-18 - Hell Sunday - 4pm-10pm
Mon 16-Apr-18 - Sitzprobe rehearsal - 7.15pm-10.15pm
Tue 17-Apr-18 - Technical rehearsal - 6pm-10:00pm
Wed 18-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 1 - 6pm-10:00pm
Thu 19-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 2 - 6pm-10:00pm
Fri 20-Apr-18 - Production night 1 - 6pm-10:30pm (7.30pm curtain-up)
Sat 21-Apr-18 - Production night 2 - 6pm-10:30pm (7.30pm curtain-up)
Some 2017 chorus rehearsals to be in the evenings
Sun 15-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
Sun 22-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm Nigel TBC
Sun 05-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
Sun 19-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 03-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 10-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 17-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 07-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 14-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 21-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 28-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 04-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 18-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 25-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 04-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Weekday evening TBC - Chorus-only music rehearsals will be added
Sun 18-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 25-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC
[Sun 01-Apr-18 - Easter Sunday]
Further Principal daytime /evening rehearsals TBC over next 3 weeks
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Orchestral rehearsal - morning
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 15-Apr-18 - Hell Sunday - 4pm-10pm
Mon 16-Apr-18 - Sitzprobe rehearsal - 7.15pm-10.15pm
Tue 17-Apr-18 - Technical rehearsal - 6pm-10:00pm
Wed 18-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 1 - 6pm-10:00pm
Thu 19-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 2 - 6pm-10:00pm
Fri 20-Apr-18 - Production night 1 - 6pm-10:30pm (7.30pm curtain-up)
Sat 21-Apr-18 - Production night 2 - 6pm-10:30pm (7.30pm curtain-up)
- Sunday 6th December 2015 - OSE Carol Concert, St Clements Church, Swan Terrace/High Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3ES, starting at 6:30pm and lasting until approx 7:45pm.
An evening of seasonal music and carols with audience participation. Kenneth Roberts conducting, with Nigel Howard as organist. Featuring a children's choir from Claremont School, and the results of their musical carol composition competition with its premier performance by OSE on the night.
Tickets: priced at £8. Free entry for each accompanied under-16 year old. Available in advance from Imagen Gallery, 20 Claremont, Hastings or from the door on the night.
Concert rehearsals for OSE Concert in aid of HVRAB
This is an important concert for us as it effectively pays for our use of the Taplin Centre throughout the year for our rehearsals as it is our way of thanking Hastings & Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind :)
- Tues 12th May rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Tues 19th May rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Sun 24th May 2.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Mon June 1st rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Sun 7th June 2.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Sun 21st June 6.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Thurs 25th June rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
- Sun 28th June - Afternoon Rehearsal & Concert performance (St Clements Church)
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Verdi's Il Trovatore by Opera South East!
Orpheus in the Underworld, 2012
Reviews
Selected past events
Orpheus in the Underworld, 2012
Poster for our latest production - Carmen, 2014
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Forthcoming OSE events
Join us for our various upcoming events... and keep the dates free in your diary!
2pm-3:30pm Sun 11th Jan - OSE Members meeting (upstairs at The Cinque Port Arms) 3:30pm Sun 11th Jan - Il Trovatore screening (Electric Palace Theatre) Join our mailing listIf you would like to be kept up to date on forthcoming productions and events from OSE then please add (or remove) yourself from our performance mailing list here:
Some past operas...
La Traviata, 2004
Nabucco 2012
H.M.S. Pinafore, 2011
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