Customer Reviews

Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Conrad, Stewart, Revill, Opera World

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On the whole, this was an exceptionally disapointing and in some respects offensive presentation. Not only were the vocalists weak (especially, unfortunately, William Conrad as the Mikado, who was uneven and even squeaky at times), but the scenery was garish and the costumes bordered on cheap. The choreography was also extremely spasmodic, and the work with the fans was flabby and erratic. An absolute low point was reached with Pish Tush, who not only wore the outfit of a Japanese ambassador from the mid 1930s, but also sported a set of genuine buck teeth. What was next on the list, one wonders, perhaps a set of "coke bottle" eyeglasses?

To see a happier performance of this material, in a style that respects the perfectionist production qualities of W.S. Gilbert, I highly recommend the 1966 D'Oyly Carte production instead. The difference between that performance and this abomination is the difference between the stylized elegance of kibuki and the low burlesque of, um, someplace that does really low burlesque.

This MIKADO video is an excellent production on every level. William Conrad does an excellent job as the eponymous title-role, even going as far as speaking in a so-called Japanese-English accent. Clive Revill, after many many years of playing the role of Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, gives a marvellous and believable portrayal of the role here. The lovers and Katisha are all top-knoth, with Nanki-Poo as sweet and romantic as Yum-Yum, and Katisha fierry and commanding. As for the chorus, they are all supportive, and Alexander Faris's spirited musical direction is a treat as always. As with most of the other Brent-Walker G&S videos, the sound quality seems a little bit poor, but every word is still as crisp and clear as possible. The sets and costumes are all lush and sumptuous. Overall, this is a more traditionsal film compared to the 1987 English National Opera production, that I don't recommend very highly, that can hold its own with the best G&S films in the Brent-Walker series.

This is a wonderful performance of the Mikado--well choreographed and directed, very well acted and marvelously sung by a great cast--with the exception of Conrad who is merely passable. Even with his shortcomings, it is hard to imagine a better performance. Much preferable to the Eric Idle version.

Refer to the reviews that actually review instead of talking about their feelings, and my opinions are similar. The Opera World version of The Mikado is one of the picks of that series and infinitely better than any other version I've seen - and that would be just about all of them. We have excellent casting in most of the named parts except for William Conrad, whose elfin take on the part is cute but who manages to only barely hold on to the notes. But every time I watch, I catch another little nuance in facial expressions (watch for Peep Bo's sly little looks). And, best of all, the glorious voices of Nanki-Poo (John Stewart) and Yum Yum (Kate Flowers)! If I could find any thing else with Mr. Stewart's voice I'd snap it up in a heartbeat!

This is my third attempt to purchase a quality dvd of the mikado. The first attempt was from a stage performance which gave me decent voices and video quality, poor sets and what sounded like a chamber ensamble playing the music. With a score like that of the mikado, you need a great orchestra, which you get with this version. My second attempt was also from a stage version with a good orchestra, voices, sets and costumes. Unfortunately, video quality was terrible and you couldn't understand the words. This is good quality, good voices and sets, and a great orchestra.Wm. Conrad was good - remember - The Mikado has a small part.
If you are really demanding, this is probably not for you, but this is, in my estimation, enjoyable and the best I could find after purchasing what I could find.
P.S. both this and HMS Pinnafore are public television productions, have an interesting intro and intermission by Errol Flynn, and a full libreto.

Who would have believed that Cannon or the Fat Man could carry a tune, but William Conrad isn't too bad. He may never win a Grammy, but in this production of the Operetta, he does quite a decent job. Even if you are not a fan of Opera, Gilbert and Sullivan is still easy to enjoy because their storylines are not as depressing as regular operas. Also, the English dialogue makes the story much more accessible to a wider audience. I look forward to the release of Pirates of Penzance, Linda Ronstadts version, of course, so that I can have two very enjoyable muscials available any time I wish. The productions may not be Hollywood lavish, but they are effective and entertaining.

This 1982, BBC/PBS, made-for-TV production is somewhat dated. The technical aspects, including sound work would be done better today. It is easy to hear and to understand the play, but there is very little stereo effect, and today's 5.1 sound would make it even better.

One feature I appreciated was the included libretto, which follows the one from Bradley's book closely. There are no captions of any kind.

I was surprised to see Joseph Conrad cast as the Mikado; I didn't know he could sing. As it turns out, he will never be known for it, but he acquitted himself well in the few solos he had. John Stewart, as Nanki-Poo, was excellent, but the best singing was from the two female leads, Kate Flowers and Anne Collins, who played Yum-Yum and Katisha respectively.

In spite of the truly poor choreography and cheap-looking sets and costumes, this is the best production of The Mikado that I have seen to date, but I would very much like to see the complete play done by the actors from the movie, Topsy-Turvy (another recommended movie, but not for children). (It's at: Topsy-Turvy)

If you are inclined to be picky about your Gilbert & Sullivan, you may find this DVD to deliver less than you desire, but I am happy to enjoy the lighthearted show in a lighthearted manner and forgive the few flaws.

Recommended.

My roommate and I have seen the Mikado in person in January and the old Kenny Baker DVD in March, and we've seen The Mikado last year in person at the City Center, and many times in NYC and even the Hot Mikado in Pittsburgh. This DVD is worth buying for many good reasons. Some lyrics were heard for the very first time by us because we could hear the words and even read their lips on those wonderful close-ups. The sets and costumes were good and the direction was fine. CLIVE REVILL was kind of ugly and unsuited to the role as KOKO but we laughed anyway. His costume was the worst. The Lord High Executioner had a rich bass voice and THE CHORUS was the best we have ever heard!!!!!! Katisha was great! William Cannon as the Mikado does not have a good voice, but he put in a decent performance. The young leads were fine.
The City Center guys were a lot better as Pooh-bah and Koko, but their Wandering Minstrel is bald and homely and waaaay too old, so this DVD has given us a younger and cuter [and taller] HERO with a delightful voice. The film quality is great. Light years better than the old old Kenny Baker one which we also enjoyed because it was funnier. The chorus alone is worth your time, and it isn't expensive.
This version comes with a complete libretto which I had to pay a lot of money for separately elsewhere because I didn't know it came with the DVD.

If you want accurate renditions of the venerable Gilbert & Sullivan, try to find the D'Orly Carte Company's version. They are the original company that G&S started and tutored to perform their operettas.

The English are the ones who really do justice to Gilbert and Sullivan.The singers are all great.Some Isuspect are opera performers.The Lord High Executioner is quite a ham but he does much to make it enjoyable.Conrad does a decent job as the mikado....he can even sing.