The Mikado (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

William Schwenck Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Thrift Editions | Publication Date: September 18, 1992

A lighthearted burlesque of Japanese culture and the vagaries of love, and one of the most widely-admired of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. The sparkling lyrics and witty dialogue of this comic masterpiece are as much a delight to read as they are to hear. Complete libretto with 9 charming illustrations by W. S. Gilbert.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 18, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486272680
• ISBN-13: 978-0486272689
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stratford gives a fun-filled and energetic MIKADO, June 30, 2003

By 

Hazen B Markoe (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival (DVD)

While some Gilbert & Sullivan devotees may quibble with this Canadian version of their masterpiece, THE MIKADO, there's no denying this version's infectious energy and fun. This production by the Stratford Festival is awash with high-jinks antics, solid acting and a boldness rarely seen since the Kevin Kline/Linda Ronstadt version of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Director Brian Macdonald directs this production with a sure hand and a fine sense of humor. Eric Donkin makes for a solid and delightfully uptight Ko-Ko, while the tall and very lanky Richard McMillan steals the show as the self important Pooh-Bah. Marie Baron's Yum-Yum is a pure delight, and Karen Wood is a delightful Pitti-Sing. Gidon Saks makes for a rather hammy, but delightfully fierce, Mikado. Henry Ingram seems a little old for the youthful Nanki-Poo, but he definitely gets into the spirit of this wonderfully broad production. Some fans may not appreciate the "modern" Canadian references nor the very slight liberties in the score, but this is probably the one production that doesn't treat the immortal work like a museum piece. This is definitely the best version on DVD to date and one that I would definitely recommend.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only Mikado on video worth watching!, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado (Stratford Festival) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the version done at the Stratford Festival in the late 80s with Eric Donkin and Marie Baron. The staging is very sparse, but quite well done. This new version is not as high quality as the earlier (more expensive) version, but well worth the $17. Purists beware -- some of the songs have been gutted and the lyrics have been changed!

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining!, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado (Stratford Festival) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

My wife and I really enjoy G&S - not aficionados, just fans. The Stratford Festival's version of "The Mikado" was wonderful. While we are relatively new to the works of G&S, this production was by far the best we've seen. The Canadian "flare" in "They'll None of 'Em Be Missed" brought back many, many fond memories of the times we've spent in Canada and of our first exposure to "The Mikado" in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Stratford's cast will live forever in their lively and thoroughly entertaining "Mikado." We look forward to many more enjoyable evenings listening to and watching the banter between Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah. Thanks to Stratford (and AMAZON.COM) we're anxiously awaiting delivery of "The Pirates of Penzance" and "Iolanthe." G&S lives! Tom & Carol Weber Chesterfield, MO, USA