Review: Sasha Regan’s All-Male THE MIKADO, Cambridge Arts Theatre - Tour

Photo credit: Mark Senior

Hot on the heels of Sasha Regan’s most recent smash hit, an all-male H.M.S Pinafore, she presents another triumph in an all-male production of The Mikado.

The classic show is staged in the English countryside with a lone tent on stage. The tent is cleverly used to get characters on and off stage unseen. It rotates and has opening sides, which makes it a useful piece of set, and is utilised well throughout.

Akin with the original, it is set in Titipu but in this revival, an all boys’ school camping trip endures the capers of the topsy-turvy land, with the son of the Mikado fleeing his fathers imperial court and falling in love with Miss Violet Plumb, played beautifully by Sam Kipling.

The first half feels a little slow at points, with the different setting and attempting to work out who each character is. However, it really hits the ground running in the second half and is, at times, side-splittingly funny.

Stand out performers are David McKechnie as Mr Cocoa who, not only has a wonderful singing voice, but owns the stage with his comic timing and facial expressions. Everything he does is with purpose and it is hard as an audience member to not be drawn into watching him throughout.

Richard Russell Edwards and Owen Clayton must also take plaudits for their parts as Hebe Flo and Bluebell Tring respectively. They have created a great on-stage relationship and once again, their comic timings especially in ‘Braid The Raven Hair’ is a delight for the audience.

The whole company really excels in their performance of the songs; all pitch perfect and engaging. What is wonderful is the live pianist sitting at audience level, which really adds a certain gravitas to the performance and giving the impression of a full orchestra.

What Regan has got right is the level of camp in the piece. With men playing the traditionally female roles, it has the opportunity to err into the remit of being over the top, however it is pitched just right as if a group of boys were really playing the parts themselves. This is cleverly displayed within the costumes, with everything they are wearing at the beginning being adapted.

For those who love the original Mikado and for those who have never seen the Mikado before, the piece is an innovative revival of a classic piece of theatre.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney

Sasha Regan’s All-Male The Mikado plays at Cambridge Arts Theatre until 29 July, with further information here.