May 2, 2012

The Mikado comes to White Rock's Coast Capital Playhouse

This looks like it’s going to be a great production … The Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society and producer Kate Bethell are pulling out all stops for the 30th anniversary production, The Mikado, which comes to White Rock’s Coast Capital Playhouse May 9 to 19.

There’s star quality aplenty in this version, directed by Dann Wilhelm, who played the role of ‘wandering minstrel’ Nanki-Poo in the society’s outstanding 2006 production.

First and foremost there’s tenor Mark Donnelly – renowned as ‘Mr. O Canada,’ anthem singer for Canucks games – who takes the title role as Mikado (ruler) of Japan in W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan’s witty, tuneful, and thoroughly ridiculous, 1885 operetta.

Cast in the plum comedy role of Ko-Ko, tailor turned Lord High Executioner, is James Walker, well known to both White Rock and Surrey audiences for his somewhat off-kilter sense of humour.

It’s going to be a very traditional-looking Mikado – kimonos and sliding paper doors – but will also be full of comedy with jokes stolen from such Monty Python and the Three Stooges!

Evening performances are Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. with a 2:30 matinee on May 13.

To reserve tickets, call 604-536-7535, or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca.