Arthur Gilbert

One of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s most often performed shows, we once again return to The Mikado for their final show of 2025. Featuring some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most well-known songs, The Mikado was set in Japan, both to play on the Japan-mania that permeated British society at the time, and as a way of stepping away from Britain, in order to satirise British society of the time.

A strong 18-piece orchestra under the leadership of Bayden Adams played superbly, and singing was very tuneful, though unusually for this company I had difficulty discerning lyrics from quite a few of the performers. Michael Cummins was strong as King Paramount, performing with vigour as he completes his performance cycle of all of the Gilbert and Sullivan complete operettas. Sade Stella-Joy was gorgeous as Princess Zara, returning from Girton College (not Curtin as the audience clearly misheard).