A new adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Mikado' aims to get us rocking with laughter this month

"We've had lots of requests to do more, so 'The Mikado', as one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan shows, seemed the obvious choice," says director Angela Daniel.

Those requests came from people who caught Daniel's last two G&S operettas, TheatreWorks and Bangkok Community Theatre's "Pirates of Penzance" (2007) and "Trial by Jury" (2008). This time out, great tunes like "Three Little Maids from School", "Tit Willow", "Here's a Howdy Do" and "A Wandering Minstrel I" have been souped up with a sprinkling of Elvis.

In the original operetta, Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado of Japan, has fled his father's imperial court to escape an arranged marriage. Disguised as a minstrel, he meet and falls in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward and bride-to-be of Ko-Ko, an executioner in the town of Titipu.

Thinly veiled

"Anyone expecting a traditional evening of G&S will be surprised by the changes," explains Daniel.

 "Gilbert and Sullivan set the operetta in ancient Japan, but that was only a thin disguise for the real target -- British Victorian society. And their humour is as funny today as it was over a hundred years ago."

"Our version is much more of a fantasy although we do give an affectionate nod to the diverse and fascinating Japanese culture of today — the businessmen of the Ginza, the leather-clad Rockabillies, the punk fashion of Hurajuku Station and Yoyogi Park as well as Anime and Manga characters."

 MINSTRELS AND YOU

>> "The Mikado" will be performed dinner-theatre style at the British Club at 7:30pm daily from January 23 to 31 (no show January 27; 2pm matinee only on January 25).

>> Tickets are Bt1,200 (three-course dinner buffet included) except for the January 25 matinee, which is Bt700 (no lunch).

 >> Call (089) 006 5259 or (081) 869 1104 for reservations.