2004 Show - The Mikado

BasOp's 2004 show was Gilbert and Sullivan's well known Savoy Opera "The Mikado". Featuring a host of well-known songs including "Three Little Maids from School" and "Titwillow" (later to be sung by Sam the American Bald Eagle from the Muppets), the story is said to have been inspired the the fall of a Japanese ceremonial sword from the wall of W.S.Gilbert's study as seen in the the film "Topsy Turvy".

The story follows the the tale of a wandering minstral Nanky-Poo as he seeks to win the hand of the lovely Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum is unfortunately engaged to her guardian Ko-Ko, while Nanky-Poo is hiding from his "fiance" Katisha (an older women for whom he feels no attraction - think mature Cruella DeVille). In amongst this the mighty Mikado has decreed the someone must loose his head (the job of Ko-Ko) and all are busy trying to keep their own.

Other songs from the show include:
  • A wandering minstral I,
  • Behold the Lord High Executioner,
  • Braid the Raven Hair,
  • Here's a how-de-do! If I marry you,
  • The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring.
 Supported by
Awards for All,
Basildon District
Council and Basildon
Arts Association.
The show ran from May 26th to 29th at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon. The curtain opened at 7:30 pm each evening and at 2:30 pm for the Saturday matinee. Concessionary ticket pricing was available for children and senior citizens at some performances.

Alternatively tickets may be purchased online via Essex Theatre Ticketing.

Enter your email address below to be advised of information about seeing BasOp's future shows:
restore full BasOp site