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THE MIKADO or The Town of Titipu By W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur
Sullivan SYNOPSIS ACT I – Courtyard of
Ko-Ko’s Official Residence The
nobles in the town of Titipu are joined by Nanki-Poo, who is looking for Yum-Yum
disguised as a second trombone. However on learning that Ko-Ko, ‘a
cheap tailor’, was condemned to death for flirting, the minstrel has
hurried back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately he now finds out that far
from being dead, Ko-Ko has in fact been let out on bail, and appointed Lord
High Executioner. There is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major
office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married
that very day. Yum-Yum
and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, are introduced to Pooh-Bah. When
Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo finally meet alone, he reveals that he is the son of
the Mikado and she admits she does not love her guardian. The two lovers
realise however that their cause is hopeless. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a
letter from the Mikado threatening to abolish the post of Lord High
Executioner and reduce Titipu to the rank of a village unless a beheading
takes place within a month. He must now find a volunteer. On seeing Nanki-Poo
about to terminate his life, Ko-Ko points out that suicide is a capital
offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the
condition that he can marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life
before he is beheaded. Ko-Ko reluctantly agrees. Amidst the celebrations, in
storms Katisha, who is looking for Nanki-Poo, and threatens to reveal his
true identity. Yum-Yum and her friends spoil her attempts. ACT Il – Ko-Ko’s
Garden Act two
opens with Yum-Yum being prepared for her wedding. But soon the awful fact is
out that under the Mikado’s law the widow of a beheaded man must be
buried alive. This places the couple in an unenviable position. To make
matters worse, the Mikado and his suite are approaching the town and will
arrive in ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit
of Nanki-Poo’s execution. The
Mikado arrives with Katisha. When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution
The Mikado realizes that they have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!
Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to
his father, thereby absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo refuses and
unless Ko-Ko agrees to marry the old hag himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave
on their honeymoon at once. Ko-Ko woos her with a pack of flattering lies and
a sad, lovelorn song. Katisha
adds her powerful pleas to the Mikado for everyone to be pardoned. The
Mikado, a bit bewildered by it all nonetheless pronounces that ‘Nothing
could possibly be more satisfactory!’ |
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