The Mikado 2007: Plot Summary

The most popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and arguably the most popular opera ever written, "The Mikado" has delighted audiences for more than a century, and spawned a number of imitations.

NankiPoo, a wandering minstrel, approaches a group of noblemen in the town of Titipu in Japan and questions them about the whereabouts of YumYum, one of the wards of the cheap tailor, KoKo. He has fallen in love with her, but as she was engaged to KoKo he had left Titipu brokenhearted. However, he has heard that KoKo has been condemned to death for flirting, so he has returned to find YumYum. PishTush, a noble lord, tells him that KoKo has since been releasedfrom jail and raised to the position of Lord High Executioner. This is an attempt to thwart the Mikado's new flirtation laws, since KoKo cannot cut off anyone else's head until he has cut his own off.

PoohBah, the Lord High Everything else, tells NankiPoo that the wedding preparations have commenced. Shortly after KoKo's arrival, YumYum and her two sisters, PittiSing and PeepBo, return from school. YumYum is less than enthusiastic when she sees KoKo but overjoyed to meet NankiPoo again who confides to her that he is the son of the Mikado but that he cannot reveal himself because his father has ordered him to marry an elderly lady at court named Katisha. KoKo now receives a letter from the Mikado demanding an execution within a month. KoKo, PoohBah and PishTush decide that a victim must be found. Conveniently. NankiPoo, distressed at losing YumYum, has decided to hang himself. KoKo pleads with him to be executed instead and NankiPoo agrees on condition that he is allowed to marry YumYum for one month. KoKo accepts reluctantly. Katisha arrives and tries to expose NankiPoo as the Mikado's son. She is thwarted but leaves threatening revenge.

Act 2: The wedding preparations of NankiPoo and YumYum are marred by the reminder that, in a month, he is to die. But KoKo now brings worse news: According to the law if a man is executed, then his wife must be buried alive. The situation seems hopeless and NankiPoo threatens suicide there and then. KoKo fears the repercussions if an execution is not carried out but he is afraid to execute NankiPoo - never having performed such a deed before - so he decides on a new plan. YumYum and NankiPoo are tpo get married and go away quickly. KoKo will pretend that he has killed NankiPoo and fake an execution certificate. These arrangements are just completed when the Mikado and his court enter the town. KoKo lies to him and explains that an execution has taken place and, with PoohBah and PittiSing, he gives a graphic description of the macabre event. The Mikado is impressed but explains that he has arrived for an entirely different reason; he is searching for his son. When he rrealises that the man who has been executed waqs his son and heir, the Mikado explains that the punishment is death for killoing the heir to the throne and so the executions of KK, PB and PS must take place after lunch. There seems to be no answer to the problem until NankiPoo promises to come back to life once Katisha is engaged and cannot claim him. KoKo is forced to woo Katisha but much against his will. He is successful and this allows NankiPoo to reappear with his bride. Everyone is now satisfied except for KoKo who has to contend with the force of Katisha'a anger at his deception.