Gilbert and Sullivan Returns to The Tabard Theatre

Keith Strachan to direct production of The Mikado set in post-war Britain

Cast members of The Mikado at The Tabard Theatre
Cast members of The Mikado at The Tabard Theatre

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April 1, 2025

The long tradition of Gilbert and Sullivan at The Tabard Theatre is to continue with an extended run of The Mikado.

This version of the operetta is being staged from Wednesday 23 April to Saturday 24 May and transports us to post-war Britain, where privilege, power, and pompous authority are rife, and a love-struck minstrel is on the run.

Military chief The Mikado has set out that executions are mandatory; but Lord High Executioner Ko-Ko avoids carrying them out. Enter Nanki-Poo, the Mikado’s son in disguise, desperate to marry Yum-Yum, who’s unfortunately betrothed to Ko-Ko.

When the Mikado demands an execution, Ko-Ko fakes one to save himself, roping in PoohBah, a pompous bureaucrat, and Pish-Tush, a clueless toff. Meanwhile, the formidable Katisha arrives, determined to reclaim Nanki-Poo as her rightful fiancé.

Mistaken identities, absurd laws, and comic deception abound - will there be a happy ending without a single execution?

Directed by Keith Strachan, with musical direction from Annemarie Lewis Thomas, this inhouse production forms part of the theatre’s 40th anniversary season.

The ten person cast offers a huge range of opera and musical theatre experience including Gerard Carey (Les Miserables, The Merry Widow, Half a Sixpence), David Freedman (Fiddler on the Roof, Aida, Jesus Christ Superstar) and John Griffiths (Oliver!, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), alongside a professional debut from Tilly Goodwin as Yum-Yum, who graduates from the Royal Academy of Music during the run.

Performances are from Tuesday to Friday at 7:30pm and 2pm and 6pm on Saturdays. They run for around two hours with an interval and ticket prices start from £18.

Before The Mikado is performed, A Ghost of a Chance, an award-winning play that was first performed in a pub theatre in Birmingham 27 years ago is being revived at The Tabard.

It is on for a limited three week run from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 19 April. The play is suitable for anyone aged over 14.

Tickets for the preview performance on 2 April cost £18 and then until 12 April the price is £23.50/£19.50 concessions and, following that £25.50/£21.50 concessions until the end of the run.

Coming Up at The Tabard

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

 

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