Join The Savoy Company in our Gardens and experience the enduring joy of The Mikado—Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular work since its premiere in 1885.
The Savoy Company’s fresh, creative revisioning of this classic show, presented in partnership with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia and the Japanese American Citizens League Philadelphia Chapter, provides an opportunity for audiences to enjoy this masterwork of comedic and musical genius through the modern lens of the 1960s. By updating “traditional” makeup, costumes, staging, and portions of the libretto with aesthetics and terminology that reflects a more modern feel, this topsy-turvy production is sure to fill every heart with joy.
Before each performance, join us for a talk with the creative team for The Mikado in the Visitor Center Auditorium from 5:00 to 6:00 pm about how this classic comedic opera was reenvisioned for a modern audience.
On May 30, retired opera singer and co-founder of the Japanese Language School of Philadelphia Fumiyo Batta joins The Savoy Company’s Artistic Director Bill Kiesling and Music Director Peter Hilliard; on May 31, Japanese language instructor and leader of the Keystone Japanese Club Yuka Usami joins Kiesling and Hilliard, to discuss the group’s efforts to reinterpret the operetta in creative ways that both respect its original spirit and make it more relevant to today’s sensibilities. Registration for the talk is not required, however space is limited.
About The Mikado
Premiered in 1885, The Mikado is Gilbert and Sullivan’s ninth of their 14 collaborative works. In addition to enjoying the second-longest original run of any theatrical musical work prior to its opening, the piece remains one of the most popular in the canon due to its catchy lyricism and resplendent musicality. It is commonly parodied throughout popular culture and is one of the most frequently produced Gilbert and Sullivan shows internationally.
Conceived as a biting satire of Victorian British society and political institutions, The Mikado was set in a fictional interpretation of Japan—which, at the time that the piece was written, was a wholly foreign concept to its original audience, who had little if any awareness of Japanese societal structures. Through the utilization of this device, librettist Gilbert was able to poke fun at British politics more freely than he otherwise would have been able to do so if the piece had been set in a more familiar locale. The piece also beautifully represents composer Sullivan’s signature musical language through genre favorites of patter songs and deeply stirring arias and is richly adorned with nods to Asian musical motifs and instrumentation.
Stage Director Bill Kiesling has created a masterful comedy that sings under the outstanding baton of Peter Hilliard and a professional orchestra. Produced by William Kader, the show features a striking, professionally designed set and charming costumes.
Although accounts differ on the accuracy of this anecdote and its proliferation endures as a result of its dramatization in the semi-biographical film Topsy-Turvy, it is commonly reported that librettist Gilbert landed upon the idea of setting a satirical piece in Japan when a Japanese sword that hung on the wall of his study came crashing down.
Learn more about The Savoy Company’s partners for this production of The Mikado:
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia
Japanese American Citizens League Philadelphia Chapter
More About The Savoy Company
Founded in 1901, The Savoy Company is America's and the world’s oldest continuously performing theater company performing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. The show is fully staged and features a gorgeous, professionally designed set, beautiful hand-sewn costumes, and professional quality actors and singers backed by a professional orchestra. The Savoy Company’s unwavering commitment to preserving the authenticity and brilliance of these productions has cemented its reputation as the gold standard for Gilbert and Sullivan performances. The theatrical works of Gilbert and Sullivan remain extremely popular worldwide and are second only to the works of Shakespeare in the number of performances presented globally each year.
The Savoy performances at Longwood Gardens represent a cherished Philadelphia early summer tradition of magical performance under the stars with the fragrant scent of blossoming flowers in the air. The tradition dates back to 1916 when Savoy was first invited to perform on stage in the garden theater by Pierre S. du Pont who then called Longwood Gardens his home.