The Mikado
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The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was first produced in March 1885, in London, where it ran at the Savoy Theatre for 672 performances. It remains the most frequently performed Savoy Opera, and it is especially popular with amateur school productions.
Image:The Mikado Three Little Maids.jpg
It should be noted that the culture and government of Japan as portrayed in The Mikado are based on Victorian notions of the subject, and are further altered by the satirical tone of the work. Indeed, Victorian England is the target of Gilbert's satire, thinly disguised as a strange and distant land. (The song "Miya sama", however, is an actual Japanese song which Sullivan appropriated for the operetta. The same melody was also adapted by Giacomo Puccini for his opera Madama Butterfly.)
It is also worth noting that many of the names in the play are unpronounceable in standard Japanese – but perfectly understandable as English "baby-talk". The headsman is named Ko-Ko; one pretty young thing is named Pitti-Sing; and the heroine is named Yum-Yum. The pompous officials are Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush; and our hero, Nanki-Poo (which might be baby-talk for "handkerchief") is fleeing from the awful Katisha.
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Origins of the work
Gilbert and Sullivan were considered to be in a bit of a slump at the time they wrote The Mikado. Their previous opera, Princess Ida, had run for nine months – a short duration by their own standards. For the first time in their partnership, there was no new opera ready when it closed. A revised version of The Sorcerer, coupled with Trial by Jury, played at the Savoy while they prepared their next work.
On March 22, 1884, Richard D'Oyly Carte gave Gilbert and Sullivan contractual notice that a new opera would be required in six months' time. Gilbert initially proposed a story about a magic lozenge, which Sullivan found uncongenial to his musical temperament, and too similar to their previous operas. It was not until May 8, 1884 that Gilbert dropped the idea, and agreed to provide a libretto without any supernatural elements. It would take another ten months for the opera that was to become The Mikado to reach the stage.
Cellier and Bridgeman (1914) first recorded the familiar story of how Gilbert found his inspiration:
- Gilbert, having determined to leave his own country alone for a while, sought elsewhere for a subject suitable to his peculiar humour. A trifling accident inspired him with an idea. One day an old Japanese sword which, for years, had been hanging on the wall of his study, fell from its place. This incident directed his attention to Japan. Just at that time a comapny of Japanese had arrived in England and set up a little village of their own in Knightsbridge. (Cellier and Bridgeman 1914, p. 186).
The story is an appealing one, but it is entirely fictional. Gilbert was interviewed twice about his inspiration for The Mikado. In both interviews the sword was mentioned, and in one of them he said it was the inspiration for the opera, but Gilbert never said that the sword had fallen. Moreover, Cellier and Bridgeman are certainly incorrect about the Japanese exhibition in Knightsbridge, which did not open until January 10, 1885, almost two months after Gilbert had already completed Act I. (Jones 1985).
Jones notes that "the further removed in time the writer is from the incident, the more graphically it is recalled." (Jones 1985, p. 25). Leslie Baily, for instance, tells it this way:
- A day or so later Gilbert was striding up and down his library in the new house at Harrington Gardens, fuming at the impasse, when a huge Japanese sword decorating the wall fell with a clatter to the floor. Gilbert picked it up. His perambulations stopped. 'It suggested the broad idea,' as he said later. His journalistic mind, always quick to seize on topicalities, turned to a Japanese Exhibition which had recently been opened in the neighborhood. Gilbert had seen the little Japanese men and women from the Exhibition shuffling in their exotic robes through the streets of Knightsbridge. Now he sat at his writing desk and picked up the quill pen. He began making notes in his plot-book. (Baily, pp. 235–236).
The story was dramatized in more-or-less this form in the 1999 film, Topsy-Turvy.
Controversy
In the song "As someday it may happen", sung by Ko-Ko in Act I, the character goes through a "little list" of irritations with his society (hence Gilbert's), such as "the nigger serenader and the others of his race" (actually a reference to blackface minstrels who were white entertainers in makeup), "the lady novelist" (referring to a particular type of novelist earlier lampooned by George Eliot) [1], and "the lady from the provinces who dresses like a guy" (where guy refers to the dummy that is part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations, hence a tasteless woman who dresses like a scarecrow).
These lines can be taken by modern audiences to have racist/sexist/anti-feminist connotations (sentiments which the sardonic Gilbert would likely have confirmed, if asked), so the song is frequently re-written in modern productions, often taking an opportunity to satirise contemporary trends, political figures, and current events. And, as Ko-Ko himself notes in the play, "It really doesn't matter who you put upon the list, for they'd none of 'em be missed!"
The line about the minstrel is normally changed to the only slightly less obvious reference "banjo serenader". Also, the original Mikado's song ("A more humane Mikado") in Act II contained the words "blacked like a nigger" – words which are usually changed to "painted with vigour" in modern productions.
There are other sections that might also be altered, though they are often left as is because the reason for changing them is to keep the references relevant rather than to avoid potentially offensive lyrics. One is Pooh-Bah's list of titles, which must be kept largely the same due to future references, but may be added to with modern positions, such as "Secretary of Homeland Security". The other is the Mikado's list of punishments and crimes in "A more humane Mikado", which might be made to include modern infractions such as not turning one's cell phone off before entering a theater.
The Japanese themselves were ambivalent toward this operetta for many years, not knowing for certain if it was making fun of them (it wasn't) or of the English (it was). In recent years, however, some have apparently come to terms with The Mikado. The town of Chichibu, Japan has performed it, and some locals even believe that "Titipu" was Gilbert's code name for "Chichibu," although there is no evidence of this. [2]
Roles
- The Mikado of Japan (bass)
- Nanki-Poo, His Son, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and in love with Yum-Yum (tenor)
- Ko-Ko, The Lord High Executioner of Titipu (comic baritone)
- Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Else (baritone; see below)
- Pish-Tush, A Noble Lord (baritone or bass-baritone; see below)
- [Go-To (bass – see below)
- Yum-Yum (soprano), Pitti-Sing (mezzo-soprano), and Peep-Bo (soprano), Three Sisters, Wards of Ko-Ko
- Katisha, An Elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo (contralto)
- Chorus of School-Girls, Nobles, Guards, and Coolies
N. B. In rehearsal for the original production, Frederick Bovill, who played Pish-Tush, proved unable satisfactorily to sing the low notes in the Act Two quartette, "Brightly dawns our wedding day". (Pish-Tush's line ends on a bottom F.) An extra character, Go-To, was introduced solely for this scene. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company continued this practice. Elsewhere, Go-To was and is often removed, and Pish-Tush reinstated into the quartette, played by someone with a sufficient range (or the F transposed up an octave – it is written as such in the score presented by TLM, which claims to be copied from Sullivan's autograph score).
Pooh-Bah is also a rangy role. His solo work lies low, like a bass-baritone, but much of his ensemble work lies relatively high in the lyric-baritone range.
Setting
- Act I is set in the Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Official Residence.
- Act II is set in Ko-Ko's Garden.
Synopsis
Act I
Leading gentlemen of the Japanese town of Titipu gather for an impending celebration ("If you want to know who we are"). A wandering musician, Nanki-Poo, enters and introduces himself ("A wand'ring minstrel I"). He has come to search for the maiden Yum-Yum, with whom he has fallen in love. Alas, the officious official Pooh-Bah informs him that Yum-Yum is to marry her guardian Ko-Ko, a former tailor but now the Lord High Executioner of Titipu. Yum-Yum appears with two of her friends (sometimes referred to as her "sisters"), Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing ("Three little maids from school"). Nanki-Poo reveals his secret to Yum-Yum: he's actually the son and heir of the Mikado, ruler of Japan, but has fled the court due to the amorous advances of the Lady Katisha.
Ko-Ko arrives and introduces himself ("I've got a little list") and rejoices in his upcoming marriage. His enthusiasm is cut short by receiving news that the Mikado will soon be arriving for a visit; as Ko-Ko is behind on his quota of executions (never having performed any at all!), this means someone must be executed at once. The others look to Ko-Ko himself as the perfect subject ("I am so proud"). Ko-Ko discovers Nanki-Poo, in despair over losing Yum-Yum, is preparing to commit suicide. After realizing that he cannot change Nanki-Poo's mind, Ko-Ko makes a bargain with him: Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum for one month, if at the end of that time he allows himself to be executed. This happy arrangement is nearly spoiled by Katisha, who arrives and tries to claim Nanki-Poo ("Oh fool"). However, she makes such a bad impression on the people of Titipu that her words are drowned out by the shouting of the crowd ("For he's going to marry Yum-Yum"). But though all seems happily settled, Katisha makes it clear that she intends to return.
Act II
Yum-Yum is being prepared by her friends for her wedding ("Braid the raven hair"), after which she is left to muse on her own beauty ("The sun whose rays"). Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum share an affectionate scene, interrupted when Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah enter, and warn them of a twist in the law that requires the wife of an executed man to be buried alive ("Here's a how-de-do"). Nanki-Poo, threatened with the loss of his beloved, proposes to die on the spot, but when push comes to shove, Ko-Ko is a soft-hearted man who cannot harm even an insect. Ko-Ko instead sends him and Yum-Yum away, promising to send the Mikado news of a fictitious execution.
The Mikado and Katisha arrive for the promised visit ("A more humane Mikado"). Ko-Ko, aided by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, gives a graphic description of the supposed execution ("The criminal cried"), only to be stunned by the news that Nanki-Poo was in fact the Mikado's son! Facing a death sentence himself for executing the Heir Apparent, Ko-Ko pleads with Nanki-Poo to return. Nanki-Poo agrees – on the condition that Katisha is safely married off first... to Ko-Ko, of course.
Ko-Ko therefore discovers Katisha mourning her loss ("Alone, and yet alive"), and throws himself on her mercy. He begs her hand in marriage ("Tit-willow"). She agrees,("There is beauty in the bellow of the blast") and begs mercy for him and his "accomplices" from the Mikado. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum re-appear, to Katisha's impotent fury, and the inhabitants all celebrate the substitution of marriages for executions ("For he's gone and married Yum-Yum").
There are two ways of interpreting the ending for this story. Either Ko-Ko is assumed to receive the short end of the stick by having married the terrible Katisha, or else Katisha is not as bad as she seems and she and Ko-Ko are truly made for each other. Directors have interpreted this ending both ways with equal success.
Musical numbers
- Overture (Includes "Mi-ya Sa-ma", "The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze", "There is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast", "Braid the Raven Hair" and "With Aspect Stern and Gloomy Stride")
Act I
- 1. "If you want to know who we are" (Nanki-Poo and Men)
- 2. "A Wand'ring Minstrel I" (Nanki-Poo and Men)
- 3. "Our Great Mikado, virtuous man" (Pish-Tush and Men)
- 4. "Young man, despair" (Pooh-Bah, Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush)
- 4a. "And I have journeyed for a month" (Nanki-Poo and Pooh-Bah)
- 5. "Behold the Lord High Executioner" (Ko-Ko and Men)
- 5a. "As some day it may happen" (Ko-Ko and Men)
- 6. "Comes a train of little ladies" (Girls)
- 7. "Three little maids from school are we" (Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, and Girls)
- 8. "So please you, Sir, we much regret" (Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, and Girls)
- 9. "Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted" (Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo)
- 10. "I am so proud" (Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko and Pish-Tush)
- 11. "With aspect stern and gloomy stride" (Ensemble)
Act II
- 12. "Braid the raven hair" (Pitti-Sing and Girls)
- 13. "The sun whose rays are all ablaze" (Yum-Yum)
- 14. "Brightly dawns our wedding day" (Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush)
- 15. "Here's a how-de-do" (Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko)
- 16. "Mi-ya Sa-ma" (Mikado, Katisha, Girls and Men)
- 17. "A more humane Mikado" (Mikado, Girls and Men) (According to the 1999 film Topsy-Turvy, this song was nearly cut owing to its similarity to Act I's "As someday it may happen")
- 18. "The criminal cried as he dropped him down" (Ko-ko, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Girls and Men)
- 19. "See how the Fates their gifts allot" (Mikado, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko and Katisha)
- 20. "The flowers that bloom in the spring" (Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko, Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, and Pooh-Bah)
- 21. "Alone, and yet alive" (Katisha)
- 22. "Willow, tit-willow" (Ko-Ko)
- 23. "There is beauty in the bellow of the blast" (Katisha and Ko-Ko)
- 24. "For he's gone and married Yum-Yum" (Ensemble)
Pop culture references
- Allan Sherman did a parody of the "Tit-willow" song ("On a tree by a river"), in which the bird in question talks and sings with a stereotypical Jewish accent. Sherman is so impressed by the bird's singing that he takes him down from his branch, and home "to mein split-level ranch". His wife misinterprets the gift and fricassees the bird, whose last words are, "Oy! Willow! Tit-willow! Willow!"
- Sherman also did a variant on "I've Got a Little List", presenting reasons why one might want to seek psychiatric help, and titled "You Need an Analyst".
- Eureeka's Castle, a children's television show, did a parody of "I've Got a Little List" in a Christmas special, called "Just Put it on the List," wherein the twins describe what they'd like for Christmas.
- The name Pooh-Bah has come to stand for anyone with no real authority but who acts otherwise, as in the expression The Grand Pooh-Bah, first introduced in episodes of The Flintstones.
- Many well-known actors have at some time in their careers played the role of Ko-Ko. Groucho Marx, a life-long fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, starred in a made-for-TV production of The Mikado in 1960.
- Other well-known actors who have played the role of Ko-Ko are Eric Idle and Bill Oddie, with both appearing in the same English National Opera production of "The Mikado" (Bill Oddie took over the role of Ko-Ko after Eric Idle left the production).
- There are amateur performances of "Three Little Maids from School" in British comedy television series such as Keep it in the Family and Fresh Fields.
- In the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, Harold Abrahams first sees his future wife as one of the "Three Little Maids from School".
- The Mikado is reinterpreted in jazz style in the musical The Hot Mikado.
- The phrase "A short, sharp shock", heard in the Act 1 song "I am so proud" has entered the language, appearing in titles of books and songs (most notably in samples of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"), as well as political manifestoes.
- In the CSI episode "Suckers", a case is solved thanks to Grissom's remembering the song "Three little maids from school are we", and there are many references to The Mikado.
- In Frasier episode "Leapin' Lizards", workplace prankster Bulldog impersonates the voice of an esteemed friend of Niles Crane in a phone call to Frasier. After Frasier boasts that many have asked to see his "Yum-Yum", he is coaxed into going into his his best falsetto voice to perform 'Three Little Maids' from The Mikado live over the air.
- The Zodiac Killer murdered at least seven people in the San Francisco Bay area between 1966 and 1970. His letters to police and the media often quoted The Mikado.