Photo by Cal Cheng
Fans, fun and frolicking at fifty
McGill’s Savoy Society celebrates half-century with The Mikado
by Sarah Deshaies
@SarahDeshaies
Lurking beneath the colourful exterior of The Mikado is a sharp critique of Victorian-era English politics. By shrouding the story in far-away Japan, theatrical duo Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert got away with spoofing the establishment via pretty songs and corrupt stage mandarins.
How appropriate then to have their 9th musical collaboration reborn in 2014 Montreal - a city with endless potholes, socks stuffed with cash, crumbling bridges and crane operators who are paid 24/7 to do nothing.
The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, can be adapted into its present context no matter the level of local corruption or scandals, and the McGill Savoy Society is treading into lush territory with their 50th anniversary presentation of the piece. As such, references to the Charbonneau commission, “lady separatists” and senate scandals pepper the dialogue throughout.
