Welcome to the 1995 production of The Mikado

Synopsis

Act One. Nanki-poo, the Mikado's son, in disguise as a wondering minstrel, is anxious to find Yum-Yum, one of Ko-Ko's wards whom he has met on his travels and with whom he has fallen in love. Having heard that her guardian has been condemned to death for flirting, he has hurried to Titipu to claim her as his bride. However, Ko-Ko has been reprieved and promoted to the post of lord high executioner. The great officers of state have resigned in protest and Pooh-Bah has taken over their duties - and salaries.
Yum-Yum and her sisters arrive home from school. Her greeting to Ko-Ko is lukewarm but she thrills at the sight of Nanki-Poo. Left alone with her true love she confesses that she does not love Ko-Ko but difficulties of protocol would prevent her from marrying a poor minstrel. Nanki-Poo then reveals his true identity and explains how he fled the court to escape marrying the elderly Katisha.
The Mikado, having noted that no execution has taken place in Titipu for a whole year decrees that an execution must take place within a month. Nanki-Poo shall marry Yum-Yum immediately but be executed at the end of the month and Yum-Yum will marry Ko-Ko. The celebrations which follow prevent Katisha, who has arrived in search of Nanki-Poo, fron revealing his identity.

Act Two. Yum-Yum's happiness is clouded by K0-K0's discovery of the alarming fact that when a married man is beheaded, his wife is buried alive. Nanki-Poo resigns himself to immediate execution - without a wedding - but Ko-Ko squeamishly shrinks from his duty. He then suggests that an affidavit, witnessed by the mercenary Pooh-Bah, stating that the execution has taken place will solve the problem. Ko-Ko sends the young lovers off to be married.
The Mikado on his arrival is shown a certificate of execution, and Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah all give their account of the execution. Katisha is horrified to discover that the heir to the throne has been beheaded.
The Mikado enlarges on the penalties for such an offence, and Ko-Ko decides that Nanki-Poo must 'come to life again'. However. Nanki-Poo fears Katisha's revenge and suggests that he will only agree to do so if Ko-Ko first married Katisha. This he does after seemingly ardent wooing.
The Mikado returns to oversee the executions but Katisha pleads for their lives. Nanki-Poo reveals himself and Ko-Ko evades punishment for the deception by pointing out that if the Mikado orders an execution the victim's death can be assumed; the victim is as good as dead and, if he is dead, why not say so? The Mikado appears convinced by this argument and all ends happily.