All-Male Cast Performed the English Operetta ‘The Mikado’
A kimono woman saw this classic show set in Japan. What was her verdict?
Did you know that 'Pocky', bar-shaped chocolate confections produced by the Japanese manufacturer Glico, is called 'Mikado' in the UK and some other countries? This name is inspired by the Mikado game popular in Europe, which uses long, thin sticks.
In Japanese, Mikado (帝) is an old name for the Emperor, so I was astonished when I first saw this package. Even now, I feel too nervous to buy it.
There is another famous thing in Europe called 'The Mikado'. It is an operetta that was produced in England in 1885. Because it was such a popular work then, 'Mikado' became widely known in the West as a word that symbolised Japan.
The Mikado is still performed in many countries today, but it often arouses controversy. For example, in 2015, an advertisement in New York featuring a white cast in strange kimono-style outfits and ridiculous makeup caused a huge uproar. As a result, the performance was cancelled. In the US, there have been many other incidents in which The Mikado show has been criticised as 'racist'.
So, how is the country that gave birth to the operetta dealing with the issue? In 2023, I saw the work of the famous British stage director Sasha Regan and was so impressed that I want to share it with you. By the way, the cast was all male.
It was already hot in June, so I went out in a casual cotton yukata.
For an early dinner, I bought two types of salad and pain au chocolat from a healthy fast food chain called 'Pure' in London. I enjoyed them with an iced latte on a bench in the square. The runny yolk was lovely.
Now, let's head to the venue, Wilton's Music Hall.
This is the entrance. As you can see, it is very old and it has been designated as a Grade II building.