The Mikado 1966 (Speed corrected) D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Gilbert & Sullivan

This is the film version of The Mikado shot in 1966 and released in theatres in 1967.
The versions of this film which have been released on DVD play slightly too fast resulting in a pitch which is a semi-tone too high.
I have adjusted the video to the correct speed by changing the frame rate from 25 frames per second to 24 frames per second.
This results in the correct pitch and tempo.
Visually the DVD version also seemed a bit 'squashed' to me so I have adjusted the picture aspect ratio to what looks more correct to my eye.
I've also tried to improve the muddy audio of the original.
Hopefully one day we will get a fully restored widescreen edition of this film with excellent colour and sound. Until then, enjoy this version.
The Mikado was filmed at the Golders Green Hippodrome on enlarged stage sets. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra was conducted by D'Oyly Carte's longstanding conductor, Isidore Godfrey. Set design and decoration were by Disley Jones and Peter Howitt. With one exception the costumes were by Charles Ricketts, first seen in D'Oyly Carte stage productions in 1926 and retained by subsequent D'Oyly Carte designers.
The cast:
John Reed as Ko-Ko
Kenneth Sandford as Pooh-Bah
Donald Adams as the Mikado
Valerie Masterson as Yum-Yum
Philip Potter as Nanki-Poo
Christene Palmer as Katisha
Peggy Ann Jones as Pitti-Sing
Thomas Lawlor as Pish-Tush
Pauline Wales as Peep-Bo
George Cook as Go-To

[@chriswright4252]

My MUM starred in this. Christene Palmer, as Katisha! I’m very proud of her and, yes mum is still alive at 89 years of age. A real golden era. It’s so surreal watching mum in action before I was born!

[@jongilchrist7229]

I'm surprised the 'woke culture' hasn't had this thrown off youtube. What they don't know won't hurt them. My favorite Gilbert & Sullivan.

[@chloescricuttutorials5992]

My Grandfather (Philip potter) plays Nanki-Poo in this film. Thank you so much for uploading its wonderful to see this again ❤️

[@cs-ht9cv]

Screw political correctness! This is a classic!

[@margaritab.2665]

This D'Oyly Carte production is the gold standard, it has to be one of, if not the best G&S operettas. Interesting this show is 55 years old, it's still as fresh and entertaining as ever, made me laugh out loud. I never tire of watching it!

[@connormclernon26]

They had a showing of this play for a Japanese Prince once, even though the British government worried that he might get offended. I recall reading he quite enjoyed it

[@icequeen917]

I JUST noticed that the eye-shadow combo that was put on Spock in the old Star Trek series is very, very reminiscent of how "Asian" people were portrayed back in the day. That whole short tilted black eyebrow with the grey shadow lid and white brow highlight.

[@rotherbirdo]

It's slightly ironic that Sullivan, having apparently witnessed the first demonstration of the recording wax cylinder, basically said of it that it was an amazing and horrifying invention, because so many great voices and performances would be preserved for posterity, but so would a vast amount of rubbish - and here is his (great) work transposed to the digital 'wax' cylinder of social media, still proving his point over a century later.

[@etherealtb6021]

Wow. 2 hours of Gilbert & Sullivan cures the COVID blues, at least for 2 hours!

[@chriswardlow9441]

Such cherished memory,s of all the opera's thanks to my late Mum & Dad .They held Gilbert & Sullivan record nights for anyone who wanted to come along and I still have the now well worn out vinyl L Ps Thank You for this great video.

[@robertthomson1587]

I sang in the men's chorus in our high school production in 1979. Even after all these years I can still sing the tenor line of the choruses.

[@Afalstein]

"Here's a Pretty How-De-Do"

[@notninelivesbrian8471]

An infinite clap to the hero who corrected the time-lag. A thousand thanks!

[@katelinnett9020]

This was my favorite record album as a child, and I know every word and note...and although I have since seen and heard many performances of this wonderful operetta, nothing comes close to THIS production! How wonderful, then, to FINALLY SEE this original version! Until now, I never knew a made-for-tv production even existed...how very wonderful!!! 😍

[@redmerlin777]

I too love this operetta. Dad was in the local amateur dramatics in Burnham-on Sea in the late 1940's . He was a fine tenor. As a child after the last war I was lucky enough to watch rehearsals and grew to love G& S. Sadly my voice wasn't wonderful or I am sure I would have plucked up enough courage to join at some time. Even now seventy years on I can still sing along . I was so pleased to find this. Chris Wright you must be so proud of your , Mum. She is very gifted. What a wonderful performance. This has brought back so many happy memories for me. Dad would have loved this.

[@tedwoe]

How have I never seen this masterpiece?!?

[@dovasvariakojis6934]

This is amazing. I could watch this over and over again. John Reed blew me away as Ko-Ko. Every song and every word was filled with passion from every character. The story was intriguing, easy to follow, and had so much magic throughout the entire opera. I will cherish this until the day I die. The Mikado will always remain as my favorite opera of all time. Thank you so much for bringing us this. Long live the work of Gilbert and Sullivan!!

[@26001993]

Absolutely fantastic. Cheered me up no end. What great performances from Reed and Masterson, the very best of all time.

[@karldelavigne8134]

Thank goodness this was preserved on film, as every D'Oyly Carte production was the gold standard. I also enjoy the idiosyncratic 1939 film with Martyn Green. The loss of this unbroken performing tradition was a great cultural tragedy.

[@robertpettengill2883]

What a treat! No question this is the gold standard, the benchmark. I saw this cast in Detroit in the 1950s. Most true to the original D'Oyly Cart conception. Thanks so much for your efforts.