The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Little List

[@loqutor]

♪And the purists who cannot perform this opera with a twist, I've got them on my list, and they'll none of them be missed~

[@Scotdod24]

🎼that snowflake G&S fan who cries "it not very tradition-olist, I've got him on the list, I've got him on the list"

[@turipetru5354]

to be honest, i would like to hear the original lyrics, at least once.

[@CUSTERM16A2]

The culture vandals who put their modernist drivel into the Mikado are going on the list instead.

[@minui8758]

@@turipetru5354you can. They’re in the libretto and I think the 1982 production where Clive Revill sings Ko Ko has original lyrics. And honestly not as funny. This one was made for evolution

[@luciusfluff]

It's general practice to change the words to make this song relevant to current issues.

[@joyhancock2703]

I just do not like it. I have found the original words to Little List so will just have to sing to myself.

[@pewdsthrowaway1303]

@@joyhancock2703 this disgusting purist, they never will be missed!

[@PaulfromChicago]

​@@joyhancock2703 Thanks, Joy.

[@agin1519]

@@joyhancock2703Indeed when the bibbly became available in English, instead of Greek or Latin, there was an outcry because if it wasn’t indecipherable babble which made no sense to the audience then it wasn’t real religion, was it?

[@mylittledogshoppesouthpark1350]

I love how Simon B manipulates/ rolls up the list. Just a little thing but adds to a delightful but cheeky performance. Well done!

[@ben-9123]

This is one of my favourite performances of this song.

[@twistoftime]

In response to MrCuddlyable3.... There is a long tradition of making this song more topical, a process that was both started and encouraged by G & S. Many of their productions were openly critical of the English government, and they often took shots at specific individuals. "When I was a lad" was directed at a specific lord of the admiralty, and "Modern Major General" was similarly targeted at one person...and everyone in the audience knew exactly who. In later productions of the Mikado, they themselves altered the lyrics to this song to include people specific to the new times. I understand that you may find that "inauthentic"...but, in fact, it was encouraged by the authors.

[@MrCuddlyable3]

I have learned that Gilbert did indeed write an entirely different "little list" lyric adapted to the interests of children, in the book "The Story of the Mikado" 1921. But having read of Gilbert's strict control of every aspect of staging or "theatre business" (well impersonated by Jim Broadbent in the movie "Topsy Turvy") I think it out of character for Gilbert to encourage anyone to extemporise on his lyrics. But if you believe in doing that, you sanction losing Gilbert's delightfully dated glimpses of late Victorian petty prejudices, such as "that singular anomaly the lady novelist". With respect, your counterexamples don't change my opinion. Nobody wants to rewrite Sir Joseph's "When I was a lad" in Pinafore. Experts debate whether model Major-General Stanley in Pirates is a caricature of popular general Sir Garnet Wolsey or of General Henry Turner whom Gilbert disliked, but I sincerely hope you don't encourage anyone changing that particularly perfect patter within a performance of Pirates.

[@TchaikovskyFDR]

@@MrCuddlyable3 well he's dead now so.

[@joyhancock2703]

@@MrCuddlyable3 I still wanted to hear someone sing "the idiot who praises with enthusiastic tone...." because I have heard people like that.

[@MrCuddlyable3]

This is what William Gilbert wrote: As some day it may happen that a victim must be found, I've got a little list - I've got a little list Of society offenders who might well be underground, And who never would be missed - who never would be missed! There's the pestilential nuisances who write for autographs - All people who have flabby hands and irritating laughs - All children who are up in dates, and floor you with 'em flat - All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like that - And all third persons who on spoiling tête-á-têtes insist - They'd none of 'em be missed - they'd none of 'em be missed! There's the banjo serenader, and the others of his race, And the piano-organist - I've got him on the list! And the people who eat peppermint and puff it in your face, They never would be missed - they never would be missed! Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, All centuries but this, and every country but his own; And the lady from the provinces, who dresses like a guy, And who "doesn't think she dances, but would rather like to try"; And that singular anomaly, the lady novelist - I don't think she'd be missed - I'm sure she'd not he missed! And that Nisi Prius nuisance, who just now is rather rife, The Judicial humorist - I've got him on the list! All funny fellows, comic men, and clowns of private life - They'd none of 'em be missed - they'd none of 'em be missed. And apologetic statesmen of a compromising kind, Such as - What d'ye call him - Thing'em-bob, and likewise - Never-mind, And 'St- 'st- 'st- and What's-his-name, and also You-know-who - The task of filling up the blanks I'd rather leave to you. But it really doesn't matter whom you put upon the list, For they'd none of 'em be missed - they'd none of 'em be missed!

[@maximilianpound1700]

@@MrCuddlyable3 you make your point redundant when the lyrics you provide aren’t even the original lyrics

[@jonathantitterton9455]

I do enjoy watching Simon Butteriss perform. As soon as you see his name next to the role of Ko-Ko you KNOW you're in for a treat and an up-to-date little list.

[@johnespino5135]

Bravo! I'm sure Gilbert would approve.

[@OfirBeck]

OMG I pray to the lord that Jim Parsons would one day play this ROLE!!

[@AlexRoseGames]

I've just watched every version of this song on youtube and this is by far the best. Great production

[@theboyracer1013]

Nah the family guy one is better

[@Longma1]

Nah the Joshscorcher version is best! 😜

[@karenriches54]

I like the update! I am sure in 2020, new, and more poignant lyrics could be found. Ref to those who are Still going out! 😉

[@brianrodney5202]

Surely one of the best lists ever !

[@sagahammer]

Best version of this I have seen yet.

[@snuck9604]

I like this kind of comedy, it can adapt to many social condition in different timeline. great job for Gilbert and Sullivan

[@vinylmisfit2165]

Haha, this version is great! I LOVE Opera Australia's The Mikado, but this one seems pretty wonderful too :)

[@pipersson39]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful performance by Simon Butteriss. I have seen time twice: once giving a hysterical but totally different rendition of "I've got a little list" at the Lowry, Salford, two or three years earier than this, and the other as Bunthorne in Patience. A great G&S performer. :)

[@ketmaniac]

Gilbert himself started the tradition of re-writing the "list", by making it more topical in later productions. Also, since he was being topical in the first place, he was breaking out of the strict story, which effectively gives his successors licence to do the same. But, obviously, they should restrict their updatings to this number, and not do it anywhere else. Also, it isn't a good idea to be too topical in recordings, since your jokes will be out of date in a few years.

[@JimRyanUX]

That's right. Riffing on Gilbert's words has been going on since the beginning. The line "chop it off, Koko," in the second act was originally an ad-lib by Rutland Barrington, the first Pooh-bah.

[@Mousy677]

Jim Ryan as was nanki-poo's "modified rapture"

[@clemrumley9691]

great sound quality

[@royalfan180]

Brilliant

[@lesNo1cook]

Why oh why can we not see these wonderful opera"s on the TV instead of all the rubbish they put on. It would be wonderful if they would televise one every Saturday night.

[@lesNo1cook]

I agree with you and more so now we are in lockdown

[@JamesVlogsHomeBeyond]

He reminds me so much of Christopher Biggins.

[@luciusfluff]

I've performed in several productions and have seen many more. The lyrics are sometimes left as is, but in most that I have seen the words are altered. After all, the point IS comedy (as well as, of course, musical and theatrical skill) and people will not necessarily understand or relate to the references made in some of the songs. Changing the words is very common to the point of being traditional, especially with several of the patter songs. No need to be rude. :3

[@tauro30041976]

THIS OPERA IS SIMILAR OF MADAME BUTTERFLY BY GIACOMO PUCCINI SIMILAR IN THE ENVIROMENT IN JAPAN., GRETTINGS FROM MEXICO

[@trab49]

What'd he say about Tom Daley? I keep repeating that bit but can't work out what the words are

[@trab49]

***** thank you!

[@Planefan1000]

"Tom Daley in his speedoes beats a month of HRT"

[@MLaak86]

Normally I don't go for contemporary adaptation of period piece things like G&S or Shakespeare but this is down right hysterical!

[@loqutor]

Arthur Gilbert would disagree with you on that. He regularly ordered George Grosmith to change the lyrics to this song based on current events.

[@MrCuddlyable3]

@@loqutor Are you confusing Arthur Gilbert with William Schwenck Sullivan (sarcasm) ?

[@fritzw.5057]

What are the lyrics of that version?

[@jaso8390]

these comments are from such a long time ago

[@ProfessorDavidson]

All people who mean George Grossmith and say Charles instead; I've got 'em on my list.

[@Crusader-Ramos45]

Anyone into this song because of Family Guy’s Stewie?

[@6B8RX]

The other way around, but that's a good one too.

[@jonathantitterton9455]

Yes you're correct, people back then weren't very PC :p

[@agin1519]

Wait till they read Chaucer or Shakespeare!

[@VeryEvilGM]

Family Guy says hi.

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Ha ha lol!😀😄😆😅

[@seanwmcinnes]

Has the lyrics been recorded somewhere this?

[@tugboatmedic]

I see mister pryor

[@davidlucey1311]

The old lady who fancies Tom Daly in. Speedo? Sister, you are really barking up the wrong tree!

[@seaotter4439]

There's the guy who watched Family Guy back in 1999, And won't admit the damn thing has passed well beyond its prime. And the Southern sympathizer who is still quite very sore About a war that didn't last, how many years was it? Oh, four. There's the incel who's so blackpilled he's turned into a misogynist, And that singular anomaly, the anti-feminist. They never would be missed, they never would be missed.

[@mistertea603]

Good job, love it

[@joshuawaring4180]

I’m surprised this was allowed.

[@stevenmathers6661]

Why?

[@kingmasn2166]

As someday it may happen that a victim must be found I've got a little list, I've got a little list Of society offenders who might well be underground And who never would be missed, who never would be missed There's the white kid with the baggy clothes who's talking like he's black The girl you date who doesn't get the jokes in “Caddyshack” The Asian guy who cuts in front of every single line And Britney Spears for accidentally showing her vagine And Bill O'Reilly's ineffective dermatologist They'd none of them be missed, they'd none of them be missed Secret Service Men: He's got them on the list He's got them on the list And they'd none of them be missed They'd none of them be missed Stewie: There's the guy behind the news reporter waving like a fool And Senator Bill Frist, I've got him on the list And the fat kid smiling warmly while he's peeing in the pool He never would be missed, he never would be missed There's the foul-smelling boy who comes to school in camouflage And every bleeding member of the cast of “Entourage” And while we're on the subject, HBO deserves a whack For ending The Sopranos with a fucking cut to black! And guys who when you shake their hand just bump you with their fist I don't think they'd be missed. I'm sure they'd not be missed Secret Service Men: He's got them on the list He's got them on the list And they'd none of them be missed They'd none of them be missed Stewie: There's the guy who sits beside you and keeps farting on the plane And Shakira's lyricist. I've got him on the list And the smarty on Thanksgiving who says, "It's the trip-toe-fane!" (tryptophan) He never would be missed, he never would be missed There's the blonde who tells you loudly with a voice just like a knife [falsetto] "You know, someone should do a sitcom based around my life!" [normal voice] The guy who watched "The Simpsons" back in 1994 And won't admit the damn thing isn't funny anymore Stewie and Secret Service Men: And anyone And every one... Who's ever... Made me pissed! Secret Service Men: Made me pissed! Made me really really pissed! Stewie: I've got them on the list They'd none of them be missed Secret Service Men: They'd be none, they'd be... They'd be none, they'd be none of them be missed Secret Service Men: He's got them on the list He's got them on the list And they'd none of them be missed... Stewie: They'd none Secret Service Men: None of them... Of... None of them... Them... None of them Stewie & Secret Service Men: Be... Missed! Basso Profundo Secret Service Man: None of them be missed!

[@AlphynNK]

And that fine tradition of updating G&S's pieces survived till the days of Mass Effect 2. /watch?v=PhN-o54BSQ0

[@MrCuddlyable3]

There are venues enough for stand-up comedians like Butteriss, but those who pay to see The Mikado deserve to hear Gilbert properly. Ko-ko's views are clear about "All funny fellows, comic men, and clowns of private life - They'd none of 'em be missed".

[@MagW50]

Can you ask John and Sharon about the reference to the Prime Minister? It's driving us crazy. This is a Brit crowd and they obviously knew and loved it.. "Left his daughter in a pub"? M. P.S. Loved the Pope reference. Knocks gay marriage, then goes to work in drag?

[@AlexRoseGames]

6 years late to this, but it was talking about David Cameron who had a gaff when he tried to look "in touch with the common people" by claiming he likes to eat pasties (which is already robotic and ridiculous), but it turned out the company he claimed he ate at had closed down 5 years prior. He and his wife accidentally left their 8 year old daughter in a pub after they went drinking.

[@jamesconnolly5164]

And bloviating morons with their petulant crusades, Who attacking this production with their misguided tirades, Forgetting historicity our actors would insist, that they must be on this list! And may none of 'em be missed!

[@keaton718]

This proves you can't put on Mikado with a recorded orchestra, unless you have someone press pause on the CD player every time the audience laughs.

[@blackukulele]

How to be cancelled in the 19c.

[@luciusfluff]

Then you are rather missing the point.

[@MrCuddlyable3]

Credit where credit is due: this is Sullivan's music but almost none of Gilbert's words.

[@6B8RX]

I hope that some brave opera company has enough guts to do the Mikado again soon. The SJWs would picket them for "cultural appropriation" or some such garbage, but those are precisely the types of people who should be on Ko-Ko's list.

[@sedekiman]

@Why so serious?What about Madame Butterfly?

[@bruceyang2494]

David Cameron was the worst UK prime minister......EVER!!!!! Then Boris, then Thatcher, then May!

[@Chuck0856]

The pope who opposes gay marriage and goes to work in drag" Seriousl;y? Last time I watch one of these videos.

[@TheMikadoOfLondon]

What do you mean by "one of these"? Gilbert & Sullivan? The List song?

[@fractuss]

By-ee.

[@raymondhamill270]

Charles Schwartz I've got you on the list, I'm sure you'll not be missed

[@vesteel]

devout Christian here, I laughed at that joke. Oh hey, i'm in hell now.

[@raymondhamill270]

@@vesteel well at least it's warm all year round down here

[@MrCuddlyable3]

I agree to remain polite. I respect any performer who tackles a G&S role. However I find that attempts to make Gilbert's lyrics somehow "more funny" flop and thereby mar the artwork as a whole. In evidence are hundreds of authentic productions that outweigh the sparsity of revamped "List" song versions that anyone has found worth performing again. One can garner cheap laughs using just Sullivan's tune and rhythm, with some splendid examples here in KZbin. But they don't belong in a "Mikado".

[@MrCuddlyable3]

Narcissus what qualifies you to declare that rewriting Gilbert's lyrics is "general practice" ? Perhaps you don't know that they have been cherished AS IS for over a century by generations of people for whom you don't speak, and by whom you never would be missed.

[@doobiesmoke15]

this is racialism