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

[@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!

[@ginawiggles918]

Thank you for sharing. Katisha is one of my favorite G&S characters and your mum was the best I've seen. Glad to hear she is well.

[@PlanetBobstar]

She is legendary here

[@chriswright4252]

That’s high praise indeed, thank you.

[@PatrickHedgesArtist]

I finally got a car with a CD player and I was listening to your mum on my drive to work just today. Then I found this! What a treat!! I'm not surprised you are proud.

[@cg98243]

God bless her. What a wonderful performance.

[@chloescricuttutorials5992]

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

[@mrtactica]

Philip Potter -one of the best!

[@fritula6200]

Chloe..... what a honour !!!!

[@seanmaher3518]

Must be very proud

[@chriswright4252]

@@chloescricuttutorials5992 my mum played Katisha…….they were good friends!

[@bruceweaver1518]

I heard many of his tenor roles on London Records. He had a beautiful voice.

[@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!

[@shiannamariestentt]

It's my favorite one because it's in English. I actually know what they're saying.

[@generaldingus344]

I like the master collection the BBC put out the best. London sympathy orchestra and opera singers from the Sydney opera house

[@bridgetyoung4936]

The opera itself is considerably older. 1885 first performance

[@fritula6200]

AGREE !!

[@c.v.yardley]

@@generaldingus344 I rather like the idea of a London Sympathy Orchestra 😉

[@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.

[@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!!! 😍

[@katelinnett9020]

I was lucky enough to see John Reed and The D'Oyly Carte production of "HMS Pinafore" in Boston when I was a small child, back in the mid-60s. That started my life-long love of Gilbert & Sullivan...I'll always be grateful to my Auntie Susan & Uncle Jimmy for that amazing experience!

[@dougr.2398]

I knew the Martyn Greene version from the 1940s which was excepted on 45 RPM records.

[@hughcards]

Agree. I saw the very same production on stage (with the very same actors) when I was a wee boy. Plus I had the record and new it all by heart. Splendid all round.

[@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.

[@goatfokerkadyrov7528]

lame

[@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!!

[@helenaconstantine]

You poor thing

[@dovasvariakojis6934]

@@helenaconstantine What is that supposed to mean?

[@helenaconstantine]

@@dovasvariakojis6934 The suffering occasioned by the epistemic confusion necessary to think this is better than Don Giovanni or Siegfried must be terrible.

[@mjmcrae1168]

Yes! It's my favorite too. The music and a few of the complete numbers were used in the movie "Foul Play," with Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. I loved this music before I even knew who Gilbert and Sullivan were.

[@webz3589]

@@helenaconstantine this is certainly more fun than those bloated things. I'd rather sit through a performance of this over the ring cycle. But i generaly can't stand opera.

[@etherealtb6021]

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

[@samhooper]

Hear, hear!

[@patriciane3551]

O agree, Ive had a lovely night watching much of early G&S after finding some old 'Ive had since about 1969 but watching has been a real treat

[@notninelivesbrian8471]

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

[@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.

[@johnangelico667]

Surely you didn't see the original D'Oyly Carte production when Gilbert & Sullivan were at their peak? :-)

[@tedwoe]

How have I never seen this masterpiece?!? Wow! I've been missing out on the good things in life!

[@26001993]

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

[@happyarcadia]

Glad you enjoyed it Albert.

[@andrewrayment536]

Yes, the immortal John Reed!

[@th2184_cma_.]

@@happyarcadia how did you manage to download this so you can upload it?

[@HannibalFan52]

@@andrewrayment536 John Reed is one of the few actors who can emote well with his back to the audience. His little head-shake in the dialog sequence leading up to 'Here's a How-de-Do' is a perfect example. Martyn Green also had that facility.

[@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.

[@janmcdonald698]

forgive my musical ignorance but this was such a treat for me to see Phillip Potter here. He was such a wonderful childhood memory for me as i grew up in the kingsbridge inn , at Totnes devon, where my father worked as a barman. i remember watching him sing at the end of the bar from time to time ,such a funny kind man. thanks uploader ,means a lot.

[@happyarcadia]

Thank you for sharing that anecdote. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@whyis_hehere6638]

That's so Interesting. When I first got into g&s I listened to a recording of pirates of Penzance with Phillip potter is Frederic. He was my introduction to shmultsy g&s tenor songs. That's so Interesting you got to hear him live

[@chloescricuttutorials5992]

Hi Jan, I’m one of Philip & Gill’s granddaughters (Susannah is my mum if you remember her from the pub) Just wanted to say thank you for your comment. It’s lovely to see grandads kindness and well as his talent hasn’t been forgotten ❤️

[@janmcdonald698]

@@chloescricuttutorials5992 Hello Chloe, Wow! You're Susannah's kid? Remember her? Couldn't forget her!..and the amount of trouble we'd get in! Think most of my childhood memories have your mum in there somewhere! Trying to avoid the ghost on the back stairs,your uncle Nick, chasing us through the pub with his guitar. lovely Caroline always trying to keep the peace. Gill always looking like a movie Star. God,so many memories coming back right now! I do hope she's well? Ahh, you're Grandad was a truly beautiful soul. I know my dad loved him very much. We all did ❤️

[@bighuge1060]

Thank you for posting this. The Mikado was my late father's sole venture into theater and I have loved this operetta since because of this.

[@roderickwright3199]

This is simply superb. The trio at 44 mins, for example, it's acting, timing, synchronization and musicality is simply The BEST. Our thanks for making this available

[@Afalstein]

"Here's a Pretty How-De-Do" Honestly I'm just watching John Reed's footwork in the background.

[@hellbooks3024]

It’s hard not to look at him, no matter what else is going on.

[@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

[@Altinget]

Don't Japan have a long tradition for exaturated makup and costumes in theater.

[@valerieirving9338]

My Dad played and of course sang the part of Nanki Poo back in the 1930s . He didn't tell me about until we produced the Mikado at school in the 1960s. I'm not a singer but created the visual stuff, costumes and settings. I will always love it.

[@EMomp]

This is my ALL TIME favorite of G&S!! I have loved this music since 1959😊. Whoever posted; many, many thanks ❤

[@ruthshortland5864]

While I really enjoyed this performance, I must admit "The Pirates of Penzance" is my favourite- especially the Kevin Kline and Angela Landsbury one.

[@Wisepati]

Thank you. My mom loved this. She is gone but I feel close to her watching this.

[@richardherbert9320]

My absolute favourite G&S! Loved by all true Brits and myself! Thank you for this video!

[@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.

[@faw3511]

Thank you forever for uploading this. Valerie Masterson and John Reed are superb.

[@chriswright4252]

John Reed was my mum’s best friend at the time and God father to my brother. My mum was in this production as Katisha - aka Christene Palmer.

[@carriescarbrough9869]

What a joy! In 1949, as a child, I saw my aunt’s high school do Mikado and have loved it ever since.

[@patriciane3551]

Ifirst saw a high school production inManchester of The Mikado in 1961 been an ardent fan since seeing productions in Sydney, Newcastle and of course London when on trips home -Heaven

[@ER1CNOIR]

How was the Last Supper, by the way? I heard Big J was in rare form that night - cuttin up turning ALL the water to wine!

[@naomiperreira1809]

Thank you for sharing one the greatest live performing ensembles ever in Music History. The Mikado is my personal preference out of all the Gilbert and Sullivan works. And, thankfully, to PBS TV stations here in the United States, I've been able to see it and other great Gilbert and Sullivan operas performed by various groups worldwide, and having a famous actor perform 1 of the main characters in The Mikado. For example, I saw Broderick Crawford on a PBS Station, play the part of the Mikado. He was surprisingly quite good. I had only knew of him when I was just a little girl, and he played a tough Captain or Chief in the very popular TV series Highway Patrol. I loved his tremendous deep voice. And, I was very fortunate to have been able to see them perform The Mikado in Long Beach, California in June of 1978, with my now deceased first husband. He had played one of the 3 Little Girls in The Mikado while he was attending an all male private boarding school in Northern India, while he was growing up.

[@karenwalz70]

OMG. I saw this on my B&W TV in the 1970s, and since the days of online searches, have been looking for it ever since. Whenever The Mikado was shown on TV afterward, it was never this version, which is the absolute best of all the filmed performances. I love all the major roles, and especially John Reed, who really brings the comic element as no one else. But the Mikado and Katisha, all of them, were first-rate. The direction, timing, sets, and costumes are all excellent. I'm so thrilled to finallly find this again!

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Thanks for posting! I saw D'oyly Carte with these 3 lead men, and the exact same sets, when they came to NYC in the 70's. It was a fantastic experience. The awful 1939 film was given a Criterion Edition DVD, and I got it as a gift, but I can't stand it. This is sublime.

[@epsteinisms1483]

Please let me add my appreciation to all the others. Can't thank you enough for this. Great job cleaning up the sound and picture. Also, great job on your other videos with the synced stereo sound. I can't imagine how you did it! In 1976 I had the pleasure of seeing D'Oyly Carte perform this in NY. During the "Here's A How-De-Do" trio Ko-Ko discovered something hanging out of a pocket. He started tugging on it, and, Houdini like, it just kept spilling out. Eventually the others on stage helped unfurl it, aided by stage hands from the wings, until they got it all untangled and showed it to the audience. What was it? The American flag!! Again, this was in 1976, our bicentennial year. And here was this British company giving their little salute and tribute to our independence. Can you imagine the audience reaction? We were all on our feet cheering for what seemed hours. Easily the greatest moment I ever had in the theater.

[@happyarcadia]

Glad you like the videos and thank you for sharing the anecdote.

[@rickcummins7347]

This is the definitive version, best I've ever seen. Everything (scenery, costumes) is so well done not to mention great cast. Well worth your time to watch the greatest musical comedy of all time so well executed.

[@vking8084]

There is a version better than this search mikado act 1 it is funny and great music

[@grahamdalbymusic]

This is a superlative exhausting performance, it doesn't get much better than this.

[@goatfokerkadyrov7528]

Or gayer

[@louisecozier8581]

It was so good to see it with the proper costumes!!!! A really good production.

[@davidwalker8955]

Thank you for Uploading this version of the Mikado which I have never seen before . Really Enjoyed this during Lock down here in NZ currently.

[@johnbartash8473]

What a wonderful treat, This will make this tough weekend. bearable .Please note you have made this man so very happy. I have watched most, if not, all the G & S on U tube. There is no question this is on the top of all performances and you made this possible Thankyou thank you.

[@happyarcadia]

Thank you John. Also check out my other videos where I am synching footage from this film with superior sounding studio recordings.

[@neilforsyth2638]

A welcome improvement on the DVD. Correcting the pitch also does justice to the tone of the voices (particularly the higher voices) and reminds us how good they were.

[@happyarcadia]

Thanks Neil

[@shirleyanne6573]

@@happyarcadia You did a really good job. Thanks so much!

[@ingridself6076]

oh this is wonderful! I had no idea it was on KZbin, it takes me back to my childhood, I saw this production in the 50s & 60s in Birmingham, England with all those familiar faces/names. Perfect, thank you so much - I have adored John Reed all my life, I hope he had a good and happy life

[@britdude4508]

Me too ! I was born in Brum in 1944 and was watching with my G&S obsessed mother in the 60’s and late 50’s

[@barbarawillis5187]

The movie is excellent. Great performers, production design, and costumes. Thank you for improving the technical issues on the dvd. I feel like singing.🙂

[@Dazzily]

It is probably 55+ years since I saw D'Oyly Carte do their "fortnight" at The Alexandra in Birmingam. Me Mom dad and then wife. A marvellous time. This film brings in all back. The "stars", my parents, and some tears. This was magnificent, everybody, but Christine Palmer, Valerie Masterton, Donald Adams particularly. and my all time favourite Kenneth Sandford. "Chop it off KoKo, chop it off"! MAGNIFICENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@britdude4508]

I was there at the same time !!! I’m a Brummie and watched everything at the “Alic” as we called it in Brum.

[@Nina5144]

Mom? Birmingham USA? G&S are popular all over the world aren’t they? Great production

[@georget1717]

My parents lived in Okinawa in the mid sixties and I remember my dad had a great British cast recording. I wish I had it. Brings me back. Thanks for sharing this is wonderful.

[@misterdavid9903]

I have watched the Eric Idle version many times but I think you need to watch an authentic Mikado to fully appreciate it.

[@kendalson7100]

Great costumes and cinematography. Great KoKo and PoohBah.

[@johnpetley-jones9563]

Thank you for this labour of love. Much improved presentation of the traditional classic production.

[@LOVECATO1]

My brother in the late 1960’s took me to Carnegie Hall to see the Mikado by the D’Oyly Carte

[@rar446]

In the 1960s, that D'Oyly Carte production may have been at City Center, where they had performed for many years.

[@BrianCarter-k8g]

Wonderful production with a stellar cast. I have seen this performed on several occasions with the same principals. Gillian Knight as Katisha was a hard act to follow but Christine Palmer was excellent. A golden age. My Mother and father were G&S devotees and I was introduced to live performances at the age of 8 and have been one myself ever since. DVDs are great for posterity but it is difficult to replicate a live performance unless a stage version is filmed. The encores are so much part of the tradition. The Pinafore filming of a live performance did capture it quite well with the incomparable John Reed and "Ring the Merry Bells on Board Ship".

[@GeldardtheGrey]

Gillian Knight was, in my mind, the definitive Katisha. There was a BBC Radio2 production in 1987 which I can find absolutely nowhere. I've even tried to contact the BBC itself but the production is not available. It was outstanding. Classic cast. Richard Van Allan, Valerie Masterson, Forbes Robinson, Gillian Knight.

[@BrianCarter-k8g]

I am not aware of the Radio 2 production but I agree about Gillian Knight. She was wonderful in all her roles.

[@brionneeley5660]

this is delightful. I love the Mikado's performance. I've watched several versions of The Mikado and always marvel at how different actors approach the role of the Mikado.

[@markbeck8384]

I saw this production, and it was so great. Wonderful casting and decor. This is my favorite G&S Operetta.

[@liamvnbw]

Thank you very much for uploading this, and for adjusting the speed! It’s been an immense pleasure to watch!

[@patriciane3551]

I first saw this in installments at The Royal Opera House Manchester in this year . I was not long in the Police Force and it was one of the 'perks' that you took a break from pounding a beat by checking various restaurant kitchens, pubs and entertainment places. Standing quietly at the back of the theatre watching this was some of my best memorie

[@PeterBrownPianist]

Hi Patricia, Well fancy that! You probably heard me as part of the orchestra at the Opera House. I was a student cellist at the old Royal Manchester College of Music and played the D,Oyley Carte seasons in 1966/7and loved it....small world!

[@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.

[@JoeLux-bp6kt]

In 1966 I saw this live production in NYC. The start of my love for G&S.❤

[@GoodnessoGracious]

It's brilliant of you to have made that adjustment; thank you.

[@Baueresque]

What we need right now thank you

[@tizzsy6056]

I saw this production at the Savoy Theatre in London ... four times.

[@lindasapol9038]

When did you see it at the Savoy? I’d like to see it next time I’m in London. Thanks.

[@tizzsy6056]

@@lindasapol9038 In 1969

[@francescoevangelista1448]

Lucky

[@execelsior999]

Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful production.

[@margondine]

Thank you so much. I knew the recording, but had not seen it.

[@moimeself1088]

Funny, eveybody's memory is of seeing a professional production. My sole memory is of our high school production when i was 11/12. I still remember most of the songs, even if not all the lyrucs. Would love to see a professional production.

[@BobDinners1771]

Thanks Allen.

[@philiphaley5414]

I've been in G&S since 1973 and tonight (16.2 24) have just come home from presenting The Story of Gilbert & Sullivan to the Halifax G&S Society in West Yorkshire, UK.

[@kennethwayne6857]

Wish I had been there. From what I remember, the film was a wonderful opportunity to see Martyn Green do what he did best.

[@hlnbee]

I saw this on stage when I was 8 yo. 70 years ago!!!!

[@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.

[@WildwoodClaire1]

Lovely to rediscover this old gem after many decades. Watch in combo with the movie "Topsy-Turvy"!

[@critter7052]

Great job, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Thanks for posting.

[@brendahenderson3418]

The Mikado by the D'Oyly Carte was the first opera I ever saw when I was about twelve around 1958? This performance was at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon. All I remember is that Nanky Poo had a lovely voice but was distinctly silver-haired! Nevertheless it hooked me on opera for life. A few years later I was in the chorus for our school production.

[@andrewdarley8988]

Absolutely classic performance with particularly brilliant acting by Ko-Ko and Poo-Bah and great singing.

[@philiphaley5414]

Donald Adams is The Mikado. I have sung with him, back in the 1970's and early 80's.

[@ahay241]

Brilliant production from so many years ago. D’Oyly Carte at their zenith.

[@richardalfredpalmer9660]

That was absolutely amazing opera performance 🎭 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@paulgarland3140]

Thank you so much for this absolutely fabulous!!!

[@anthonydavis5779]

shame the last verse of Wandering Minstrel was cut (a song of the sea..) Philip Potter's singing superb.

[@hemeljohn1]

Valerie Masterson's is magnificent as Yum-Yum! "The Sun's Whose Rays Are All Ablaze" is the definitive performance!

[@keikekaze]

I agree. The whole production is near perfection, and every one of the performers is extremely good, but Ms. Masterson in "The Sun Whose Rays . . ." is, well, celestial!

[@thetoiletinspector6878]

Just read that Thomas Lawlor (Pish Tush) passed away towards the end of 2020. RIP.

[@virginiafry9854]

I saw this cast live in Birmingham, UK, 1975

[@songsmith31a]

Handsomely mounted, impeccably performed - a joy from the start, albeit I noticed the absence of Nanki-Poo's verse about "And if you call for a song of the sea..." What would Gilbert have said?! This was the greatest G&S success in their marvellous sequence of word and music magic -. so much that continues to stand the test of time with successive generations relishing the sheer. brilliance of the creative forces that produced such consistent excellence. Was there ever any composer who could match Sullivan's wonderful range of melodious inspiration?

[@rogerbarton497]

Brilliant - D'Oyle Carte are the masters. The scary thing for me was that Pooh-Bah resembled an ex-girlfriend, she wasn't as well built, but her voice was deeper. Donald Adams is the most frightening Mikado I've seen.

[@MrMjp58]

Brilliantly. I’ve been waiting for this for years.

[@alistaircox3867]

I used to travel to The Angel, Islington every month to see see John Reed and his fellow cast members in all of the G& S performances. What wonderful shows they were. It is so lovely to have discovered this excellent version of ‘The Mikado’ . Thank you for posting it.

[@mikeevans9014]

Ah! The London season! .My wife worked for the Company in the London office at the Savoy so we had the privilege of free tickets whether at Sadlers Wells or the Savoy. A visit to the Wells always included a meal. at The Ballerina cafe close bye. Probably long gone now but happy memories particularly of the Last Night performances which were always huge fun. I remember one when Hinge and Bracket performed and another when a Royal Marine Band led by Royston Nash who later became the Conductor came on in "Pinafore".

[@johnpickford4222]

This performance is available on the Kulture DVD label. I bought it first on VHS and then on DVD experiencing the problems which you corrected here. I wish Kulture had taken the care that you did. This is a gem and wish this could be the basis for a restored version. When companies wonder why studio opera recordings or filmed performances like this don’t sell, it is simply because of the inferior product which they manufacture and sell.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

Ah, the great John Reed in his prime. Such a pity only 2 of his recordings ever made it into DVD format.

[@SarahB1863]

And also the great Kenneth Sanford as Pooh-Bah. What a voice!

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

@@SarahB1863 "MERCY EVEN FOR POOH-BAAAAH!" XD

[@melenatorr]

@@Th0ughtf0rce I love the byplay with him and Pitti Sing.

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

I’m assuming the other one is the animated _Ruddigore_ ? That one’s a classic. :) At least I’m assuming that made it to DVD, since the version up on KZbin is in DVD quality.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

@@ARCtheCartoonMaster ah. I totally forgot about the Ruddigore cartoon. I actually meant HMS Pinafore.

[@BernardVictor]

What a pity that there do not appear to be any other live D'Oyly Carte productions.

[@stevenmathers6661]

Hms pinafore is the only other complete one.

[@missm8067]

My favorite part is 21:25 where John Reed sings I’ve Got A Little List 😂

[@StephenSE9]

Mine too. Thanks for putting down the time code.

[@missm8067]

@@StephenSE9You betcha! 😊

[@StephenSE9]

@@missm8067 🫶

[@elizabethrandall519]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@thetoiletinspector6878]

Thanks for uploading this. I'm a bit of a Thomas Lawlor fan.

[@kennethwayne6857]

So am I!! I've learned he's still alive and living in Rhode Island, and at least until recently was still directing G&S. Sadly, his ex-wife Pauline Wales (Peep-Bo in this performance) has recently passed.

[@thetoiletinspector6878]

@@kennethwayne6857 Just read that Thomas Lawlor passed in October 2020.

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@thetoiletinspector6878 Very sorry to hear that. With him goes the last of the men of the old D'Oyly Carte as far as I know. Some from the '80's may still be with us. (Well, the classic D'Oyly Carte.)

[@VgnRaj]

Richard McMillan was the quintessential Pooh-bah played less than 20 years later in Stratford. What comedic gravitas he had. Seeing him live as Scar in Lion King and in his one-man play "Through The Eyes", he showed skill and grace I have yet to see matched.

[@gavrinmahaffey3656]

Absolutely brilliant!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@internetfairy1]

Outstanding! All the more for me as it was my great grandfather Michael Gunn with Richard D'Oyly Carte who help finance Gilbert and Sullivan. Michael Gunn owned and ran The Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, then the Savoy Theatre in London he and others formed a syndicate and with the proceeds of The Mikado at the Savoy, they proceeded to have The Savoy Hotel built.

[@fritula6200]

The BRILLIANCE OF THE ENGLISH & GILBERT & SULLIVAN : THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR THE HONOUR OF WATCHING AND LISTENING TO WHAT THEY CREATED FOR HUMANITY:

[@andrewferguson5653]

A great improvement from the DVD!

[@davidleavitt835]

Thanks for this. 43:53 my favourite trio. Lovely!

[@magdahearne497]

Brilliant! I haven't seen that since I was a kid, thanks for sharing 🌸💖🌸

[@shiannamariestentt]

I haven’t seen this in I don’t even know how long. My birthday is coming up on Sunday and you don’t even know what this means to me to find this again two days before my birthday. I’ll be 18.

[@gailliescodd1043]

My step father had just joined the D.C. when this was filmed. He is one of the Mikados guards. He went on to become principle bass for a very short time. I had the great pleasure of watching him as the Pirate King, but never as the Mikado himself. This is my very favourite operetta. As a child I sat on lots of these lovely ladies knees. I could not understand the Christine Palmer had any other name than Katisha. She was quite lovely about being called it by me.

[@ttintagel]

No mtter how many times I hear it, the joke about "my suit was hopeless" always catches me off guard. Made me snort ginger ale out my nose tonight.

[@mjmcrae1168]

Of course, if I'm the type of fan who came to this operetta from the movie "Foul Play," I'm also one who came to love the opera "Carmen" because of the movie "Bad News Bears."

[@LannyChambers]

Very nice, indeed. I have the 1958 vinyl with Tom Round and Jean Hindmarsh, who are my favorite leads, but of course without John Reed, who absolutely defines "comic baritone." A few other G&S opera recordings feature all three stars. The Opera Australia Mikado is not to be missed as well--it's bloody hilarious, and snarkily anachronistic with the "little list" being read from an iPad!

[@johnpickford4222]

The recording that you mention was the one that I grew up on and it included both Kenneth Sanford as Pooh-Bah and Donald Adams as the Mikado conducted by Isidor Godfrey but more importantly, Ann Drummond-Grant as Katisha and Peter Pratt’s Ko-Ko. Drummond-Grant died of cancer shortly after this was recorded and Pratt left the company so only Mikado and Pirates of Penzance in the late ‘50’s were recorded by them (with Sanford as the Sergeant of Police in the latter.). EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT recordings. Get them or live with regret. John Teed is nice, but PETER PRATT was the real thing. Funnier, sarcastic, sad, better tone and delivery. Enjoy them or be boiled in oil!!

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

I have that same recording on CD, and... yeah, I find Peter Pratt is a bit of a miscast for Ko-Ko. His voice is a bit too shaky, and sounding like he's trying too hard to emulate his predecessor, the wickedly talented Martyn Green. For me, John Reed *is* Ko-Ko - he's right there, in the role, though I at least respect that Pratt walked so that Reed could run, so to speak. With that said, that also goes both ways, and I find that Pratt was the perfect King Gama in _Princess Ida_ , whereas Reed was a bit of a tryhard in that role. Reed's Gama was a bit too obnoxious and Gilbert Gottfried-esque, whereas Pratt manages to pull off the cantankerous old geezer like it's second nature (nowadays known as a "boomer", after the generation that's currently like that).

[@marshallrudolph]

What a delight! I have listened to the London audio recording for years and never thought I'd actually get to see some of those performers in a filmed D'Oyly Carte production, such as John Reed, Kenneth Sandiford, Valerie Masterson, and Pauline Wales. (The entire cast was wonderful.) I watched it while following along in my annotated libretto (highly recommended to catch all of the clever humor). It was interesting to see where they cut a few of the longer and slower songs short, presumably to reduce the overall runtime (fine with me). Thank you so much for posting this. I will watch it again and again. Do you know if there are similar films of any other D'Oyly Carte productions?

[@byrdistheword1697]

I wish I had librettos for every Gilbert and Sullivan production! I have found one or two old D'oyly Carte recordings on here- this one is a great production of the HMS Pinafore kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGfMf3qmp8irfKssi=tqGjkcziV7-uiRmv There is also a channel that has uploaded quite a few audio recordings from the older productions, though it doesn't have video unfortunately. This one is the first act of Pirates of Penzance! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnKblZyonLiEp8ksi=jWcHr_vdDCrTgTSu

[@fannishmarcia]

What a gift this is! Thank you!

[@mrs.g.9816]

I heard of, but never watched, Gilbert & Sullivan light operas until recently. I watched HMS Pinafore and loved it, and I've just watched The Mikado, and love this one, too. I watched this one on my smart TV with sound bar and woofer, so I really enjoyed the music, colors, facial expressions, gestures, and all the characters. But unfortunately, I couldn't make the captioning come on for any of the KZbin videos I watch on the smart TV. I'm slightly deaf, so I had trouble hearing some words. I'll try to get printed-out librettos so I can follow along more closely. I really liked the anatopism (British speech, mannerisms and musical styles in a far-east setting).

[@Yakkymania]

exactly the same for me, except i had never really heard of them either. I discovered them from The Simpsons and found myself watching both this and HMS Pinafore as they’re both referenced in the episode Cape Feare

[@cs-ht9cv]

Screw political correctness! This is a classic!

[@tinman11201]

Thank you for doing this!

[@faw3511]

Did the same company film H.M.S. Pinafore and Pirates of Penzance?

[@harunrathore]

There is a production of HMS Pinafore made in 1973, but I think it has never been put on DVD. I happen to own the video. It was with John Reed (Sir Joseph Porter), Michael Rayner (Capt. Corcoran), Malcolm Williams (Ralph Rackstraw), John Ayldon (DIck Deadeye), Jon Ellison (Boatswain), John Broad (Carpenter), Pamela Field (Josephine), Pauline Wales (Cousin Hebe) and Lyndsie Holland (Little Buttercup).

[@harunrathore]

A year before The Mikado, on Boxing Day 1965, the BBC showed a production of Patience, which was recorded on 13 December in front of an invited audience. Most singers are the same as in the video of the Mikado.

[@ferreter38]

Patience was recorded at Sadlers Wells theatre - when John Reed came out of the stage door after the show he could barely speak as he'd lost his voice.