This posting continues the musical theme we have been discussing.xxxxx
Back in 1977 when some of our cohort were attending Lower 6 at St Joe, they were involved in one of the first musicals put up by the school - Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado". It was a great success. Check out these cuttings from The Sarawak Tribune in early September 1977 (safely preserved by KC).
The comedic opera, although first performed in London in 1885, remains one of G&S' best loved works. The story is about Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, who fled his father's imperial court to escape marriage with an elderly lady. Disguised as a traveling minstrel, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum in the town of Titipu. Yum-Yum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, Ko-Ko, a former tailor who escaped execution himself and had instead been appointed the Lord High Executioner by the Mikado. The hilarious show, filled with cute dances and catchy songs, is about how Nanki-Poo overcomes the odds and eventually gets the girl. Along the way, we meet the sisters of Yum-Yum, Petti-Sing and Peep-Bo, Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else), Katisha (the elderly lady, Nanki-Poo's betrothed) and others ...
In the next two photographs, you will see some of the cast in action. Who can you recognise? And can you guess which part they played?
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Perhaps some of the actors themselves will share more details about what went into the show and how the whole experience was like.
What talents ... what memories ...
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Posts
Easy to spot Old Panjang ! Which part is that? I guess either Nanki-Poo or Ko-Ko.
ReplyDeleteNo, he's YUM YUM ... LOL
ReplyDeleteC'mon theatrical stars ... please own up. Who was in the cast? I see Kevin and Wilson Chao.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone videotape the show? I know portable videocams weren't available back then, but maybe someone at St Joe Arts Dept had recording equipment? If so, maybe Web Jaga can put up some of it as a videoclip ?
ReplyDeleteVery good idea, Anon 6:18PM. Maybe should check with St Joe admin. Tho I very much doubt their filing is that good that they can find a tape (even if it exists) over 30 years old
ReplyDeletewho were the three sisters & did they perform "Three Little Maids from School are We"?
ReplyDelete*JL*
Memory not that good but Susie and Irene are in the photo so they must be two of the sisters. They performed a few numbers and I'm quite sure "Three Little Maids" was one of them. Yum-yum was played by a boy from Form 3 or 4 but can't remember his name. We all had fun doing it.
ReplyDeleteWilson Chao played Nanki-Poo. I think Kevin was Ko-Ko, Lord High Executioner.
ReplyDelete