Humorous romp with a twist to hit Littlehampton stage

Littlehampton Players Operatic Society will be staging Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic romp at the Windmill Entertainment Centre, with curtains for the première raising on Wednesday (October 16).

The opera, which is normally set in the Land of the Rising Sun, promises to be as big and bold as ever, with a full cast from the players on board.

The production, this year directed by Veronica Cringle, with musical direction by Daniel Paine, promises to be a humorous romp – but with a special twist of location.

In the topsy-turvy spirit of Gilbert and Sullivan, the society has relocated the opera to the dazzling world of a 1920s London, with only brief nods to the Japanese aspect.

The setting may well be different, but the witty dialogue and sparkling music that has been long-loved by theatre goers, from across the globe, for more than a century will still remain.

Expect the same old naughty Japanese schoolgirls, completing their education at a top-class London school, with pompous noblemen in hot pursuit, alongside bewildered hotel staff, and an autocratic monarch.

This year’s production will see Chris Blanchard-Cooper, playing the role of the Mikado, the ruler of Japan, while David Martin and Simon Smith will transform into the outlandish Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah, respectively.

Richard Howell will perform as noble lord Pish-Tush, while Richard Cooper will play the son of the Mikado, Nanki-Poo.

Gudrun Lehmann-Shanks is Yum-Yum, ward of Ko-Ko with fellow ward Pitti-Sing (Lou Salmon) and Peep-Bo (Meg Attrill) joining the fray, too.

Sue Knight will be performing as Katisha, lady of Mikado’s court, with Jimmy Lynch playing the hotel doorman.

The performances will run from Wednesday, until Saturday, October 19, with all shows starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £12, or £10 on Wednesday, can be booked on the players’ box office number, at 01903 721860.