The Mikado (DVD 2002)

This DVD is a "must have" for G&S fans, especially devotees of the old D'Oyly Carte company. The team of soloists assembled here is exceptionally strong and beats those on either of the stereo DC recordings (1957 and 1973).

Valerie Masterson is simply stunning as Yum-Yum and lights up every scene in which she appears. Donald Adams is scarily good as the Mikado, with that extraordinary laugh! Kenneth Sandford brings studied gravitas to Pooh-Bah and John Reed is very animated as Ko-Ko. His performance is somewhat 'precious', but it's good to see him in the role. There is not a soloist that is weak.

The work is given fairly complete - only an abrupt end to the Madrigal after the first verse and the loss of any encores of "Howdy-do" are noticeable. This DVD stands as a record of the standard stage 'business' of the D'Oyly Carte performances of the time.

The filmed performance has transferred tolerably well to DVD, but some work could be done on removing film dirt and grading the colours better. Sound is acceptable and mono. The limited extras include some pleasingly accurate and extensive biographies of the cast.