Opera Scotland

Mikado 1986New Sadler's Wells Opera

Read more about the opera Mikado

In 1968 the Sadler's Wells Opera Company moved to the much larger Coliseum, in the centre of London's theatreland. For a few years this resulted in confusion when audiences were sometimes, it seems, unsure as to whether their destination was that company in the West End, or a visiting group at their old home in Rosebery Avenue. In 1974 this difficulty was solved when the company was renamed English National Opera.

In 1983, a new enterprise was established with its base at Sadler's Wells, and with a remit to perform operetta. This New Sadler's Wells Opera toured nationally for a few seasons starting in 1986, with Aberdeen as the sole Scottish venue for the next three years (The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and Bitter Sweet). Several of its excellent productions were recorded.

This staging of The Mikado was one of a group of Sullivan works, the most enterprising of which was perhaps a revival of Ruddigore. The designs were attractive, based on the theme of Japanese teacups and saucers, and the general level of performance was high. Several singers had excellent operatic experience, and in John Ayldon there was a veteran survivor from the original D'Oyly Carte company. The overall strength of the ensemblr could be seen when, for at least one performance, an excellent substitute Katisha was drawn from the ranks of the chorus.