Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society

Events Diary

Did You Know?

This was our 47th production and the 6th time we've produced "The Mikado". The fact the this operetta was the very first G&S operetta that the Society performed is testament to its popularity.

• The Mikado remains the most frequently performed Savoy Opera. The work has been translated into numerous languages and is one of the most frequently played musical theatre pieces in history.
• It opened on 14 March 1885, in London, where it ran at the Savoy Theatre for 672 performances, which was the second longest run for any work of musical theatre and one of the longest runs of any theatre piece up to that time.
• From 1885 until the Company's closure in 1982, there was no year in which a D'Oyly Carte company (or several of them) was not presenting it.
• "The Mikado" has had several incarnations including "A Swing Mikado" in 1938 and "The Black Mikado" in 1975. It was also the first Savoy Opera to find its way onto celluloid in 1939.
• The programme reminded us of a performance of "Three Little Maids" performed by three naval officers on board the "Ark Royal" in the BBC TV documentary 'Sailor' in the 1970's.