Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable, with a Canadian twist
Review: A different but very entertaining version of the Mikado, in which the cast takes a satiric view of the "state of things" at times but performs the numbers with great singing and performing talent and relish. The staging of the work is very sparse, but the performances of Nanki Poo, Pooh Bah (who towers over the rest of the cast), Yum Yum and most of all Koko (who essentially plays the clown but steals the show with his wonderful expressiveness and humanity) are rich. The Mikado is, even for the role, a bit over the top, but it does not detract. One interesting twist is some of the Canadian jokes and lyrics interspersed, especially in the List Song (yes, separatist does rhyme with list!). An added bonus is that on the big numbers the cast does a one or two verse encore immediately following the conclusion of the number, to the delight of the audience. A bit different but highly recommended and thoroughly entertaining start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable, with a Canadian twist
Review: A different but very entertaining version of the Mikado, in which the cast takes a satiric view of the "state of things" at times but performs the numbers with great singing and performing talent and relish. The staging of the work is very sparse, but the performances of Nanki Poo, Pooh Bah (who towers over the rest of the cast), Yum Yum and most of all Koko (who essentially plays the clown but steals the show with his wonderful expressiveness and humanity) are rich. The Mikado is, even for the role, a bit over the top, but it does not detract. One interesting twist is some of the Canadian jokes and lyrics interspersed, especially in the List Song (yes, separatist does rhyme with list!). An added bonus is that on the big numbers the cast does a one or two verse encore immediately following the conclusion of the number, to the delight of the audience. A bit different but highly recommended and thoroughly entertaining start to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent lively interpretation of the classic opera
Review: Die-hard G&S traditionalists: turn back now. This is not for you. Anyone else is in for a treat. This is the most energetic, upbeat production of the Mikado that I have ever seen. Especially outstanding is Richard McMillan as Pooh-Bah. The only major disappointment was Gidon Saks's Mikado (the character), who was played far too far over the top for my liking. Those familiar with the opera will notice a few updates/changes: "See how the fates..." is cut, and the Little List song is updated for a modern (Canadian) audience.
Rating:
Summary: If you're having trouble understanding farce...
Review: Get this one! I'm currently involved in a Mikado production and bought it to get some idea of what it was all about. As there aren't many choices out there, I settled for this one.What a scream! Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko and the Mikado were wonderful (with Pooh-Bah definitely a scene stealer). The ladies were terrific as well (though Pitti-Sing looks much like Betty Boop..) I'd seen Eric Tonkin (Nanki-Poo) in a video of The Magic Flute years ago, and hated him, but he's great here. The partial dubbing was a bit distracting. And, in contrary to a earlier ... reviewer, the list song IS here, though updated for the 90's with a Canadian twist. My daughters (American and 13 & 15) got all the jokes, even the separatist...
Rating: 
Summary: Affected mannerisms no substitute
Review: Having purchased this DVD version of The Mikado, based on the reviews given here, I have to write in that I was extremely disappointed. Expecting something along the line of the Kline/Ronstadt/Smith/Rose/Routledge stage performance of Penzance, I found myself instead watching repetitious affectations (Pooh-Bah , Katisha and the Mikado were the worst for this) that gave the impression that what I was really watching was a Shogun parody with singing. Comedic, yes. Funny, yes. Energetic and acrobatic? Mostly the tumblers changing the sets around. The singing was "stage" good, though I found it difficult to listen to the voices of Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum - very pretty but little depth. And Nanki-Poo really should have developed at least one aspect to his character other than "village idiot".
Rating:
Summary: Worth Buying
Review: I checked this out from the local library because I had seen Topsy-Turvy and was interested in the rest of The Mikado's story. I thought it was ok at first, but not great. Somehow, the second time I saw it, though, it was absolutely wonderful. I ended up buying it recently and was happily surprised with the price, given that most opera (I know, I know, this is an operetta) videos are [more]... Eric Donkin is wonderful and hilarious as the Lord High Executioner. He delivers the patter songs very well and when he and the other two main gentlemen (Poo-Bah and what's-his-name) get together for their songs, it's a moment worth seeing. Henry Ingram as Nanki-Poo has a pleasing voice quality and his songs fall very well on the ear. :) Then, of course, we come to Yum-Yum. Marie Baron has a great knack for comedy and a marvelous voice. Her duets and scenes with Nanki-Poo are some of my favorite parts of the show. You really look forward for her coming out on stage again. All together, it is a great show with a great cast. The only parts I don't like are with Katisha, but that's a matter of preference. She's not bad, I just find her parts boring. I highly recommend this video, though. Everyone buy it! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Ugly people doing G&S on double-speed
Review: I don't know if they were pressed for time or what, but every number is done at breakneck speed. Gilbert's great libretto and lyrics are all but lost in the auctioneer-style delivery of all but a few songs. The second main criticism is that every member of the cast is, well, unattractive and unpersonable, and in some cases a bit elderly. The pacing, direction and over-the-top characterizations are annoying to the point of ruining the material, for this viewer at any rate. The snippets of scenes in Mike Leigh's _Topsy Turvy_ are worlds above the level of this somewhat amateurish, slapstick, local dinner theatre quality version. If only he had produced a companion version of the entire operetta with the actors and sets he had at his disposal. I suggest this DVD would make an excellent skeet shooting target. It flies amazingly straight and stable with a quick flick of the wrist. Aim quickly and pull. A can't miss hit!
Rating: 
Summary: Tasteful
Review: I found the Stratford Festival's production of Mikado very tasteful. The sets and costumes were simple and beautiful, the acting unaffected and the humor restrained. Not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, the singing was very good and the sets and costumes were all elegant, but when I see The Mikado I don't want tasteful, restained, or reserved. I want silly and exhuberant. I find the version with Clive Revill and William Conrad much more to my liking. (I did however find the Staford Festival's version The Pirates of Penzance marvelous and entertaining, capturing the feeling of a live performance. The singing was recorded live (as was the Revill-Conrad Mikado) despite the complicated staging and choreography, and it only adds to the enjoyment). Statford's Mikado for some reason has most of the singers lip-sinc their solos which seems to take a spark out of the performances. It's all a matter of taste. If you like your G&S stately and dignified, Stratford's Mikado is for you. If you like it giddy and comical, it's not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Stratford Production!
Review: I have never seen the Mikado performed before and after seeing this version any other would be disapointing. I enjoyed all the principal players, especially Richard McMillan ,Eric Donkin, Henry Ingram and Allan Stewart-Coates. Pooh-Bah was hilarious and Marie Baron's singing was excellent. I share it with my friends and watch it many, many times. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: A waste of plastic.
Review: I plan to sell my copy of the DVD to a used record dealer, because I don't have the heart ever to look at it again. In most respects I was very disappointed in this amateurish production. Some of the singing's not bad; none is REALLY bad; that's the best part. I felt the sets and costumes were minimal and ugly--amazing, since G&S costumery is often lavish and splendid. Annoying tricks of acting, a superannuated and unattractive cast, and poor direction make this presentation a waste of money.
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