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: 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: 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: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Well Executed
Review: My seven year old daughter has watched this DVD about twenty five times, so the performance is etched in my brain. It consists of fine, athletic acting and good singing, with fairly minimal sets. The orchestration has been tarted up, as some have noted, but it's not too bad. Richard MacMillan's entertaining Pooh-Bah sticks in the mind particularly, as does Gidon Saks' maniacal Mikado. There are a few Canadian references which are fast becoming too topical even for natives of the North: wage and price controls ("six and five"), former Prime Minister Mulroney's pretty wife Mila (left off the little list), and even a brief digital salute to Pierre Trudeau from the irrepressible Pooh-Bah. The CBC's production values are less than stunning. You get mediocre sound, no libretto, and the same tourist promotion video that is seen on other DVD's in the Stratford set. However, the wit and polish of the performance make up for any deficiencies. Overall, a very worthwhile buy for anyone except a real sourpuss, and enjoyable even after the twenty fifth viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Very well-done, though untraditional
Review: Thank God somebody has finally taken some liberties with G&S. The works of these progressive men seem increasingly to be repeated in the same forms over and over again. The odd sets in this production enhance it somehow. The singing and acting are lively. The costumes are rather minimal (probably the worst flaw in the thing). The only downside is the ridiculous Poo-Bah (overdone) and Mikado (also overdone). Otherwise, everything is great: Yum-Yum is shy and beautiful, Ko-Ko is an interesting victim of fate, Nanki-Poo is a fine young hero, Katisha is U-G-L-Y. Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Different, but altogether enjoyable
Review: The Mikado with a Canadian, satiric twist. A wonderful production that pokes fun at itself yet at the same time features outstanding singing, with a great bonus that on the big numbers the actors do a one or two line encore immediately following the song, to the delight of the audience. The staging is sparse but effective, and with the possible exception of the Mikado who is a bit over the top, the main characters -- Yum Yum, Nanki Poo, Pooh Bah and of course KoKo (who steals this show with his wit, sarcasm and humanity) -- are brilliantly played. Some of the special Canadian lyrics (especially on the list song) are hysterical (list does indeed rhyme with separatist), and all in all this is a highly enjoyable, if somewhat different and sui generis, performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Production
Review: This "Mikado" is a delight. I have seen several DVD versions of this show. This production from the Stratford Festival is by far the best. The costumes are colorful, the makeup is beautifully done, and the choreography is as precise as it is fascinating. The stage that has been designed for this show, which is a marvel to behold, is most appropriate for this Gilbert and Sullivan production. Every performance is a strong one. The beauty of this DVD is in the clearness of sound and picture.
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