The Black Mikado is a musical comedy, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, adapted by Janos Bajtala, George Larnyoh and Eddie Quansah from W. S. Gilbert's original 1885 libretto and Arthur Sullivan's score. The show premiered on 24 April 1975 at the Cambridge Theatre in London, where it ran for 472 performances before going on a national tour. A cast album was produced in October 1975 featuring 12 of the show's songs, and a medley of numbers from the finale of act one. It was recorded at Basing Street Studios in London, then finished at Island Studios.
In 1976 a production of the musical was mounted in Soweto, South Africa, where it played at the Diepkloof Hall.Lindberg, Des and Dawn. Des and Dawn Lindberg: Theatre Productions, accessed 26 November 2009 Another cast album was recorded for this production.
Musical numbers
The numbers listed in the 1975 and 1976 recordings were as follows. The show had additional musical numbers.Shepherd, Marc. , A Gilbert and Sullivan Discography, 25 November 2001, accessed 23 November 2009
London Cast Recording
Track List
Personnel
The Titipu Town Band
GEP Horns Eddie Quansah: Trumpet, Flugel and French Horn, Additional Percussion. Music Adaptation George Larnyoh: Alto Sax. Music Adaptation Peter Vanderpuije: Baritone Sax
Juice Willie Cheetham: Percussion Janos Bajtala: Keyboards. Music Adaptation Graeme Morgan: Drums John Varnom: Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitar Colin Vallance: Bass Guitar
Production + Technical Music Production: Dave Bloxham Executive Producer: James Verner Engineer: Phil Ault Assistant Engineer: Barry Sage
The singles Three singles were issued alongside the album. The first of these is a single edit of "The Sun Whose Rays...", with the instrumental bridge after the 2nd chorus excised. A second single features only the "Oh Fool, That Fleest My Hallowed Joys!" part of "Finale Act One" as its B-side. Finally two new studio recordings were made by Derek Griffiths with a different arrangement of "Tit Willow", and "I've Got A Little List" which is not on the Soundtrack Album.
South African cast recording
Track listing
Personnel
Production and technical Produced, directed, designed and choreographed: Dawn Lindberg Musical director: Gerry Collins Vocal director: Irene Frangs Musical adaptation: Eddie Quansah, George Larnyoh, Janos Bajtala Musical production: Dave Bloxham Recording engineer: Julian Laxton, Meyer Van Rensburg
The Titipu Town Band: Spirits Rejoice Gilbert Matthews: Drums Sipho Gumede: Bass Duke Makasi: Sax George Tyefumani: Trumpet Russell Herman: Guitar Merwyn Africa: Keyboard Gerry Collins: Conductor and special keyboard Irene Frangs: Extra vocals Gene Peterson: Additional brass, trumpet and flugelhorn Ron Francetti: Tenor sax
Discography
Albums Year Country Title Label Cat. No. Format 1975 England The Black Mikado Transatlantic TRA 300 LP, 8T, CC 1976 South Africa Des and Dawn Lindberg Present the South African Cast Recording of The Black Mikado RPM RPM 1111 LP 2024 England The Black Mikado Original London Cast Recording Stage Door Records STAGE 9104 CD
Singles Year A-side B-side Label Cat. No. 1975 "The Sun and I" Black Mikado London Cast featuring Pat Ebigwei "Three Little Maids from School" Black Mikado London Cast Transatlantic BIG 530 "So Please You Sir" Black Mikado London Cast "An Excerpt from Finale Act 1" (Oh Fool, That Fleest My Hallowed Joys!) Black Mikado London Cast featuring Anita Tucker BIG 531 "Tit Willow" Derek Griffiths with Black Mikado London Cast "I've Got a Little List" Derek Griffiths with Black Mikado London Cast BIG 533
References
External links The Black Mikado Original London Cast The Black Mikado on BroadwayWorld Recording of the opening number