Yum Yum, thereB次元官网网址檚 some arias in the air at Mary Winspear.

George Corwin promises B次元官网网址済reat music and great theatreB次元官网网址� when the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society brings The Mikado to the Charlie White Theatre.

B次元官网网址淭he story itself is, for want of a better word, crazy,B次元官网网址� said Corwin, musical director for this production of The Mikado.

B次元官网网址淚n a sense itB次元官网网址檚 a typical topsy turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan. All of their operas are poking fun at something, while it may seem at the surface that theyB次元官网网址檙e poking fun at the Japanesse culture theyB次元官网网址檙e not. TheyB次元官网网址檙e poking fun at the English.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 the fourth opera CorwinB次元官网网址檚 worked on with the Victoria society. B次元官网网址淚 enjoy every minute of it,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淔or the theatre goer who knows G and S, Mikado is a favourite. For the theatre goer who doesnB次元官网网址檛 know Mikado, theyB次元官网网址檙e in for silliness, seriousness,B次元官网网址� he added.

He figures the aria by Yum Yum in the second act is B次元官网网址渨orthy of MozartB次元官网网址�  and ensemble scenes at the end of the first act and the end of the opera are in a similar league.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e full of colour and movement,B次元官网网址� he said.

That said, an audience member who doesnB次元官网网址檛 laugh at some of the characters should go in search of a sense of humour.

In The Mikado, young Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado, leaves the imperial court to escape an arranged marriage with an unpleasant older woman. Nanki-Poo, in disguise as a poor musician, meets and falls in love with Yum-Yum, but, alas, Yum-Yum is betrothed to the town executioner, Ko-Ko. Hilarity ensues as the characters try and one-up each other in search for the most logical solution to the problem.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 full of just great music and great theatre,B次元官网网址� Corwin said.

Inge Illman plays Yum-Yum, while Pitti-Sing is played by Jennifer Hoener (CorwinB次元官网网址檚 daughter) and Peep-Bo is portrayed by Stephanie Mile. Jennifer Lang plays Katisha, Dale Friesen holds the title role of The Mikado. Another Corwin offspring, Lucas Corwin, plays Ko-Ko while Scott Crinson portrays Nanki-Poo. Adrian Sly is Pooh-Bah and Colin Grewar is Pish-Tush.

B次元官网网址淭here are professional singers in the group, but thereB次元官网网址檚 not a paid singer in the cast,B次元官网网址� Corwin said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all volunteers, which might make you think theyB次元官网网址檙e amateur. Amateur theyB次元官网网址檙e not.B次元官网网址�

Charlie White Theatre performances are March 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. and March 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Call the box office at 250-656-0275 for ticket information.

Shows also runs at McPherson Playhouse on April 2 and 3. For further information, go to www.gilbertandsullivanvictoria.ca.