2011 - The Mikado

Dates: 25th - 30th April

'The Mikado' set to open next Monday

People Newspapers 20th April, 2011.

FANS WILL BE unfurled in Wexford Opera House next week as the O'Reilly theatre plays host to the Mikado - the centenary production by Wexford Light Opera Society. For 100 years the Society have entertained Wexford audiences and they hope that next week will be no exception with their colourful Gilbert and Sullivan production.

Returning to the big sing of the G&S is a nod to the historical roots of the Society, who in recent years have also wowed audiences with shows as diverse as 'Jekyll and Hyde', 'Ragtime', ' The Producers' and ' The Scarlet Pimpernel'. 'For the centenary we thought it was only fitting that we return to something more traditional. Gilbert and Sullivan are always crowd pleasers - whether the audience is old or new, and the lush score gives the cast and chorus something delightful to get their teeth into,' said Society PRO Nicky Kehoe this week.

Local Councillor George Lawlor will be in full voice to play the role of Nanki Poo in the production opposite the beautiful Claire Kavanagh as Yum Yum. WLOS fans will be delighted to see Des Whelan back in the role of The Mikado, with the striking Siobhan Meyler-Fawsitt in the role of Katisha. This year Siobhan also gets to share the stage again with her dad Liam, who is one of the mens chorus for the show.

The show starts on Monday April 25 and closes on Saturday, May 30.

Mikado gets a dramatic launch

Wexford Echo 31st March, 2011.

WEXFORD LIGHT Opera Society (WLOS) brought splashes of colour to the Opera House on Saturday night for the press launch of their latest production, the world famous The Mikado.

Officially launched by Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera, David Agler, the production runs from Monday, April 25th to Saturday April 30th at Wexford Opera House.

Directed by Noel McDonough, (who is ably assisted by musical director Fintan Cleary, choreographer Edel Quinlan and chorus master Eanna McKenna), The Mikado story goes that year before the action of this opera begins, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, fled his father's imperial court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady.

Disguised as a traveling musician, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor in the town of Titipu. YumYum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, and Nanki-Poo left Titipu in despair.

Starring Des Whelan, George Lawlor, James McDermott, Claire Kavanagh, Siobhan Fawsitt, Owen Brady, Maggs Jacob, Tony Brennan, Rebecca Hadrill among much more local talent, WLOS has been rehearsing the production lately and are very excited at the prospect of bringing it to the Opera House. Chairperson of WLOS Larry Roche said: "Those of you unfamiliar with the show itself will certainly be acquainted with some of its music.

'The Moon and I' is one of the great numbers from The Mikado, as is 'Three little Maids from school are we' both of which featured in our Hits from the Musicals presentation last year."

Mr. Roche praised the very talented production team, the great front of house and backstage team of people who work in all the various departments from box office to wardrobe, make-up and hair to receptions or crew and canteen.

"They're all very important elements that make up the bigger picture that is Wexford Light Opera Society and without the dedicated team of people in all these departments - the show simply would not go on and we thank you most sincerely."

Mr. Roche thanked the Franciscan Community for the use of the Secular Franciscan Order Hall.

Mikado magic to wow Opera House

People Newspapers 30th March, 2011.

The gentlemen of Japan, and quite a few geishas, descended on Wexford Opera House on Saturday night for the launch of Wexford Light Opera Society's centenary production ' The Mikado'.

Tickets for what promises to be a sell-out show for the 100year-old Society have gone on sale this week, and on Saturday the cast gave a taster of the Gilbert and Sullivan classics which will grace the Opera House stage at the end of April.

The show, which stars WLOS stalwarts Des Whelan as the Mikado and Siobhan Fawsitt as Katisha, will be staged from Monday April 25 until Saturday April 30.

Festival artistic director David Agler formally launched the show, which features some of the best loved G&S tunes like ' The Moon and I' and ' Three Little Maids from School'.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin was among the guests at the launch, along with his brother Ted, who deputised for Mayor Joe Ryan.

This year's show is directed by Noel McDonough, who previously directed all-Ireland winners 'Pirates of Penzance' and 'Jekyll and Hyde' with the Society. Musically directing is Fintan Cleary with Eanna McKenna as Chorus Master and Edel Quinlan as choreographer.

The full cast of the show includes Des Whelan, The Mikado; George Lawlor, Nanki-Poo; James McDermott, Ko-Ko; Owen Brady, Pooh Bah; Claire Kavanagh, Yum Yum; Siobhan Fawsitt, Katisha; Mags Jacob, Pitti-Sing; Rebecca Hadrill, Peep-Bo; Tony Brennan, Pish-Tush.

Larry Roche Light Opera Chairman

People Newspapers 05th January, 2011.

AS WEXFORD Light Opera Society gears up for its 100th anniversary, the group's chairman, Larry Roche, is really looking forward to 'a return to our roots'.

The society will stage The Mikado as its centenary celebration show, and Larry believes that doing a Gilbert and Sullivan production in Wexford Opera House will be a real winner.

'We really will be going back to our G&S roots with the Mikado, but I think it will be something lavish and opulent that will appeal to all our audience,' he said. At a time when local groups are struggling to make ends meet, Larry hopes that supporters will continue to patronise Light Opera Shows.

' The Society, over 100 years, has seen many high times and quite a few lows. With the help of our audiences over the years we've been able to weather many storms, and we've got to share quite a few successes,' he said.

'I'm looking forward to 2011 for the centenary celebrations. And these are celebrations we want people to enjoy what we do and take part themselves. While it's great to have some stalwarts back in the ranks for the centenary, it's fantastic every year to see new faces too,' he said.

On a personal note, Larry, joking, says his own personal resolution will be to 'run a marathon'. ' That might be a bit ambitious. Maybe I'll do the first 100 yards,' he laughed.

Des Whelan returns for Light Opera production of 'Mikado'

People Newspapers 15th December, 2010.

WEXFORD SINGING supremo, Des Whelan will get back in the saddle again with Wexford Light Opera Society when he performs in their 100 year production, The Mikado.

Des, who has been missing from the Society's main productions for the last few years, will return to play the title role opposite his good friend, Siobhan Meyler Fawsitt in the role of the predatory Katisha.

The show, which will be staged from April 25 until April 30, is a return to the Society's Gilbert and Sullivan roots and will offer Wexford audiences a ' big sing' from soloists and chorus.

Dublin based director, Noel McDonough auditioned the cast in recent weeks and announced his full line up on Monday.

Other members of the cast include George Lawlor as 'Nanki Poo'; Clare Kavanagh as ' Yum Yum'; James McDermott as 'Ko Ko'; Owen Brady as 'Poo Bah'; Tony Brennan as 'Pish Tush'; Maggs Jacob as 'Pitti Sing'; and Rebecca Hadrill as 'Peep Bo'.

Rehearsals for the show will commence in earnest after the festive season.

WLOS Show 2011 - 'Mikado' to get a novel twist

Press Statement - People Newspapers 21st July, 2010.

A brand new adaptation of a classic light opera will mark the 100th anniversary of Wexford Light Opera Society next year. Gilbert and Sullivan's ever popular Mikado will get a 'Topsy Turvy' treatment in the hands of Dublin-based director Noel McDonough and will be staged in the Wexford Opera House in April 2011.

'We have decided to go back to our traditional Light Opera roots for the 100th anniversary of the Society,' said Chairman, Larry Roche, this week. However, he adds that while the music will remain as written by Sir Arthur Sullivan, the script will get a modern interpretation and the production will have a thoroughly fresh approach.

'The Topsy Turvy Mikado' will rejuvenate the classic, and allow Wexford Light Opera Society do what they do best - stunning choral singing.

'We wanted to reflect 100 years of the Society. Gilbert and Sullivan were the backbone of WLOS for decades. While the society has embraced more modern scores in recent years, there are without a doubt a love in our audience base for the G&S standards' said Larry.

During the course of 2011 WLOS will also stage a centenary concert, publish a centenary calendar and hold a celebratory ball.

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