Hot Mikado by David H. Bell and Rob Bowman at Landor

Theatrica Ltd presents Hot Mikado, at the Landor Theatre, Clapham, south London, from 10 Oct to 3 Nov 2012.

Book and lyrics adapted by David H. Bell, music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman. Based on 'The Mikado' by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

Directed by Robert McWhir, choreography by Robbie O'Reilly, lighting by Richard Lambert, musical director is Michael Webborn.

Featuring an intoxicating mix of styles and influences, classics such as A Wand'ring Minstrel I and Three Little Maids are transmuted into show-stopping blues, swing, hot gospel numbers and scorching torch songs.

East meets West head-on in this 1940's-style update of a Gilbert and Sullivan favourite. Picture a little town in Japan where flirting is punishable by death. Unsurprisingly, its citizens are finding the law rather, well... tiresome. They appoint Ko Ko, a lowly tailor, as Lord High Executioner, himself condemned for flirting and so not likely to execute anyone. Throw in the beautiful Yum Yum, her ardent admirer Nanki-Poo, errant son of the Mikado, and the man-eater Katisha, and you have one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous comic operas in all its wonderful absurdity.