YORK Light Opera Company will bring a reworking of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operetta to York Theatre Royal for the first time next month.

Completely rescored, Hot Mikado still retains all the original well-loved songs but all transformed to swing, rock and gospel, and the location changed from Japan to 1940s USA.

The casting includes both old and new company members. Leading lady Yum-Yum will be played by newcomer Lauren Charlton-Mathews, who gained her G&S experience with the University of York Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Her husband, Chris, will take the role of one of the Gentlemen of Japan.

Richard Blackburn is to follow up his appearance as Gaston in York Light’s Beauty And The Beast by playing leading man Nanki-Poo.

Other major roles will go to Laura Meek as Katisha; Alexa Chaplin as Peep-Bo; Alicia Stabler as Pitty-Sing; Michael Foster as Pish-Tush; Anthony Gardner as Ko-Ko,; Colin Sinclair as Poo-Bah, and Rory Mulvihill, York Light’s man of many roles, as The Mikado.

“This show has been a very enjoyable for the entire cast to rehearse; they’ve had such a lot of fun,” says publicity officer Tony Reeves.

“Hot Mikado doesn’t have the big-name pull of our two previous Theatre Royal productions, The Sound Of Music and Oliver! but we can assure audiences that they will be treated to a great evening’s entertainment.”

Hot Mikado will run from Tuesday, March 4 to Saturday, March 15 at 7.30pm with matinees on both Saturdays at 2.30pm.

• Tickets are available at £6 to £24 from the Theatre Royal box office, on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk