THE MIKADO, SALISBURY AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY, CITY HALL, SALISBURY

THE mark of a good operatic society is not only great principals, but a great chorus too, and SAOS has one brimming with talent and enthusiasm.

Gilbert and Sullivan supremo Alistair Donkin’s production enabled everyone to shine – and not just vocally: the choreography was polished and the use of flags, ribbons and fans slick.

Those fans, on loan from the Carl Rosa Opera Company and restored by SAOS, were open and closed with aplomb.

The sets created just the right mood and the lighting was highly effective, especially at the end when the Mikado was left alone on stage in a golden glow.

The principals acquitted themselves well: while Ko-Ko (Michael Bolton) and Katisha (Nikki Angel) began a little uncertainly, theirs are the most difficult roles and they more than made up for that later: Michael’s Tit-willow and Nikki’s Alone, And Yet Alive were superb.

Matt Sparkes, in his first principal role as Nanki-Poo, has a fine voice, shown off best in his A Wand’ring Minstrel, and Iain Murray’s crystal clear diction and rich bass tones made an excellent Mikado.

The orchestra, under musical director John Dempster, kept everything moving and the woodwind section was particularly good.

Full marks to Donkin for updating the list with references to mobile phones, Simon Cowell, grasping city bankers and MPs.

There was also a nod to ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and American Express, Lord Mandelson and Laverstock got a mention too – priceless.

Katharine Lawley