As the Leeside venue gets ready for a concert performance of The Mikado, Cathy Desmond gives the lowdown on the ever-popular operetta.

IN Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado, the Emperor of Japan managed to produce the most streamlined government in the world.

KO-KO and Pooh-Bah were the only courtiers who mattered in Titipu. Ko-Ko was the Lord High Executioner, the most important member of the court. He had an unfortunate background, having been taken from the county jail to be elevated to his high position.