Following the success of The Pirates of Penzance in 2013, Scottish Opera once again joins forces with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company to present another of Gilbert and Sullivan’s much-loved comic classics, The Mikado.

Mayflower Theatre will present this vibrant new production from June 29 to July 2.

Written in 1885 and set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu in the 1880s, this ever-popular opera satirises British society and customs through a farcical plot with gags aplenty. The Mikado has decreed that those caught flirting should be sentenced to death. However, things take a complicated turn when his son Nanki-Poo falls for Yum-Yum, whose beauty has also caught the eye of Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner.

Featuring many of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular songs, including A wand'ring minstrel I, Three little maids from school are we and I’ve got a little list, The Mikado is perfect for those new to opera.

Martin Lloyd-Evans (The Pirates of Penzance 2013 and Il trovatore 2015) makes a welcome return to Scottish Opera to direct The Mikado alongside a number of other familiar faces. Gilbert and Sullivan stalwart Richard Suart adds new targets to Ko-Ko’s ‘little list’, Nicholas Sharratt sings the role of Nanki-Poo, Rebecca Bottone is Yum-Yum, and former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Sioned Gwen Davies is Pitti-Sing. Baritone Stephen Richardson plays the Mikado, comic genius Andrew Shore is Pooh-Bah and John Mather Charitable Trust Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Ben McAteer is Pish-Tush. Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek Clark and D’Oyly Carte conductor David Steadman share duties in the pit.

Director Martin Lloyd-Evans said: "Make no mistake, The Mikado is as much about Japan as Yes, Minister. Transposing his satire to an exotic, and at the time very popular culture, enabled Gilbert to cut all the more deeply into his target - the British ruling classes. Over-zealous policy-making heedless of the impact on the populace, the self-serving ambition of the entitled few - how little has changed since Victorian times. At the heart of all this satire, carried by Sullivan's musical brilliance, The Mikado aims to give the audience a great night out. We've tried to create a setting which not only gives voice to The Mikado's satirical edge, but also captures the unfettered fun and frolic of live Victorian theatre."

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk