THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2003
ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5
Opera updates satire with University society
By Donovan Atkinson
datkinson@ kansan.com
Jayplay staff writer
Finding love is difficult enough, but it would be even harder if flirting was against the law. Such is the case in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, presented by the KU Opera.
One of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular works, The Mikado tells the story of Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado of Japan. Nanki-Poo flees his father's court to escape an unwanted marriage. He falls in love with a young woman, but she is betrothed to another man. The other man just happens to be the Lord High Executioner of the city of Titipu.
"The big thing is that they satirize British society and mannerisms," said John Stephens, stage director of the production and professor of music and dance. "Although it's set in Titipu, Japan, it is all about life in Britain."
W. S. Gilbert decided to write a piece set in Japan after an old Japanese sword fell off his office wall. He found added inspiration in Knightsbridge, England, a small village of Japanese immigrants.
"There are jokes about Knightsbridge in the original script," Stephens said. Stephens said the jokes had been taken out to make the piece more understandable to modern audiences.
The directors made other changes to The Mikado. They used references to political figures and KU departments to
'THE MIKADO'
KU Opera will present The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan at 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 864-3000.
update the show.
Christopher Gilliam, Baldwin City graduate student, as the Executioner, sings the "Little List" song, in which he lists the undesirable people of society. The song included the KU parking department.
"It stopped the show," Gilliam said.
The show used costuming and make-up based on authentic Japanese designs. The make-up is based on kabuki and geisha make-up designs.
Despite the Japanese inspiration, The Mikado is essentially British.
"There is nothing remotely Japanese or Asian about this show," said Mark Ferrell, musical director and associate professor of music and dance. "It's one thing to dress contemporary and make fun of John Ashcroft, but if you dress in clothing from 300 years ago people are more forgiving of it."
Gilliam said the show's humor would appeal to all audiences.
"The thing that people don't realize, even though this is an opera, is that this is a show that everybody will enjoy," Gilliam said.
- Edited by Andrew Ward
John Nowak/Kansan
Ko-Ko, played by Christopher Gilliam (right), cowers before the Mikado, played by Benjamin Winters (left) in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado.The KU opera will perform the Japanese-inspired Victorian opera 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday at Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.
Carless students use creativity to get around
By Eddie Yang
eyang@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Some University of Kansas students don't spend any money on gasoline, car insurance or parking permits. The price they pay for this is not having a car.
A car is a nice convenience but not a necessity for Erin Duffey.
The Wauwatosa, Wis., senior said she walked where she needed to go.
"I live about halfway between downtown and campus, so I walk to work and school," Duffeysaid. "The onlytime I borrow myroommate's car is when I go grocery shopping."
Cameron Haddad, Overland Park senior, lives with a roommate without a car. He said the only time he had a problem with letting his roommate borrow his car was when they had conflicting agendas.
Some students take advantage of the newly improved Lawrence Transit System. The system charges customers 50 cents to ride one of its various routes. Lawrence runs routes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.on Saturdays, and it provides no service on Sundays.
"I trust him, and he's a good driver," Haddad said. "As long as he's not drunk."
Duffey said she hadn't checked into the transit system because she hasn't had the
need for it vet.
"I'm kind of curious about it, but my roommate is pretty gracious in letting me borrow her car," she said.
KU on Wheels also provides transportation to and from campus from various locations throughout the city. It takes a bus pass or $1 to ride these buses. The buses run when school is in session.
Saferide provides a free taxi service through the University and offers transportation from 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. when school is in session.
Some Lawrence residents choose to use bicycles as their main mode of transportation
Glen Roussel, an employee at Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop,802 Massachusetts St., said he chose to ride a bicycle as his main mode of transportation, and the winter weather had not stopped him from getting around.
"I've been riding my bike to work for the last nine months," Roussel said. "If you dress appropriately, it's fun to ride in the snow."
Roussel said that although it might be more work to ride a bicycle, he didn't mind.
"It's fun to be outdoors and check out nature," Roussel said.
- Edited by Brandon Gay and Andrew Ward