Auditions for Season 2 – 2025

The Mikado

by W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan

Director: Andrew McGrail
Musical Director: John Ferguson

Auditions will be held on:

Thursday January 30th – 6pm to 10pm, Mount Waverley
Sunday February 2nd – 5:30pm to 10pm, Mount Waverley

To register for an audition timeslot, please fill out the Audition form below, and the auditions coordinator will confirm a time and date with you.

If you wish to submit a video audition, please email your request so we can agree on how best to achieve this.

Q+A

The Creative team is aware that cast and audiences will have expectations for the staging of The Mikado in a 2025 context.

If you have a question about the show please send an email to mikado2025@gsov.org.au

2025 PERFORMANCE DATES

Season details are posted on The Mikado webpage.

There may be an additional performance weekend either the week before Alexander Theatre, or between Alexander Theatre and Berninneit shows. Please keep that in mind with your availability prediction.

Rehearsals

Formal rehearsals will start in April with likely Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Sunday daytime rehearsals. Each performer’s schedule will vary depending on scenes that are called. A schedule will be available at least 2 weeks before the first rehearsal. Rehearsal location can not be confirmed at this time, but we are hopeful it will be in the City of Monash area.

Costs:

Please be advised that all performers will be required to contribute a show fee of $80 full or $60 concession, to help contribute to rehearsal costs. All performers must be GSOV members; those not already a member will also have to pay the $20 GSOV membership fee. Information on when and how to pay will be sent to successful auditionees.

Audition Excerpts and Background Material

Scripts, Vocal Scores, and other material can be accessed at: The Mikado – at The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

Vocal scores may be borrowed from the GSOV library by arrangement.

Auditionees should read the character descriptions and prepare the dialogue or scene excerpt for the particular role(s) they are seeking. It is not necessary for the dialogue to be memorised. Any character ages are only guides as per the storyline. You may prepare any suitable song that shows your vocal style and quality but you must bring a copy of the music for our Accompanist. No pre-recorded audio backing tracks please. However, being familiar with the suggested musical selections is encouraged as we may also wish you to sing a short section. Vocal scores for The Mikado will be available for use at the audition.

If you wish to be in the chorus, and are known to either the Director or MD you are encouraged to audition (because it is good to do), but it is not required. Please fill out the audition form to register your interest in being an ensemble member.

Character Music Dialogue
The Mikado

Bass

 A rather jolly fellow who doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions.
Act 2 No. 6 – A more humane Mikado Act 2 – “Dear, dear this is very tiresome —- I’m not a bit angry”
Nanki-Poo

Tenor

 An infatuated Prince, comfortably mingling with the lower classes.
Act 1 No. 2 – A wand’ring Minstrel Act 1 – “I’ll tell you —- protestations”
Act 1 – “Some years ago —- seeing you”
Ko-Ko

Baritone

 Poster boy for those who have greatness thrust upon them… while madly treading water
Act 1 No 5a – As some day it may happen
Act 2 No. 11 – On a tree by a river		 Act 1 – “This is simply appalling —- hands of the public executioner.””
Pooh-Bah Quintessential upper class Englishman (with accent to match) with a total sense of entitlement.
Act 1 No. 4 – Young man despair Act 1 – “It is. Our logical Mikado
—- head of a State secret.”
Pish-Tush

Baritone

 Local official, middle management/public servant, but wants to sort things out for everyones’ benefit.
Act 1 No. 3 – Our great Mikado Act 1 – “I am the bearer of a letter
—- that would be something”
Go-To

Baritone

 As per Pish-Tush. Can be combined into one role for a suitable singer.
Act 2 No. 3 – Brightly dawns our wedding day (2nd verse) Act 2 – “By all means —- enjoy ourselves”
Yum-Yum

Soprano

 Irrepressible sense of fun, youthful and high spirited.
Act 2 No. 2 – The sun whose rays Act 1 – “What good would that do —-
laws against flirting are excessively severe.”
Pitti-Sing

Mezzo-Soprano

 Irrepressible sense of fun, youthful and high spirited.
Act 1 No. 7 – Three little maids
Act 2 No. 1 – Sit with downcast eyes
Act 2 No. 7 – He shivered and shook		 Act 2 – “I don’t know about that, it all depends
—- impression to that effect.”
Peep-Bo

Soprano

 Irrepressible sense of fun, youthful and high spirited.
Act 1 No. 7 – Three little maids Act 2 – “The happiest girl indeed
—- you are to be beheaded.”
Katisha

Alto

 A lonely person who has been groomed as consort to Nanki-Poo. Pathos mixed with the usual fury.
Act 1 Finale – The hour of gladness
Act 2 No. 10 – Alone and yet alive
Act 2 No. 12 – There is beauty in the bellow		 Act 2 – “None whatever —-
the largest in the world.”
Chorus Bass/Tenor – Act 1 No.1 – If you want to Alto/Soprano Act 2 No. 1 – Braid the raven hair

General Audition Form for GSOV Concert Party, Events, and Performances.

Thank you for your interest in Auditioning for GSOV. Please fill out the form, and we will be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

Name * Required
Address * Required
I am applying for the following role(s): * Required
If you know the show and role you are auditioning for, please list it here. If there are specific audition dates and times announced, you may also indicate a preferred audition date/time.
Please give us an indication of your height.
Are you a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria? * Required
How did you hear about these auditions? * Required
Cast Volunteer Roles * Required
We ask cast members to support the success of their production through further volunteering. Please tick any roles that you are interested in.
Covid Vaccination Status and Working With Children Check * Required
All auditions, rehearsals and performances will be run under the required Covid Safe regulations. Proof of full vaccination may be required. Working With Children Check (or equivalent) may be required if we have cast or crew members under 18.
The information you provide in this form will be provided only to those responsible for casting and mounting this production. It will not be provided to any third party. Do you understand this? * Required
Click here to opt out of GSOV eNews communications
Max. file size: 20 MB.
or send your headshot image to auditions@gsov.org.au after submitting your application.
Maximum file size - 20 mega bytes.