Teachers' Resources

Your first lesson should always be the Mandatory Lesson or a review of that lesson.

If you have time for only one other lesson, please make that a review of the story (or plot line) of the play. The Mikado is singing theater. For the history of this art form, go to this link. There is a synopsis provided for your use. In addition to the synopsis, there is a vocabulary list with definitions as the words apply to this play. Many of the expressions are not in common use today. This may be especially useful to your ESL students.

Language Arts
Many potential lessons are available from this play. This is just a brief list of suggestions.

Have your students write a review of the play (after the performance.) Be sure they understand that they must justify their opinion. Give this assignment before they attend so they will be looking for evidence.

If your students are having trouble using quotation marks correctly, use the script to help them understand who is talking when. Introduce the concept of a script. Then have them write a mini-play using the script format. Follow up by having them write additional dialog outside of the script format to ensure they understand the use of quotation marks.

This play is a comedy. What makes this one funny? Have your students explain why it is a satire. Use the synopsis to help them understand that it is not based on actual Japanese culture, nor is it poking fun at things Japanese.

This play was written when a Japanese exhibit was sweeping the scene in London. Everyone was entranced with "things Japanese." Ask your students what would need to change if the play were written to take place in Africa. What about South America? How about a South Sea island? Have them take one scene and rewrite it for another, non-Asian setting.

Much of this play is written in verse. Depending on your class's level of experience/expertise, have them write a verse or a poem to replace one of the poems in the play.

Author Study
Your students should understand that singing theater is a collaboration between a composer (who writes the music) and a librettist (who writes the words). In this case, Gilbert and Sullivan were a very successful team. Have your students study several of their works and determine why they think that is true. They could compare and contrast this work with The Pirates of Penzance or H.M.S. Pinafore.

Have your students compare and contrast the personalities of William Schwenk Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Have them determine if they believe they were similar or different. Be sure they use evidence to support their claim. You may choose to have them offer an opinion about the probability of these two men collaborating successfully over time. What factors seem to have affected the actual collaboration?

Gilbert and Sullivan were closely associated with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Have your students research Richard D'Oyly Carte and his influence on this collaboration. Be sure they find out how critical this role was. Gilbert and Sullivan had a falling out before the creation of The Mikado and a major disagreement later. They had differing views about writing in the same vein and changing their focus.

Music
The Mikado is singing theater. You should consider an early lesson on singing and the part music plays in our enjoyment of the theater and other performance venues. Your students will know and recognize many theme songs from movies and some music from opera, such as The Toreador Song from Carmen. Although they may not know the music from The Mikado, they should be able to discuss how music affects us as we watch and listen to various forms of entertainment. Play one or more of the important songs from the play for your students. (Suggestions: I've got a Little List, Three Little Maids from School, March of the Mikado's troops, The Mikado's Song) Ask for their reactions.

A Wandering Minstrel I illustrates several types of music: love song, march, etc. What characteristics of of the music define each?

Have your students study the patter song from the opera. Ask them to compare it to a rap song. Have them write their own version, either as a patter song or as a rap.

Careers
There are many people other than performers involved in this kind of production. There are two links to help you here. The first link (Creating an Opera) will tell your students about creating the performance itself. There are numbers of people who are involved in this process. The second link (Unsung Heroes) will provide you with the people who are rarely, if ever, seen. Have your students look at this and determine an area that interests them. Have them research the opportunities in that area and write a report on it.

Art
Hold a discussion about the staging, including the scenery and costumes. Have your students choose a scene or a character that they would like to "dress".Have them present their work to the class, explaining why they chose that scene or character, what they did differently and why. Have the class comment on how well the changes affect the play.

Have your students create a playbill to advertise this play. Decide in advance if they should use the performance you are to attend (or have attended) or if they should create one from the time of Gilbert and Sullivan, a possible date in the distant future, or other options. Another option would be to create a handbill.

Have your students criticize the scenery for this production. Have them recommend any changes that they feel would enhance the play. Have them support their changes with sketches or drawings.

Have your students criticize the costumes for this production. Have them recommend any changes that they feel would enhance the play. Have them support their changes with sketches or drawings.

Character Study
Compare Nanki-Poo to the leading character in a story you have studied in class.Tell how he is the same as that character AND how he is different.Which character is more interesting? Why? Be sure to cite examples to support your opinion.

What kind of a girl is Yum-Yum? What is your evidence? Is there indirect evidence from her actions as part of the Three Little Girls From School? Would you like to be her? Why or why not?

Although this play is called The Mikado, he does not appear until very late in the play. What kind of character did you expect him to be? Why did you expect that? Give evidence from the text. When he did appear, was he what you expected? If he was a surprise in any way, what was the surprise? If you were the writer, how would you change this character to improve the play? Be specific.

Social Studies
Although this play was placed in a mythical Japan, it can be a jumping off place for students to study and learn about Japan. We have provided some information. In addition, there is much information on the internet. If your class is seventh grade, your students could compare what they have learned about the reign of Prince Shotoku of Japan with the character of the Mikado. Would this play take place before or after his reign? How is this time different from his, how is it the same? Are the other principals similar to ones in the Prince's court? Did his court have others that the Mikado does not?

Is the Mikado a shogun? How can you tell? Does this figure accurately capture any real figure in Japanese culture? If so, from what era/time? If not, what things keep this figure from being real?

NOTE: Gilbert deliberately decided not to show a shogun in The Mikado. Why do you suppose this is?

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