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‘Mikado’ gets a makeover to remove ‘orientalism’
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | May 21, 2016 | Ryan Kost May

Posted on 05/22/2016 9:47:10 AM PDT by artichokegrower

In mid-February, word spread through the San Francisco theater community that a local group specializing in Gilbert and Sullivan productions was planning to stage the pair’s best known work, “The Mikado.” As recently as four years ago, this might not have been news at all. But this year, the community braced itself.

The piece, more than a century old and set in the fictionalized Japanese town of Titipu, is a favorite among Gilbert and Sullivan fans. Many consider it their masterpiece. Lately, however, “The Mikado” has been getting a second, more critical look, one that focuses on its inherent “orientalism” — or patronizing Western attitudes — and its long history of presenting white actors in “yellowface.” A recent production in Seattle was widely criticized, and another in New York City never made it to the stage.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfchronicle.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
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To: miss marmelstein

Surely, never had a male so adventurous a tale which may rank with most romances.


21 posted on 05/22/2016 10:15:09 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: artichokegrower
And while they are at it get rid of that gosh darn Shakespeare. Always making fun of Danish folks.

Not to mention the blatant anti-semitism of The Merchant of Venice.

Oh wait. I forgot. Anti-semitism is acceptable to the left. Never mind.

22 posted on 05/22/2016 10:15:26 AM PDT by Maceman
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To: Dilbert San Diego

Its only funny if the liberal progressive a##es sat it is


23 posted on 05/22/2016 10:15:33 AM PDT by ronnie raygun
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To: chajin

Maybe you are the person to ask this question. Why is the word Orient/Oriental offensive to them now. We always said they were Oriental and no harm or insult was intended, they came from the Orient.

I am from Texas and I am not offended if someone calls me a Texan.


24 posted on 05/22/2016 10:16:40 AM PDT by Ditter (God Bless Texas!)
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To: DesertRhino
“studied tea ceremony for 30 years”

A PhD in astrophysics might take 7-ish. Care to explain?

I've been studying redneck beer drinking for longer than that.

The key is practice, practice, practice!

25 posted on 05/22/2016 10:29:32 AM PDT by seowulf (Cogito cogito, ergo cogito sum. Cogito.---Ambrose Bierce)
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To: artichokegrower

Very disorienting.


26 posted on 05/22/2016 10:29:47 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: Ditter
Why is the word Orient/Oriental offensive to them now.

I wonder if occidental is offensive now too.

27 posted on 05/22/2016 10:31:25 AM PDT by seowulf (Cogito cogito, ergo cogito sum. Cogito.---Ambrose Bierce)
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To: artichokegrower

“Maybe we should burn the Mikado script. Maybe we should burn all books deemed inappropriate. Wait has this been tried before?”

Just watched a couple of “Dean Martin Roasts.” And I am left wondering how they can sell these DVD’s today. Talk about “politically incorrect,” but damned funny nonetheless!


28 posted on 05/22/2016 10:31:50 AM PDT by vette6387
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To: BenLurkin

We need a Freeper Follies - and you as producer.


29 posted on 05/22/2016 10:37:26 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard the Third: With my own people alone I should like to drive away the Turks (Muslims))
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To: Yaelle
That leaves out the transgenders. How bout we make it “Romeo or Juliet, I Can’t Decide”?

Only real crossdressers will be allowed to play Viola in Twelfth Night.

30 posted on 05/22/2016 10:38:12 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (An orange jumpsuit is the new black pantsuit.)
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To: artichokegrower

Hamilton, The Musical has no white actors.
Liberals are so damned confused/confusing.


31 posted on 05/22/2016 10:43:08 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

Someday soon it will be homophobic to portray anyone as heterosexual.


32 posted on 05/22/2016 10:45:47 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("During a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" --George Orwell)
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To: vette6387

I watched several of the Dean Martin Roast shows on Youtube a few months ago. Don Rickles is great.


33 posted on 05/22/2016 10:47:23 AM PDT by DFG
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To: mdmathis6

You’re supposed to take knee-jerk offense, you bigot!

You’re not supposed to actually understand anything.

What’s the fun of that?


34 posted on 05/22/2016 10:49:44 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("During a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" --George Orwell)
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To: artichokegrower
Today's politically correct version of Joseph Conrad's The Nigger of the "Narcissus"--A Tale of the Sea (London: Heinemann, 1898)


35 posted on 05/22/2016 10:50:20 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: Fiji Hill

I’m hearing morons calls rape the ‘R’ word!


36 posted on 05/22/2016 10:54:15 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard the Third: With my own people alone I should like to drive away the Turks (Muslims))
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To: DesertRhino

Lol


37 posted on 05/22/2016 11:05:10 AM PDT by Rusty0604
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To: Ditter
Why is the word Orient/Oriental offensive to them now.

For the same reason that African-Americans can no longer be called "colored people," "black," "Negroes," or "people of color." (Ditto Native Americans can no longer be called "American Indians.") It's because the Liberal Stalinist Police have decided it so.

38 posted on 05/22/2016 11:05:14 AM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: artichokegrower

Maybe they should redo the Mikado in the Hood and call it The Mofodo or something.

Hey, it could work.


39 posted on 05/22/2016 11:06:53 AM PDT by PLMerite (Compromise is Surrender: The Revolution...will not be kind.)
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To: Kirkwood
Hamilton, The Musical has no white actors.

Minstrel shows are always boffo hits.

40 posted on 05/22/2016 11:08:28 AM PDT by eddie willers
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