The Nikado
''The Nikado, or Trial of DeFleury was a spoof operetta, based on The House of Niccolo, which was performed at the E2000 Edinburgh 2000 Gathering, and with variations in text and cast at the P2000 Philadelphia 2000 Gathering.
Background
[edit | edit source]The Nikado was conceived in the late 1990s on Dunnetwork by Simon Hedges and Cindy Byrne, with the idea of a musical entertainment to be presented at the Edinburgh 2000 Gathering. The entertainment was to consist of the performance of madrigals, and a spoof half hour operetta. The idea was inspired by Francesco y Filipa, the spoof Grand Opera, produced by Tovah Hollander and performed at the 2004 Edinburgh Gathering. The idea of the madrigals was later abandoned as the operetta grew in scale and length.
As an Opera had already been done, and Dorothy Dunnett was known to be fond of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, it was decided to base the Operetta primarily on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, but with borrowings from modern popular music where appropriate. No original music was composed.
There were some problems: When Francesco y Filipa had been written, the ending of the Lymond Chronicles (on which it was based) was known. However, when the Operetta was written, Gemini had not been written, and so the story presented problems. Rather than try to second guess Dorothy Dunnett, the primary author, Simon Hedges, decided on a non-linear approach in which Niccolo would be put on trial for his presumed crimes.
Title
[edit | edit source]The title of the Operetta was 'The Nikado' a pun on the name 'Niccolo' and on the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, 'The Mikado'. The subtitle, 'Trial of DeFleury' was a spin on the title of Gilbert and Sullivan's first operetta, 'Trial by Jury'.
History
[edit | edit source]The First Song
[edit | edit source]The first song written for The Nikado, was 'I'd like to Teach the World to Trade' - notably not a Gilbert and Sullivan song. A full lyric for this was written by Heather Fletcher. The first part of this survives in the final lyric, and is very funny. However, the second part of the lyric was replaced by Simon Hedges with a call back to the opening of Niccolo Rising. This song was dreamed up at Cindy Byrne's house in Dublin, when Simon Hedges and Heather Fletcher stayed for the weekend to discuss the matter. It was at this time that the idea of using "Both Sides Now" was proposed by Simon Hedges (while being driven over a bridge in Dundrum), although the lyric for that was not completed until a visit to Cindy Byrne's sister's house in Lake Arrowhead, California, later that year.
Production Concept
[edit | edit source]Francesco y Filipa had been a big success. However, the Nikado was to be different in several ways. The script was to be written in full before the Gathering. Any rehearsals would take place away from the residential blocks of student accommodation, people would learn their lines, and there would be a pre-recorded synthesised backing. The internet in 1998 was much more advanced than it had been in 2004, and for most people, it was possible for them to listen to the music online using midi files, so they could practice at home. Lines would be fully learned, and the performance would be fully staged. An email list "DD-Event" was set up