Never saw this version of The Mikado til today (2018). Musically (both orchestrally and vocally) it is first rate. However, visually, this Mikado is not only dull, it is pointlessly monochromatic. I've never seen a version of this delightful operetta with such uninspired costumes. In addition the floorplans for the sets were fine (for television) but the execution of the sets was worse than NBC's recent The Wiz. Extremely flat and under-decorated. Make up as well was very stage like and lacked the "white face" used by Japanese women of the period. It is this makeup that is supposed to make Katisha so frightening to look at! But alas, she was neither ugly nor physically out of proportion.
If the brilliant Sullivan score and the lyrics of WS Gilbert were not present here, this would not make it past the first five minutes before the viewer would turn it off.
If the brilliant Sullivan score and the lyrics of WS Gilbert were not present here, this would not make it past the first five minutes before the viewer would turn it off.