The Mikado, Carl Rosa Opera Company, Lyric Theatre, Lowry Centre MY first time in the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry Centre was a very enjoyable experience.

Not only were we treated to a tremendous performance of The Mikado, but the seats were so comfortable they were fit for the Queen. It may be a simple thing, but the seats are positioned so that every member of the audience has a clear view -- no straining past the head of the person in front makes for a much more pleasurable evening.

So the theatre was a success and so too was the cast, especially the superb Eric Roberts as Ko Ko, the Lord High Executioner. A cross between Max Wall and Ron Moody, he was in terrific form and was the show stealer.

The costumes and scenery were fantastic and the musical director too is worthy of a special mention. The speed of his baton hand was truly amazing, like a cobra repeatedly striking its prey.

For those who don't know, The Mikado is Gilbert and Sullivan's humorous Japanese tale of love. Nanki-Poo flees his father's court (The Mikado's) to escape an arranged marriage. The plot thickens, various people fall for each other and there's the threat of the odd head-chopping.

It was staged by the renowned Carl Rosa Opera Company, the oldest opera company in Britain. But while the company is old, their ideas are still fresh and this was highlighted in the wonderful and highly amusing rendition of 'I've Got A Little List', where the original words were changed to include such modern wonders as the mobile phone, answer machines and mini scooters!

All in all, a good night out and thumbs up to the opera company and the Lowry. Steve Canavan