Gilbert and Sullivan productions have been staged here in Austin at the old Capitol Theater (in the round, with the audience on bleachers, where Halcyon succeeded the original Ruta Maya), at various venues on campus, at the Scottish Rite Theater, at the School for the Deaf, at St. Stephen’s School, at Westlake High, and now, best of all, at the performing-arts hall at Austin High School.

The Mikado will play Thursdays through Sundays through July 3. A 13-piece orchestra accompanies. The production qualities show what miracles of charm and atmosphere can be worked on a small budget, with entertaining costumes, ingenious sets, and excellent lighting.

I knew that I had to attend after hearing three members of the cast performing live to piano accompaniment one evening this past week in a studio at KMFA radio. Today’s matinee was attended by many children, who were completely attentive (tickets for those aged 18 and under are just five dollars).

Special favorites among the cast were Yum-Yum (just nineteen years old), Pooh-Bah, and Ko-Ko. But you’ll have your own favorites. It’s wonderful when the audience exists smiling and laughing. The air-conditioning is fierce, the parking is plentiful.