@truluvpassions: Because the production used the "Fabulous Singlettes" as a unit. In the subsequent Pinafore of the series, there were only 1 sister, 1 cousin, and 1 aunt for the same reason. @ justice139: Just as Coryashire says, there was a tradition even in the D'Oyly Carte of lyric rewrites and/or, as in this case, *additional* lyrics to keep the satire fresh.
And then again, it could be the earlier version by the same producers. There WAS a series in the '90s, and I've no way of telling which this piece is from. My apologies.
I think justice139 is being too critical. Although I cannot divine Gilbert and Sullivan's intentions, the fact G&S remains important is that artists do take license with current events and technologies and insert them. The New York City productions at the City Center do just that and are a worthy substitute for D'Oyly Carte. Give the creative folk their prerogatives. Although I don't like putting musicians out of work, if synthesizers are the only way to keep G&S economic, so be it.
beautiful voices. but, this is, in fact, the most horrendous production of the mikado I have ever had the horror of witnessing. from the synthesized music to the cartoonish acting (high-fives, really?) and the lyric rewrites - all offensive to the true gilbert & sullivan lover. (the duo were, I'm sure, turning in their graves as this was being performed.) well done, as long as you know that this is not the mikado, but something else entirely.
