COMIC OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2379, 8 February 1915, Page 7

COMIC OPERA SEASON

" THE MIKADO OF JAPAN"

A SPLENDID PERFORMANCE. "The Mikado of Japan," a comic .opera in two acts, by Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir: Arthur/ Sullivan. Principal characters. — The Mikado of Japan ...... Frank Wilson N'anki Poo ....... ..... Edward M'Keown KS-I& Charles R., Walenn Pooli-Bah ;.... Albert Kavanagh Pish-Tush ............ C. Villiers Arnold Yum; Yum .V Pearl Ladd Pitti Sing . ........... -.... Katie May Peep-Bob >■~.. Mfluds Miles Katisha Ethel Morrison Distinctly the most .brilliant success yet scored by the -J. C.- Williamson Comic Opofa Company •' in its Gilbert and Sullivan opera season at the Grand Opera House in Wellington was the ■first performance of "The Mikado" on Saturday night, before _ a very, large audience, which was quick to appreciate the quality of the company's work. /"The 'Mikado" is one of the 'greatest achievements of the immortal .combinaIts setting, and the characteristic, flavour of pre-Western Japan afforded the witty • librettist _ a unique field for his . inimitable caricatures of august dignitaries, while the delicate atmosphere of the East, with its charming little Japanese ladies, inspired a dainty touch to the finishing strokes or an exquisite play upon the-■ idiosyncrasies of human na,ture. ; , "The ■ Mikado" is the love story or \Nanki Poo, the Emperor's son, who renounces and becomes a wandering minstrel —second trombone iu an itinerant band—rather .tho imperial decree which enjoins him _,to ' jnary Katisha, an elderly lady or the Court, whose quest for,a man has reached a desperate stage. • Nanki Poo, in the course of his wanderings, meets Yum-Yum, a ward of ilo-ilo, 'Lord Chief Justice, and' Lord High Execuitonar of the Town of Titipu "every Judge his own executioner -rwho had previously been sentenced to death for" flirting, but had been, ■reprieved at.tie last • moment, and now proposes to marry Yum-Yum himself. In tho face of such an insuperable obstacle to nis suit, Nanki Poo decides,to hang himself, "but in thb meantime Ko-Ko, whose office has been a Binecure so far, has received an intimation from the Mikado that if someone is not executed within % month, : the town of Titigu will be degraded to the'rank of.a village and as this means the loss of all the civic positions—a' prospect which _ appals ■Ko-Ko, to say nothing of Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else),, and Pish T (Tusli (a Noble Lord, of Titipu) the. 'Lord High Executioner endeavours to 1 persuade Nanki Poo to offer himself for a ceremonial dispatch instead of committing suicide. Nanki Poo accepts on the condition, wrung from Ko-Ko, that lYum-Yum becomes his bride for a month'. * -.But • a new ' difficulty arises. Nanki Poo is discovered by Katisha, and it is made clear that if' Yum-Yum marries her lover she will share his fate, and be buried with him. So it is agreed, that Ko-Ko and'Pooh-Bah shall sign an affidavit certifying to the execution of Nanki Poo—this to comply with the Emperor's decree ,to Ko-Ko. This is done, and on the arrivel of the Emperor report is duly made. The Mikado. then intimates the real purpose of his visit —the finding of his son, who, ■ he is informed, is in Titipu. Ko-Ko is requested to' produce the wandering, minstrel. The unfortunate Ko-Ko, having already, sworn to tho execution of Nanki Poo, is bound.to sustain his'report,' and shiveringly > . confesses . that ■Nanki Poo and the wandering minstrel are the same—a pure misunderstanding, arising out of blissful ignorance of •NankitiPo's- real ' identity. ■•■■Just •■■as ■ Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah, and Pisb : Tush are about to be interned in boiling oil for compassing the death of the Royal heir 2 matters are straightened out. Naihki .Poo. is produced, Ko-Ko proposes to Katisha—an act of : heroism—and all -ends'well. The opera opened brilliantly, and went with a swing right to the end. • The thorns work was especially good, though the orchestra was just a little inclined to drag occasionally. As Ko-Ko, Mr. Charles Walenn stood out as an artist. The part was eminently to his liking, his acting and singing had the-right Gilbertian flavour, and he fairly revelled in the role. He was particularly good in the numbers, "The Lord High Executioner," "The Criminal Cried," "See How the Fates,"-. "Tit Willow,", and "The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring." The last-mentioned scene saw him in tho zenith of a triumphant evening, and the audience fairly' lionised ■him. Mr. Edward M'Keown, as Nanki Poo, was also good, but inclined to be stiff in his acting, while a perceptible .flattening of the voice in certain numbers, due entirely to the faulty production of one of- bis notes, rather detracted from an otherwise successful performance. His song, "A Wandering Minstrel," was a fine piece of work. Mr. ■G. Villiers Arnold, as Pish-Tush', does distinctly the best work he has yet shown here. His work was correct, artistic, conscientious, and thoroughly well done. His was a most creditable performance. • Mr. Albert Kavanagh had a good part- in Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else), and filled'the , rolo with success—probably his best per-' formance of the ; season, not excepting his work as the Grand Inquisitor in '■"The Gondoliers.". Mr. Frank Wilson, who took the role of "The Mikado," presented a study of a tired-looking Autocrat, bored by the monotony :of a royal existence made blase and jaded !bv a surfeit of absolute monarchy. Whether this interpretation of the role - was st&died, or whether the royal robes and make-up merely disguised the easy-going Mr." Frank Wilson himself, is an interesting question. _ One could .well imagine a more energetic and terrifying monarch, albiet l , with sufficient sense of humour to reflect the piquance of Sir W. S. Gilbert. Miss Pearl Ladd, as Yum-Yum, was quite delightful, both in her singing, her acting, and her speech, and her performance was an artistio success. She was capably seconded'by Miss Katie May (Pitti Sing), and Miss Maud Miles (Peep-Bo). Miss • 'Mbfel Morrison was suitably cast for the part of Katisha, an elderly female of belligerent instincts. Her work was very good indeed, and her singing quite successful. Her great opportunity is in tho recitative "Alone, and Yet . /Uivo," and the accompanying air ''Hearts Do Not Break," an opportun-, Jty of which she made the fullest and )flDst artistic advantage. "The Mikado" will be repeated this and to-morrow evening. ' This evening, 'Miss Gladys Moncrieff will take the'part of Yum-Yum, and Miss Pearl Ladd will resume the role to-morrow, evening. ■"Tho Mikado" will be followed on Wednesday by "H.M.S. Pinafore" and . "Trial by. Jury."

' Burgomaster Max, in a letter which has just been received by a friend of his in Brusaels, declares that the Germans are treating him lilse a criminal: He states that he has been transferred from j the fortress in which he wa3 interned and ' confined in a prison where he is being submitted' to the treatment ordinarily prescribed for murderers,