"THE MIKADO"
REVIVED BY WELLINGTON AMATEURS "Tho Jlikado," a comic opera in two acts, by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Cast:— The Mikado of Japan Mr. Zanto Wood Ni'itki-l'oo Mr. Herbert I l '. Wood Ko.Ko Mr. A. W. Newton Pooh-Baii Mr. Frederick G. Twiaa Pish-Tusli Mr. diaries Moore Vum-Yum Miss C. Ilelen Gard'ncr Pitti-Sin" Miss Ann Sullivan Pcep-Bo Miss Quecnie M'lnerne.v Katislm Miss Jessie Newton When a littlo over thirty-four years ago "Tho Mikado" was presented for the first time at the Savoy Theatre, London, the critics, long beforo captured bv tho dual brilliancy of Gilbert and Sullivan (who up till that time had produced nine comic operas), were all agog to nolo whether tho two wits could maintain tho high standard tlicy had created. Soma expressed tho'hopo that they for onco might drop the ultra-fantastical and present human beings, whilst others argued that they would probably outdo themselves in' that quaintly absurd form of topsv-turveydom which has long since given birtlfto the adjectivo "Gilbertian." On the production of tho work by D'Oyly Carto under tho personal direction of Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan, there -was nothing but a chorus of praiso for the newest and greatest triumph of the incomparablo collaborators. The humour that stings rather than tickles, the frank exposure of tho little hypocrisies of pnvato and public life, tho ridiculous yet subtle reasoning by which "tho dull crowd mav bo gulled," the witty music of Sullivan, which helped so much to accentuate Gilbert's vocal jokes, was never so beautifully obvious, and the work was frankly labelled a masterpiece in comic opera. Since then it is doubtful if a. more telling light opera has
been written, which is probably the reason for the sustained popularity of the work wherever tlio English language is snoken. The Wellington Amateur Operatie, Society has mado no mistake in presenting "The Mikado," as its reception by a crowdcd house at tho Grand Opera j liouso proved on Saturday evening. Ihe performance this one to bo proud of. In nparly every rcsocct it vrns well up to a hi eh 'professional standard, and in 6omo respects beyond it. For example, no profccsional company brings to New Aonland such a fine chorus of fresh voung voices, and in no performance of tho opera in the memory of old playgoers j lias the "business" of tho chorus been ; quite p.o complete nnd varied. Tins really is tho crowning feature of the . production, and has exemplified tho abounding resource of Mr. Tom Pollard m this form of stage work as never before. Vocally the chorus is a strong one, tlio tenors being the on]y weakness—seemingly a chronic, one. Tho "tram of tho littlo ladies" was a delightful ono. The society seemed to liftvo netted all 'tlio prettiest girls in town for tlio chorus, and superbly, dressed their- in beautifully-toned kimonos which blended in with one another, presented an harmonious blaze of animated colour. One cannot help dwelling upon the loveliness of tba massed effects so strikingly produced throughout tho opera. Picture after picture was unfolded to the delight of tho audience, and thero woro moments when tho action of tins opera ceased momentarily as a picture was "held" for inspection.. One of tho loveliest effects was the picture at the opening of tlio second act .where tho dainty little .Tap girls sit placidly in a. fair garden titivating the fair liimYum, who is that day to bo married,
Whilst away beyond them stretches a temple-strewn rivci which loses ltseit in tlio misty foothills of old Fujiyama. Tho scene was accorded an ovation. Other scenes of rare beauty were tlio series in tho finalo of the fir.->t act, where the ferocious Katisha enters to claim "her perjured lover, Nanki-100. Here, as in the mens opening, tho ianwork was excellent. . Coming to the principals the society on the. whole lias again been fortunate. It is impossible always to get a perfect all-round lit with amateurs, but as a rule tho poeietv has, in tho past, generally been able* to "let tho punishment tit tlio crime." In Miss Helen Gardner they have produced an extremely sweet •a.nci properly diminutive Ynm-lum, who acts with adorable naivete, attitudinises prettily, and sings like an artist. Miss G.ird'ner scored a very great success m that lovely ballad "The Moon and I, and, with' Mr. Herbert F. Wood, gave .a very charming rendition of that pem in duets, "Were You Not to Ivo-Ko 1 lighted " Mis.? Gardner's voice gave tho top-note finish to tho many tuneful coneorted numbers, none better than tho melodious madrigal, "Brighly Dawns Our Weddiii" Day," which had to be repeated. Mr. Wood sang very easily ajiit effectively as Nanti-Poo. Of tlio ama. tour tenors who have essayed this imporhmfc role, Mr. Wood was perhaps tiio easiest and most unconcerned about Jus music. ?ot he was alnfays there, and tho sweet chime of his timbrous tenor waß always in artistically harmonious accord with those, with whom he was asso. cinted. Mr. Wood sang "A Wand ring Minstrel" with effective nonchalance and tonal charm, and in tho duct with Miss Gard'ner and tho "Here's a Tlow-de-Do, was effective. One would like to 6ee -Hr.
Wood throw a littlo moro ardour into hw love-making. Tho comedy honours of tho evening went to Mr. A. W. Newton, v.'lio pimpiv revelled iti tho lihbustcniig fun of Ko-lvo, tlio tailor of Titipu, who lias been promoted to bo Lord Hi"h Executioner, though ho confesses that he "couldn't kill a blue bottle. Mr. Newton has the lutppy knack of at once establishing in limn to relations with the audience, and never once did he miss a Gilbertian point or fail to coinej it. poinleilly lo tho audience. Ho was at his best, in the comedy love sceno with the elderly Katisha, nnd afterwards where lie. with I'itti-Sing and Pooh'-Bali, tells of tho execution that never was to tho bloodthirsty Mikado. His grimaces, dancing, spint, and "attitudes queer and quaint" woro all part of a capital performance. Ho scored in "I've Got a Littlo List, and the affecting "Tit-Willow.-" Miss Jessie Newton, whilst, hardly equal to the vocal <]eTTi<inds of Jv<itisli , a, Avhicli civo consulorable. made a bitter old spinster, who dcscribco herself as tough afl a bone, a very veal' character, and in the second act "ot. a deal of humour out of tlio scene'where nhc succumbs to artfullyplanned cajolery ot tho wily A encores was also worod by Ivatisha and Ko-Ko in the durt "There is Beauty in ihe Bellow of tho Blast," with the accompanying dance. Sir. Ziinte Wood plaved 'the Milrado on traditional lines, and got a <*oed deal of sardonic humour nut of the clever lines. Mr. Fred. Twiss lacked the pb.vsieal weight and mental Dfuiderositv of' tho accepted Pooh-Bah, but otherwise did justice, particularly in til- vnciil sense, to the many-tilled official who was "born sneerin?." Mr. f'lnrlrs Moore was satisfactory ns P.ehTii<=h. Miss Ann Sullivan was Ijright and winsonw both in her siniring nnd acting n=i Pitti-Sing. ami Miss Oueenie M'Tnernio was always in the picture na Peep-
I'" 1 - , „ Mr. Pollard ; s deserving of all praiso f>r the eenenl success of the urodnction The orehestra, under Mr. Bernard PsiTf. wn« fairly fiiccfssful. At. times their' aeconipanimeiils woro very ragfrod and thin, and an altogether more solid fmindiilvon in acoinpuniment would havo limn pi veil by the inclusion of a piano. Thoy were 'also late on their euee in nioro than one . instance. Tho which wero designed and fnßVonwl on lo ton" and ornamentation liv Mrs. .Tames Hannah, are n feabro of a verv fiin- produel.ion. and_Mr. W. ,T B»ek has done some fine painting in the enurtvwd sc-ne of the fimt act, and i:h« v "ry One b:"'kelolh of the secand nH "The will be played throughout the woek at the Grand Opera T r onse Among tl'^« ( > Tiresent on Saturday eveni„i, wn s Hi- 1 the GovernorGeneral, ihe (V'intess of Livernorf, and a n'irh- fi'iun Ocveruirent House, who thoroughly euioved the nerforinance.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 33, 3 November 1919, Page 8
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1,332"THE MIKADO" Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 33, 3 November 1919, Page 8
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