"THE MIKADO"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 November 1919, Page 3

"THE MIKADO"

LAST NIGHT AMENITIES

COMIC OPERA V. "THE FLOOD"

Before a house in which every eeat was occupied the Wellington Amateur Operatic Scciety gave its seventh and last performance of "The Mikado" on Saturday evening. The brilliant comic opera ' was played with stimulating verve and spirit, iiiiil every joke and each musical : number foiiml the readiest appreciation. On the final curtain there was a scene of marked enthusiasm in the niulience, and excitement on the stage, ior tho o.p. stage box was almost filled with floral tributes, confectionery, mysterious packages, kowpies of all s'.zes, "and colours, and it miscellaneous assortment of vegetables sent up for the gentlemen of tho chorus. Among the tributes was a very handsome wreath .of gilded laurels, alive with liny "Jap." figures (representing the quartet) sent to Mr. Herbert I l '. Wood, whose performance as NankiPoo has been so generally and cordially admired. Hiss Helen Gard J ne.r was also remarkably popular. : At the conclusion, of the performance all concerned eat down to supper in the rehearsal room at tho Grnnd Opera House. Fully 100 people must have been present. Mr. A. \V. XewUm, who presided, congratulated mill the performer.? on a remarkably smooth and enjoyable performance, and extended a. hearty vmlcome to Messrs. Melville, Crag. arid Davis, lvho made the trip from Wanganui especially to see "The Mikado," which they contemplate doing in that town. ..Mr. Newton apologised for the absence of Mr. Justice Ilerdman (the society's president), whom they anticipated boing present, for Mr. Tom Pcf.lard, ' who had.left for the south that evening, ' and Mrs. James Hannah, who was away.' To bhe last-mentioned two, Sir. Newton i expressed thanks for the splendid work I they had done in connection with "The Mikado."' ■ , i Mr. 1\ Jjsvi proposed tho health of Mr. Bernard Page (the conductor), and I said that as a judge of the work—he had | first witnessed it 31 years ago, and had ' probably seen it played that many times —it was one of the very best performance.? given by amateurs, and that result jmirst bo largely due to the work of Mr. Page. Mr. Pago said the society was doing a. good work in pinning its faith to legitimate comic opera as against the rising flood of frivolity, and worse, which was represented 'uy the revue and such like entertainments. Hβ hoped the society woiul continue to prosper on the lines it had followed. This had been his fourth opera, ami it'had been tho most enjoyable, largely owing to the joy that was"* radiated by Mr. Newton and his sister. As to Miss Newton, nearly every one had told him in confidence (which, ha felt quite at liberty to break) that she was "a perfect dear." "The Cast" was proposed by Mr. 11. Plimmer, who recalled to memory tho doubts which some members had expressed after '"Hie Gondoliers" as to whether the public wanted Gilbert and Sullivan—whether the Gilbert and Sullivan operas had not had thoir day, but others of them had argued against that beliof, aiid in the end had prevailed. Tho result was apparent—it had been one of the . most successful of seasons. Ho thought the cast ha<l done, wonderfully well all j'ouiul. It would be invidious to particularise, but he thought the society had to thank Miss Helen Gard'ner (of L Dunedin) for tho sacrificing manner in which she enme up to Wellington "under arrangement" each year. She had been a distinct asset to the society, and was entitled to their best thanks. It ■ would 1)0 good news to all to learn that Miss Gard'ner wag settling in Wellington early next year. He congratulated tho cast on the fine individual work done. It had been a rattling good show, and the public knew it. Misses Gard'ner, Ann Sullivan, and Queen'e M'lncrnic replied on behalf of the cast. Something in the nature of a surprise ■was sprung upon Mr. K. B. Vance (tho secretary, and a recent benedict.) in tho form (if o. handsome present from tho chorus, which was made by Mr. AVyatt in felicitous terms. Mr. Vance, in returning thanks, referred to the happy relations which had existed nil round. He particularly referred lo the work of those members which was not done "in the limelight," making part'ciilar reference to Mr. W. Frsiser, the society's treasurer. Mr. Newton proposed "The Chorus,", which was responded to by Messrs, .T. Elliott, and J. Sim?, and "The Visitors" was responded to by Mr. Craig (of WαHfjanui), who stmngly endor#l Mr. Pace's remarks as to the necessity for holding out for.ranity "n theatrical performances. The society could do a good deal to educate (he public to propnr performances, that were not only thoroughly enjoyable, but-which .■snvn focxl for pleasant vplltetion, which could scarcely be said of the frothy stuff that was' served up a-' "nl'M'lninmo.nt sometimes. The htlie? nf I'.he Spinster? ,, flub were responsible for the very delectable supper urovidcjl.