“KISSI KISSI.”

Evening Star, Issue 3369, 6 December 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

“KISSI KISSI.”

The Loudon correspondent of the Arcadian v rites as follows regarding the best burlesque »u the Shah’s visit;—“ The play that just iow draws the largest audiences is called Kissi Kißsi, or the Pa, the Ma, and Padihan,’ at the Opera Comique. it ie an adaption, by Mr F. Burnard, of Offenbach’s L’lle de Tulipata,’ Instead, however, of he chief of a mythical island, who is repreented returning home to find his supposed on a girl, and the daughter of his chief dini&ter a boy, the late Persian visitor is epresenced as the travelling monarch. The cene is in Persia, and the Shah is absent in his tour, but incessant telegrams arrive ’resently the return of the monarch is anlouuced. He enters gravely moustache, tat, and spectacles, to the life—and solemnly alutes the laughing and cheering audience! Joining down the stage he sings a sweet, ad, pathetic ditty, with chorus, ‘Twinkle, winkle, little Shah,’ Costume, is

perfect-all Imt the diamonds, which, alas . we replaced by rows of pawn-tickets. Ihe European journey has been too much for the King of Kings. Then he commences the story of his experiences, especially of the land called England. Ho has much to say in disparagement of England, where even the Royal Persian title is synonomous with ‘Pooh, pooh,’ and where the lowest mental occupation, such as scrubbing floors and black-leading grates, is performed by 1 Shahwomen ’ He went to the House of Commons while there, but was nob impressed * What do they do in .that House ? ’ asks the Vizier. ‘ They sport,’ is the reply. ‘ What, like a pump ?’ ‘ Yes, and like a pump each has MP. -t the end of bis name Ihe European ballet is described as nautchy but nice, aud there is talk about the liberties enjoyed by women, even to that of carrying arms and powd°r —‘ noc, the powder which goes off, but the powder which goes on, with a puff.' Presently the Shah falls asleep, and is heard to murmur broken ejaculations of delight, such as, ‘beautiful-lovely-stat-uary flowers charming retreat etc. Asked what he is dreaming of, he replies ‘Leicester Square.’ [A square resembling the plaza in its era of dilapidation.] n short, the conception is extremely funnily worked out, and the rmlsmblmt humor of Mr Henry Com. who plays the Shah, cannot be too highly commended. In all, except one particular, the artistic value of the travestie was perfect, but that exception marred all. We refer to a drunken scene, and a stupid, vulgar music-hall song which the Shah sings, about his love running away with a man that plays the cymbals. Whoever is responsible for this blotch upon a elever conception- -whether the author or the actor-it is a mistake, and should be cut out. All else is unexceptionable. Ihe tun does not flag throughout the whole piece, which has that important qualification tor success —brevity. ”