HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 216, 1 December 1927, Page 17

HIS MAJESTY’S

“MIKADO’S” WELCOME REVIVAL “The Mikado,” a comic opera in two acts by Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. CAST The Mikado Bernard Manning Nanki-Poo James Hay Pooh-Bah John Ralston Pish-Tush .. Lance Fairfax Yum-Yum Strella Wilson Peep Bo .. Effie Armstrong Pitti Sing Mabel Gibson Katisha .. .. .. .. Winifred Williamson Ko Ko Charles Walenn It certainly says something in our favour in these days of syncopation that we can laugh just as heartily as did our fathers at the Gilbertian thrusts in what so many devotees of Gilbert and Sullivan consider to be the most delightful efforts from that extraordinarily talented combination—the merry little musical story of “The Mikado.” WHIMSICAL LITTLE KO KO Whimsical little Ko Ko, so nervous of his office of Lord High Executioner, and yet, withal, so deliciously ludicrous, is just as human as he was 40 years ago or more. Charles Walenn, who portrayed Ko Ko in the welcome revival last night, is without doubt one of the finest exponents of the role we have had the good fortune to hear. True to the traditions of the Savoy, he made an irresistibly amusing little fellow, and soon won the sympathy of his large audience. Despite the cares of his onerous office he was never dull for a single moment. Few will forget his “Tit Willow” solo to Katisha. As usual, John Ralston’s interpretation was remarkable for his excellent enunciation. Pooh Bah again combined the offices of Secretary of State, Lord High Chancellor, Lord Mayor, Commissioner of Police, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the hundred and one portfolios allotted to him by the Immortal Duo. Constantly he consulted with himself anent matters of state, and never once failed to present divergent opinions from the respective officers —himself, of course—unless Ko Ko greased his palm in the time-honoured manner. Mr. Ralston gave another remarkable presentation in a notably good all-round cast, and yet another personal success. Strella Wilson sang with charm and distinction “Three Little Maids from School Are We,” with Peep Bo and Pitti Sing. Incidentally, she accomplished wonders throughout the performance by making herself seldom a head higher than her diminutive companions. “The sun whose rays are all ablaze” necessitated an encore from Miss Wilson. Indeed, encores were the order of the evening. Our latest Yum Yum can act as well as sing—a particularly joyous combination. A MASTERLY MAKE-UP Masterly in his make-up as the Mikado whose object sublime was “to make the punishment fit the crime,” Bernard Manning was another exceedingly popular figure. James Hay’s tenor proved just as effective as of yore in “A Wand’ring Minstrel I,” a nimble Nanki-Poo, equally well-versed in the traditions of Gilbert and Sullivan. Lance Fairfax necessarily had little to do as Pish Tush, but what was entrusted to him he did faithfully and well. "Our Great Mikado, Virtuous Man,” was rendered with adequate solemnity and reverence. Winifred Williamson was not so admirably cast. Nevertheless she made the best of the lines that fell to her in the unsympathetic role of ugly Katisha. Effie Armstrong and Mabel Gibson were demurely Japanese as Yum Yurn’s companions. Gustave Slapoffski, baton in hand, quietly tapped to the music he knows so well. The veteran conductor, who sat in the or | stra well, had his orchestra under excellent control. A word for the chorus. Both “boys” i and girls materially assisted in the success of what undoubtedly is one I of Gilbert and Sullivan's most enjoy- ; able offerings. | Lon Chaney has played many strange ! roles during his screen career, but his j latest role as the “Armless Wonder” in i "Tho Unknown,” a Metro-Gold wyni Mayer picture to be released shortly, is j without doubt the strangest role he 'has ever played. Joan Crawford and | Norman Kerry will also appear in this [ picture.