"THE MIKADO."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 11

"THE MIKADO."

IS GREATEST PLAY. MERRIMENT AND MUSIC. LAST PERFORMANCE TO-KIGHT Challenged only by "The Gondoliers" for popularity, "The Mikado" is one of the most perfect of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and its revival by the J. C. Williamson Company at His Majesty's Theatre yesterday was acclaimed by delighted audiences. From beginning to end "The Mikado" rolls along merrily, and introduces most tuneful numbers such as "The Moon and I," "A Wand'ring Minstrel I» "Three Little Maids From School Are We," and "Willow, Tit Willow?" Choruses and cues are never amiss, while timing is perfect "The Mikado" is a play that lends itself magnificently to fine dressing, and the company does it justice in this respect. It would be hard for the younger generation of playgoers to accept a KoKo other than that of Ivan Menzies. His antics are always as varied as the cast-iron plot permits. . Miss Evelyn Hall, who replaces Miss Evelyn Gardner as contralto lead, is a vivid, passionate Katisha, and her vcice is impressive. Miss Helen Langton makes a clever survey of the soprano numbers. Every word of her songs is audible. Without the music, the songs would stand as poems—it would be little short of disaster if the words were lost. Miss Langton is especially in the difficult "Moon and I" number, where her voice is given full range, and in the charming "Were You Not to Ko-Ko Plighted." Her' bridal coiffure was a gem of forethought and preparation. A much-improved Godfrey Stirling presents one of the most personable Nanki-Poos in years. His "Wand'ring Minstrel I" was most enthusiastically greeted. His voice is one of the company's greatest- assets. Gregory Stroud, the baritone, made a first-rate Pish-Tush revealing great dexterity with the fan. Bernard Manning was effective in his portrayal of the Mikado. "A More Humane Mikado Never Did in Japan Exist" became invested with greater enjoyment than ever under the influence of his capable, well-trained voice. Richard Watson's "Pooh-Bah" does justice to the tradition established by the late John Halston. He is at all times sufficient unto the demands made upon his talents. Pooh-bah is a glorious role, and if well played may live in the memory longer than any of the others in "The Mikado." Pitti-Sing and Peep--80, schoolgirl companions of Yum-Yum, are exceedingly well done by Eileen Kelly and Nina Robbins respectively. Of the choruses it can only be said that they were up to the standard of the principals". "The Mikado" will be played finally this evening, and will be followed on Monday by "Ruddigoro," a wonderful satire on countryfolk, country gentry and their ways. "Paul Jones," an operetta outside the usual scope of Gilbert and Sullivan companies, will be staged on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, also at the Wednesday matinees.