Operatic Society To Present 'Mikado’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 9

Operatic Society To Present 'Mikado’

With the expiration of the D’Oyly Carte copyrights at the end of 1961, the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan seem destined to “keep on shining right through the twentieth century,” as Gilbert told Sullivan. Their ninth opera, “The Mikado,’” will be presented by the Christchurch Operatic Society in the Civic Theatre for a one-week season which opens on Saturday. The copyrights maintained as inviolate Gilbert’s words and staging traditions, but now these restraints have gone many producers have altered some of the Gilbertian laws. The producer of “The Mikado” in Christchurch, Mr L. G. Clark, of Oamaru, who also directed the opera there last year, sees no need for ballets, topical phrases, or comedy inserts.

• “There is nothing demode • about Gilbert and Sullivan.” > says Mr Clark. “It is their i perennial freshness that gives ; the operas their greatest api peal. The title role is played by Grahaeme Johnson, a bass i who has been assistant musiI cal director for several of the : society’s shows, and musical i director for the last two i shows by the Mid-Canterbury Operatic Society. I In the famous comedy role i of the agile Ko-Ko, the Lord : High Executioner, is a newi comer, Christopher Gilbson. i Partnering him as Pooh Bah, i “Lord High Everything Else,” is David Lund, who appeared iin the Rangiora Choral So- ■ ciety’s production of “The i Yeomen of the Guard” last I year. Gilbert Wiberg plays the • leading tenor role of Nanki Poo, the wandering minstrel.

Katisha. the Mikado's "daugh-ter-in-law-elect,” is played by Audrea Beddie. Barbara Loader is the heroine, Yum Yum, together with Rosina Vincent as Pitti Sing, and Janette Arnould as Peep 80, the Three Little Maids from School. Vernon Reid will appear as Pish Tush. The sets, which were used in the Oamaru production, have been designed by Colin Wheeler, who was placed second in this year’s Kelliher art competition.