“THE MIKADO”

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 8, 5 October 1926, Page 6

“THE MIKADO”

ANOTHER WILLIAMSON SUCCESS “The Mikado.” a comic opera in two acts hv Gilbert and Sullivan. Cast: Mikado of Japan Bernard Manning Nanki Poo dames Hay Pooh-Bah John on Pish-Tush Lance lairtax Yum-Yum R ’2 S6e!! Pppd Bo Efhe Armstrong Pitta Sing Mabel Gibson Katisha Winifred Williamson Ko-Ko Charles Walenn

"The Mikado” is probably the most popular of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, tor in no other wore the Jibretfist and composer in such harmony of ideas or was the humour of music and Words so synchronised as in this merry absurdity, suggested by the presence of a Japanese village at Earl’s Court in London. Though the original performance was given in London in 1885. the sparkling production comes as fresh today as "the flowers that bloom in the spring.” 't crowded audience, including Their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Alice' Fergusson. thoroughly enjoyed the revival given at Grand Opera House last night. The opera was beautifully produced, the scenery was highly ornate, and the dressing throughout was a pernetunl delight to the eye. Mr. Charles Walenn was at his host n« Ko-Ko, and kept Hie audience in high good humour with an endless variety of tricks in "business” and attitude. He made Hie very most of "I've Got n Little List,” "Tit Willow.” and "Here’s a How-de-Do.” His was an extremely amusing piece of characterisation, helped out bv an unusually adaptable voice Miss Patti Russell made an adorable Ytun-Yutn, and sang "The Moon and I” so well that a triple encore was insisted upon She was excellently supported bv a vivacious Pitti Sing in Miss Mabel ..nd a most pleasing Peen-Bo in Alias Effie Armstrong. Miss Winifred Williamson scored a signal success ns Kntisha -Her strong contralto voice wa« fuDv equal to the heavy demands made by the part, and her acting throughout was most convincing. Mr. .Tames Hay is thoroughly at home in the character of Nanki Poo. He was a gentle and refined lover, and his by-mlay was always in the best of taste. His treatment of "A Wandering Minstrel” was most artistic, and he was also heard to advantage in the charming duet. “Were You Not to Ko-Ko Plighted?” Mr. Bernard Manning made a becomingly ferocious Mikado, who gloried in boiling oil and molten lead. His fine baritone voice was hoard well in “My Object All Sublime.” Another fine performance was the Pooh-Bah of Mr. John Ralston, and Mr. Lance Fairfax was equally successful as Pish-Tush, particularly in the solo, "Our Great Mikado. The delighL fill madrigal, "Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day,” was harmoniously sung, as were “The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring' and "If I'd a Fortune.” The chorus work was excellent, the. crowded audience being roused to enthusiasm by “If You Want to Know Who We Are,” “The Lord High Executioner.” "Comes a Train of Little Ladies.” ''Miya-Sntna" and “Braid the Raven Hair.” The orchestra, under Mr. Gustave Slappffski, shared in the honours of the evening. “The Mikado” will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night, with a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon. A VETERAN CONDUCTOR

MR. GUSTAVE SLAPOFFSKY.

'[’he musical director of the Gilbert Sullivan Company at present playing in Wellington, may claim to bo the doyen of operatic conductors in Australasia, with a knowledge of range that probabIv exceed that of any conductor before tho public in this part of the world. Mr. Slapoffsky, who is London-born ot Russian parents, was a. brilliant, violinist. and for many years was lending violin and later e° D " ductor with the Carl Rosa Opera. Company in England. His knowledge of opera, and people who sing it was such that in 1900, Mr. Geo. Musgrove besought his assistance in the formation of his first, opera company. This company included Madame blapoffsky as prima donna, Louis Arens, Baron Berthold. Lempriere Pringle. and others who were responsible for the first performances of "Tannhauser, "Lohengrin” in Australia. Later Mr. Slapoffsky was again employed by Mr. Musgrove in the assembling of his German Opera Company, which sang an extended Wagnerian repertoire throughout Australia, and New Zealand. Since then Mr. Slapoffsky has been in Australia, for the greater part of the time with J. C. Williamson. Lid. He was conductor of the Gilbert-Sullivan Company of five years ago; and he returned with “The Beggars Opera, two years ago. Last year he was selected as judge for the great, competitions at Ballarat, and afterwards camo over to Dunedin as conductor of the Exhibition Orchestra; now he is back again with one of his eternal loves—Gilbert and Sullivan. Madame Slapoffsky resides in Sydney, teaching her art to comors-on in her stiidio at the New South M ales Conservatorium of Music.