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Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIIII, Issue 3625, 11 September 1912, Page 4

The intention of the newly-fornwa Gisborne Operatic Society to revive the whimiscal musical comedy '•The Geisha” at an early date as its initial production has aroused the liveliest satisfaction among local playgoers,/ The story of “a tea house of ten thousand joys and a chrysanthemum fete in a palace garden" is. of course, too well-known to require to be recalled. It is, however, of interest to mention that "The Geisha’ made her first colonial appearance in Melbourne in IS9S. Messrs "Williamson and Musgrove having acquired the Australasian rights from Mr George Kdwardes. London, where the comedy had shortly before met with unqualified success. In the original Melbourne east Miss Florence Perry played 0 Mimosa San, Miss Beatrice Perry Xami, Mrs Henry Bracy Lady Wynne, Mr "William Pauli (an English baritone, who came to Australia in the early part of IS9S with tlio Madame Alhani Concert Company). Reginald Fairfax, Miss Dorothy Vane Molly Seamore, Miss Rose Musgrove Juliette Diamont, Mr Howard Vernon Marquis Imari, Aliss Tillie Woodlock the Midshipman. Air C. Kenningham Dick Cunningham, Air P. Bathurst Captain Ivatama, and Air George Lauri AVun Hi. The Alisses Perry were in the London allotment, and arrived in Australia specially to appear in the colonial productions. At Christmas time, 1899, the Pollards )M?rformed "The Geisha” for the first time in Xew Zealand at AVellington, when the Alisses Perry and Air Pauli, who finished their Williamson-Alus-grove engagement with the Pollards, essayed their original characters. The part of Lady Wynne was on that occasion filled by Aliss Jennie Opie, who, having completed an Australian tour with the Xo. 2 ‘‘Geisha’’ Company, was engaged by Air T. Pollard from Mr AVil'liamson for Xew Zealand to strengthen the ranks of the Pollard troupe. Aliss Alay Beatty was Alolly kSeamore, Aliss Gertie Campion Juliette Diamont, Air Alfred Stephens the AlurquLs, Aliss Lily Alowbray the Alidshipman, Air C. Carter Dick Cunningham, Mr E. Fitts Captain Ivatama, and Mr W. S. Percy AVun Hi. The Alisses Perry and Mr Pauli, having finished their Australian engagements, shortly afterwards returned to England. In June of the same year j the Pollards revived it in Dunedin. Aliss Alay Beatty was 0 Atiniosa San, Aliss Alolly O’Sullivan Xami, Aliss Jennie Opie Lady Wynne, Mr E. Fitts Reginald Fairfax, Miss AVilmot Karkock Alolly Seamore, Miss Gertie Campion Juliette Diamont, Air Stephens the Marquis, Aliss Lily Alowbray the Midshipman, Mr Carter Dick Cunningham Air O’Connor CaptaW Ivatama, and Air Fercv AVun Hi. The second and last revival by the Pollards came in August, 1901. There were minor alterations in the cast, the exceptions being that Aliss Nellie Wilson interpreted Ladv Wynne, Air D. O’Connor

The Revival of the “Ccish?..”

Reginald Fairfax, and Air E. Ralston filled the character of Captain Katama. “The Geisha” has, of course, been staged by amateur oganisations in several of the New Zealand towns and the 'forthcoming production in Gisborne is, as wo have indicated, being awaited with the utmost interest.