“THE MIKADO”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10264, 7 December 1926, Page 5

“THE MIKADO”

MUSICAL AND HUMOROUS GEM G. AND S. REVIVAL SEASON That musical and humorous gem of the Gilkiert and Sullivan’s operas ‘The Mikado’ was presented by the J. (], Williamson Company before an enthusiastic audience that packed the Opera House last evening. The .audinece revelled in the charming songs and sparkling humor that permeates the opera, and their delight was enhanced by tho colorful costumes aud Japanese . settings which were brilliantly set off by the zest with which the performers entered into their work. No more enthusiastic house has possibly ever been 6een in Gisborne and at the close so insistent was the approbation that the curtain had to be rung up four times.

The story revolves round the romance of Yum-Yumy , the most (•harming of the three wards of Koko, Lord High Executioner of the City of Titipu, and Nanki Poo, the Mikado’s son, who becomes a strolling minstrel rather than marry Katisha, with a face “like a fried boot, but famed for her left shoulder Made”. On the eve of preparations for the wedding of Koko and Yum Yum, Nanki Poo arrives and is distracted to find that she will be lost .to him, so resolves on suicide. Meantime Koko has incurred the Mikado’s displeasure by his lack of executions, and decrees that a beheading must take place immediately. Nanki Poo offers his head for a month of marriage with Yum Yum, who cools off on finding that she must be buried alive. The Mikado on arrival is regaled with a gory story of the supposed execution of Nanki Poo, but then orders that Koko be executed for decapitating the heir to the throne. Pardon is granted him on marrying the dreaded Katisha and the play ends happily with the reunion of Nanki Poo and Yum Yum In the role of Koko Charles Walcnn portrays the part of the bloodthirsty but chicken-hearted executioner with remarkable ability. v His .gesticulations, facial expressions and spoken lines were delivered with such expression that could not do other than provoke uproarious laughter. He scored a marked success with his ceremonial entrance in his solo “Behold the Lord' High Executioner”, arid followed it with “Some Day It May Happen”, in which his antics convulsed the house. In the trios with John Ralston and Patti Russell “Here’s a How-de-do if I Marry Y r ou”, “The Criminal Cried as lie Dropped Him Down” and “I Am So Proud” lie also scored notable hits. Probably his most mirth-provoking numbers were “The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring” ip a quartette with Patti Russell, John Ralston and Loo Darn ton, liis antics convulsing the house, and even when he had responded to four recalls the audience demanded! more. His solo “On a Tree by the River a Little Tomtit sang Willow Tit Willow” was excruciatingly funny, and his duet with Winifred Williamson “There is a Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast” provoked much mirth. John Ralston made a. splendid Pooh Bah, holder of all the offices—and all the salaries—in Titipu, His naturally droll manner and deliberate speech and dignified mien indicated that he was excellently cast, and his delivery of liis spoken lines was splendid. He was heard to advantage in the trio with Leo Darnton “And Have I Journeyed for a Month”. As Nanki Poo, son of the Mikado, who becomes a strolling minstrel, Leo Darnton scored an instantaneous success, and bis solo “A Wand’ring Minstrel I” ; and his duet with Patti Russell 1 “Were You Not to lioko Plighted?” I were most delightfully rendered. Pat- j ti Russell made a' charming Yum Yum and delighted the audience with her solo “Hie Sun whose Rays are all Ablaze” and .in the trio with Peep Bo (Nancy Horn) and PittiSing (Effie Armstrong), “Three Little Maids from School” captivated the house, who recalled the trio several times. In the quintette “So Please 0 on, Sir We Much Regret” she was also excellent, and in the madrigal “Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day” scored a marked success. As Pitti Sing, Effie Armstrong gained immediate popularity ancl her solo “Braid the Raven Hair” was delightfully rendered. The Mikado of Japan was splendidly portrayed by Bernard Manning, who was enthusiastically •recalled for his solo “A More Hu mane Mikado Never Did Exist”. In the role of Pish Tush Lance Fairfax portrayed his part well and his solo “0 Great Mikado, Virtuous Man” j was enthusiasticallv applauded. The difficult part of Katisha was splendidly interpreted by Winifred Williamson, who admirably depicted the woman scorned in lovo ancl she gave a fine rendering; of “Alone ancT YetAlive” for which she was warmly recalled. e

Tlie ■ensemble singing both male and female was delightful, the tone and balance being splendidly preserved throughout' the many difficult numbers, while the orchestra under the baton of Gustave Slapoffski eon tributed much to the delightfulness ■of the \vl\ple performance. To-night “lolanthe” will he staged. The box plan is at Miller’s Corner.