OPERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 4

OPERA.

" THE MIKADO." The Williamson, Garner, and Husgrove Opera Company presented Gilbert and Sullivan's famous Japanese success The Mikado, at the Theatre Royal last night, to a good and thoroughly appreciative downstairs audience. The opeia is always a great favourite amongst Christchurch audiences for its bright music, humorous plot, and the opportunity which it gives for the display of richly-coloured costumes. Miss Clara Merivale's Yum-Yutn is apparently one of her most successful parts, the music suits her voice, and she acts with judgment and life. Iv the eoag "The Sun whosa Rays" and the trio, " Here's a How-de-do," her voice told to advantage, and in the very numerous opportunities she bad to score with her acting, she was thoroughly artistic and consistent. Pitti Sing (Miss Katie Potter) and Peep-130 (Miss May Pollard), with Miss MtrivalG, made a pretty trio aa tho " Three Little Maids." They sang that famed trio so well that it earned a loud encore ; and the acting of these young ladies was always good. As .Katisha, Miss Fannie Liddiard hardly has the physique we are wont to associate with the part. .But she makes the most of her statuie, and in the latter part of her solo, "Oh Fool, that Fleost," both acting and singing wera sufficiently characteristic of the thwarted and deserted old maid. Her even voice was again heard to advantage in the recitative, "Alone, and Yet Alive," and in its companion song, " Hearts Do Not Break"; while she shared honours with Mr Vernon (Ko-Ko) in their duet "There's Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast." Her acting in the finale with Ko-Ko fully sustained the conception of her rdle. Mr Howard Vernon's Ko-Ko loses no jot of interest by repetition, but rather meilows, and gains by the actor's long experience little touches and additions that make it one of the best comic opera parts seen here. In the "Little List" song, and "Taken From a County Gaol," though in the latter eong the orchestra was rather astray, his facial expression and vocal intonation were as happy as ever. In " Here's a How-de-do," Mb acting largely helped to secure tho encore vouchsafed, while the equally good work done with Nanki-Poo in the duet "The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring," scored honours again. The "Tit-willow" song, too, secured a similar compliment, and ! that most amusing scene with Katisha, in which they minister consolation to each j other, wa3 a deeply humorous etudy. The difficult part of Nanki-Poo was fairly well filled by Mr C. H. Leumane, who sang his pretty waltz song, " A Wandering Minstrel," in good voice. He was also good in his concerted music. Mr H. M. lmano'd good-quality baritone was in capital order last night, and his make-up was excellent, though perhaps a little too advanced in years, as Pooh-Bah. His " Young Men, Despair," was cleverly eung, and in tue solo in which he drinks "Long life to Nanki Poo," his phrasing and articulation were highly appreciable. Hiß acting as the Lord High Everything Else was well fitted to that dignitary's many pos s. Mr TV. Johnson made a good-deal out of the part of the Mikado, and sang hid solo, "A More Humane Mikado," so well as to win an encore. His acting | throughout was highly creditable, without [ being at all overdone. The part of Pish- ! Tush was well performed by Mr T. Grundy, who sang tunefully, and acted intelligently. The famous " Madrigal" quartette was hardly the success it might have been, but the choruses were correct and well balanced throughout. The opera was admirably • dressed and mounted, arid j should draw a good house to-night.