WANGANUI.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 35, 29 August 1891, Page 321

WANGANUI.

Dear Dee, August 12. The public of Wanganui have been afforded a great treat on three evenings lately, by the staging of the well-known and popular opera of Gilbert and Sullivan’s composition, the ‘ Mikado,’ by the members of the Wanganui Musical and Dramatical Association. The Society have already put on before a Wanganui audience the following:—‘Current Cash,’ • lolanthe,’ etc., all of which were well received, and creditably peiformed. In the opinions of many the Association, in proposing to stage the ‘Mikado,’ were undertaking more than they were capable of, but, fortunately, the management of the Association is composed of men who believe that where there’s a will there is also a way, so once having made up their minds to put the opera on, they lost no time in putting their intentions into a practical shape. All who were dubious at the outset of the undertaking were, without exception, after having witnessed the performance, ready to acknowledge that they had been pleasantly surprised. After some months of most active and persevering rehearsal, the Wanganui amateurs appeared for the first time in the * Mikado ’ opera. The house, though not crammed, was a good one, several ladies being present in evening costume, amongst whom I noticed MisFitzmaurice, Miss Blanche Moore (of Nelson, who is at present on a visit to Wanganui), Mrs Barnicoat, Miss Peat, Mrs Cornyns, Mrs Potter, etc. Almost at the eleventh hour a difficulty arose, which it was feared at first would delay the staging of the opera, Mr Fairburn, who was cast for the important character of Nanki Poo, the lover of Yum-Yum, having caught a severe cold, which rendered singing (of which there is a good deal in the part) quite out of the question. Fortunately, an excellent and most willing acceptance of the part was received at the hands of Mr W. H. G. Foster, mine host of the well-known Wanganui hostelry, the Steam Packet Hotel, who, although he was deprived of the necessary amount of time for rehearsal of such an important part as that assigned, yet sustained it in an admirable manner. Mr Foster appeared most to advantage in his rendition of the well-known solo, *A Wandering Minstrel I,’ and in the part-singing, too, he rendered valuable assistance ; and taking into consideration the shortness of notice he had, his conception of the part is deserving of very great credit. The character of the Mikado was invested with the highest possible degree of dignity by Mr E. Withers, who wore the handsome dress appropriate to such a high dignitary, and in the song and chorus, ‘ My Object All Sublime,’ he was greatly instrumental in rendering it in the effective and telling manner in which it was given. Mr Withers appeared to advantage in his conception of the part where he comes on the stage in quest of his lost son, Nanki Poo, and after having been informed by Ko-Ko that his command to have a person executed has been duly carried out, he finds out that it is his lost son, Nanki Poo, that has been beheaded. The poignancy of grief that would naturally follow was well sustained at the hands of Mr Withers. Perhaps the most meritorious part in the performance, and without a doubt the one upon which the most business devolved, was that of Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner of Titipu, as played by Mr W. M. Davidson, in the comic element of which there is a good deal in the opera, more especially in the second act. He made the best * bits ’ of the evening, and each night he was undoubtedly the greatest in favour with the large audiences that packed the Oddfellows’ Hall each evening. The potent and dignified personage of Pooh Bah, Lord High Everything Else, found the worthiest acceptance at the hands of Mr J. W. Day, whose fine, manly, and robust physique was perfectly in keeping with the dignified and haughty manner to be assumed. The manyand anrusinglittle witty pointsof dialogue which intersperses the opera were given in a most telling and effective manner by Mr Day, and although suffering considerably from a bad throat, his vocal efforts, too, were by no means inferior to the histrionic ability which he disfdayed. His little son as Ko-Ko’s sword-bearer, did the ittle he had to do well, and it was somewhat amusing what deference was paid to him by the adult members of the chorus when he received from Ko-Ko the murderous looking weapon with which the executionary commands of the Mikado were carried out. Mr Norrie was cast for the part of Pish Tush, a noble lord, and he gave very material assistance in the concerted vocal items, but his enunciation appeared to be his weakest point. Miss E. Gerse gave a most pleasing and faithful representation of the important part ot Yum-Yum, and her rendition of the character showed the most careful study, and very great natural talent and aptitude. In the scene where she finds her lover, Nanki Poo, and subsequeQtly learns that he is doomed to be beheaded, and it she marries

him it means burying alive for her, Miss Gerse gave a most vivid portrayal of the natural feelings which would arise under such trying ciicumstances. In the vocal efforts Miss Gerse appeared undoubtedly to most advantage in the solo, • The Sun Whose Rays.’ Miss Pawson and Miss Withers, respectively, assumed the characters of Pitti Sing and Peep 80, both of whom acquitted themselves admirably. Tn the trio, ‘Three Little Maids From School Are We,’ these two last-mentioned young ladies, together with Miss Gerse, fairly brought down the house for their coquettish and pleasing rendition of this always popular ditty, and they received a vociferous encore. The difficult character of Katisha, an elderly lady in love with Nanki Poo, was capitally and cleverly sustained by Miss Lilly Kitchen, who invested the part with a large amount of business. The resentment assumed at finding her lover, Nanki Poo, had found greater attraction in Yum-Yum is worthy of particular praise. Miss Kitchen rendered the solo, ‘ Hearts Do Not Break,’ in a telling and pathetic manner, for which she received a well-deserved encore. In the dance with Ko-Ko this young lady also made one of the most successful ‘ hits’ of the evening, resulting in another recall. The costumes which cost something like £l5O, were really handsome, and reflect very great credit upon the local establishment of Messrs Nicholas and Kennington, by whom they were turned out. Mr A. Martin, who has only just removed his photographic studio to much more modern and extensive premises, has executed a number of large portraits of the principals in the opera, and they were on view for some little time before the opera was staged, and were universally admired. The scenery on the stage was specially painted for the opera by Mr T. H. Battle, and added much to the appearance of those taking part in the performance. Able assistance was rendered in this direction by Mrs Lennie Jones. Two large Japanese lilies on the proscenium wing from this lady’s brush were much admired. The music was supplied by the Wanganui Orchestral Club, under the conductorship of Mr J. K. Manning, and rendered valuable service. The duties of pianist were, in the absence of Mrs Charles Greenwood, owing to her recent bereavement, ably performed by Mrs Meek (nee Willis), who formerly for many years acted in a similar capacity to the Wanganui Harmonic Society. To Mr W. J. Blake, stage manager, and Mr J. H. Keesing, chairman, too much credit cannot be ascribed for the manner in which all arrangements were carried out. Though each night of the performance the attendance was very large, yet perhaps if anything the last night was the most numerously attended. It was undoubtedly the most fashionable. The pupils attending both the Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges were present, the latter in charge of their head mistress, Miss Harrison. There were also a large number of ladies present in the dress circle in evening dress, amongst whom 1 noticed Mesdames Empson, Gifford, Marshall, W. F. Russell, Mrs (Dr.) Earle, Mrs A. Atkins, Mrs Harry Hole, Mrs Turner, Mrs (Dr.) Skerman (of Marton) Mrs Alex. Hatiick, Miss Russell, the Misses Earle, with whom was Miss Wilford of the Hutt, Miss Jessie Taylor, Misses Cameron of Marangai, Miss Ralston, of Foxton, besides several others, all of whom appeared to Ire very pleased with the performance. In all likelihood the opera will shortly be again put on, when Mr Fairburn will assume the character of Nanki Foo, which was so well sustained in the performances already given by Mr W. H. G. Foster. We are to have plenty of amusements this week. The annual concert and dance, held under the auspices of the Turakura Football Club, is to be held in the Turakura Town Hall. Several local amateurs are going to take part in the concert, and most of them will, I expect, be prevailed upon to stay to the dance. I will give you an account of it in my next. There are several other items to tell you about—a conversazione in the large hall adjoining St. Paul’s Church, also the monthly social in connection with the ladies of the Church of England Working Guild. The latter is always well attended, and certainly fends to bring the members of the congregation together. A number of vocal and instrumental items are rendered, and liberal refreshments are dispensed during the evening, which renders it more of a social nature than it otherwise would be ; but this letter is already too long.

Dorothy.