To Follow “The Mikado.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1907, Page 28

To Follow “The Mikado.”

Having interdicted “The Mikado” in order to please the Japanese, the Government, it is rumoured, intend to continue to censor our dramatic literature, remarks a facetious London paper. No further preformance, it is understood of “Hamlet,” either with or without scenery, will he allowed, since it is felt to be a serious affront to the Danish people to suggest that the throne of their country was once occupied by a fratricide with, at the same time, a madman as the heir-apparent. The inclusion of the following dreadful song in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Ruddigore” will probably cause serious representations to be made to Mrs. D’Oyly Carte not to revive that work at the Savoy Theatre: — Then our captain, e’ ups. fin' 'e sez, sez 'e, “That chap we need not fear; We can take 'er if we like— She's certain for to strike. For she's only a darned mounseer, d'ye see? She's only a darned mounseer. “An’ to fight a French fal-lal is like aliittiu’ of a gal; It’s a lubberly thing for to do. And we. with all our faults, Are hardy British salts. While she’s only a parley-voo, d’ye see? A miserable parley voo." The Foreign Office feel that the entente cordiale would be no longer possible if this shocking ditty were again sung in the West End. Strong representations have been received from China against the performance of “San Toy,” the main objection being to the character of Yen How, the mandarin, whose six wives would lead the British public to imagine that the customs of Salt Lake City were common in the Celestial Empire. Should Mr. Lewis Waller or any other actor-manager desire to revive “Henry V.” the Government will insist that the Kaiser’s feelings shall not be outraged by the inclusion of the lines giving the origin of the Salic Law, which, according to Shakespeare—evidently an ignorant hater of Teuton—was owing to “the dishonest manners” of German women. The Italian Government have suggested that “The Merchant of Venice”.gives an altogether unreliable account of Italian jurisprudence, and that “Romeo and Juliet” is a libel on Italian manners. Both plays, it is understood, will shortly be forbidden by the Lord ChamberlainIt is also considered likely that in compliment to King Alfonso, “Carmen,” with its absurd picture of the Spanish people, will not in future be performed at Covent Garden. A comittee of Scotch Radical members has been formed to prevent any further performance of “Macbeth.” the idea that a Scotsman of eminence should take counsel with witches being most obnoxious to the people north of the Tweed, and strong representations are being made to the Colonial Office by a number of leading Australian aborigines to delete the libellous character of Jacky from “It's Never Too Late to Mend." Nearly a hundred dramas on the subject of Nihilism will be forbidden in order to please the Russian Government and make an alliance with that country possible.