Opera Scotland

Mikado 1922D'Oyly Carte Opera Company

Read more about the opera Mikado

Still widely regarded as the best, and possibly the most popular of the Savoy operas, The Mikado was the only work to receive two performances during the Dundee week - Tuesday evening and Saturday matinee.

Details of performances at other venuew to be confirmed.

 

A Dundee Review

Dundee Advertiser: Wednesday, December 20 1922    p4

Savoy Opera in Dundee - The Mikado at the King’s Theatre

'The performance of The Mikado at the King’s Theatre, Dundee, last night by the D’Oyly Carte Company was one of the best ever given in the city of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas within anything like recent years, and the huge audience put the seal of popular approval upon it by redemanding practically every one of its familiar and melodious numbers. The freshness of the singing, the warmth of the colour schemes, and the spirited deportment of the principals - all worked together to heighten effect, and from the close of the opening chorus to the stirring finale in Ko-Ko’s garden the players had their audience living and moving with them and sharing in the luckless Ko-Ko’s fortunes.

'Since its last appearance in Dundee, The Mikado has been re-dressed on a magnificent scale, and the gorgeous setting last night considerably enhanced the excellent work of the Titiputians. The tone combination is admirable and far removed from the flamboyant and glaring.  The movement of the play has been broadened considerably, but still keeps well to tradition; and the result in both cases tended to a free and delightful rendering.

'The music was of a high level, the chorus singing with good tone and spirit. “We are gentlemen of Japan” was given with breadth and pomp; and the ladies’ treatment of “Braid the raven hair” was tuneful, but lacking a little in vim. The orchestra, too, gave a distinctly good account of themselves, although an occasional blurred brass entry and just that shade of a semi-quaver difference marked now and again the usual contention between vocalists and band. Mr Norris cannot be blamed for that, however, and he marks the singing phrase with care and precision.

'Mr Lytton makes an inimitable figure of the Lord High Executioner; and knows just how far to go in safety as a laughter-maker. His introduction of the Prohibitionist to his “little list” might not have pleased Gilbert so much as the audience, but it was an excellent topical hit. Mr Sheffield’s Pooh-Bah is every whit as funny, and his mannerisms and elephantine revels in the scene with the Mikado never fail to score. His singing is as good as ever. A newcomer in Mr Leo Darnton filled the part of Nanki-Poo with credit and distinction. He is a robust tenor with a fine stage sense, and “A Wandering Minstrel” and his duet with Yum-Yum, “Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted?” were splendidly carried through. Mr Sydney Granville lent distinction to Pish-Tush, and it was a pleasure throughout to listen to his fine baritone quality. Another excellent stranger to Dundee was Mr Darrell Fancourt, and his Mikado had all the grimness any one could desire. He has a big voice of fine quality, and not a word or point is missed.

'The ladies were particularly tuneful and vivacious, and Miss Elsie Griffin was well suited as Yum-Yum. That delightful bit of melody “The sun and I” was charmingly sung, the freshness of her upper register and her beautiful clarity of utterance making it notable. Miss Catherine Ferguson was a delightfully skittish Pitti-Sing, and, with Miss Eileen Sharp as Peep-Bo made the “Three Little Maids” pleasing and artistic. Miss Bertha Lewis’s Katisha could not be improved upon, her noble voice and presence touching true Savoy standards. “Hearts do not break” was a little gem.

'The numerous delightful concerted numbers were splendidly sung, “The Criminal Cried,” “Here’s a How-de-do!” “So please you, sir,” and the ever-welcome Madrigal being enthusiastically redemanded.'