CREDITABLE PERFORMANCES OF "THE MIKADO."
At the Drill Hall, on Thursday evening, the Lyme Regis Choral and Operatic Society made its first appearance in operatic roll, when Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "The Mikado'' was presented. The curtain rose to a well filled hall, and it was soon apparent that the audience was a very appreciative one. The well-deserved enthusiasm was unstinted. In the first act, the scene of which was the courtyard of Ko-Ko's official residence, there was plenty of scope for the chorus, which throughout was well balanced, while the attack and finish were good and suggested thorough practice with the stimulus of keen interest on the part of each performer. The conductor's control of his company was remarkable, and he is certainly to be congratulated on the result of his energies, which must necessarily be expended on training and, later, in polishing the rough corners of individual and concerted items.
A prominent feature of the performance was the splendid elocution of the principals, while the work throughout was excellently dramatised, where such element was required. The difficulties of stage management when space is limited cannot be eliminated altogether, but in this case they seemed to have been surmounted most satisfactorily, and much credit is due to the stage manager in this direction.
As the Mikado Dr. Taylor appeared to be eminently suited, and portrayed the eccentricities of that exalted personage with much success. The efforts of Nanki-Poo (his son) - Mr. A. Camplin - as an ardent then disappointed lover proves that the part had been well studied. What he lacked in vocal power in some of the more difficult scores falling to him he made up for in his wooing of Yum-Yum. En passant, it may be said that the absence of any outstanding vocal ability, which, aggravated by the lack of orchestral accompaniment, was the one weak point of the performance.
In Mr. F. G. Isbell the Society possesses an artist of no mean talent, and the role of Ko-Ko could not have been placed in more capable hands. The thoroughly humorous interpretation of his part, and the polished manner in which he adapted himself to his elevated rank of Lord High Executioner was worthy of the highest praise. Mr. A. Forty as Pooh-Bah was excellently suited for his part, and worked really hard with much success in his numerous offices while Mr. W. Martin did well and seemed quite at home as Pish-Tush.
Of the ladies, Miss M. Taylor made a dainty and vivacious Yum-Yum, and her acting and singing were most pleasing, and well-merited admiration was not denied her, while her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, were quite "Japanese" in all they did, and did well. Katisha, although not an easy role to fill, was very well acted by Mrs. P. A. Richards, who gave herself up to the belated love-making of Po-Po (sic) with calm resignation.
A word of praise is due to Mrs. George (pianist) for the efficient rendering she gave of the musical score of the opera.
The performance was repeated on Friday evening before a large and enthusiastic audience, and at the close there were repeated calls for the conductor and the principals in the caste.
To all concerned the utmost credit is due for a decidedly praiseworthy performance.