1895 REVIVAL
as seen by "The Sketch"
This material was published in the issues dated 8 and 15 January 1896.
Jessie Bond as Pitti-Sing. |
"THE MIKADO"
Two lustrums, as Sir Pinto Wanklyn would say — unless he used, more accurately, "lustra" — have gone by since London went mad over "The Mikado." and, unless diplomatic messages are received from Japan as to unworthy treatment of the high officials of the island, one may believe that even centuries may go by ere the world is weary of Mr. Gilbert's pungent wit and Sir Arthur Sullivan's dainty musical humour. In speaking of the revival, the curious mind is caught by the fact that the three present members of the old company have names beginning with B, Barrington, Bond, and Brandram: in 1885 there were two other B's, Braham and Bovil! In his book called "The Savoy Opera," Mr. Percy Fitzgerald says that the original Yum-Yum was Miss Ulmar, and Pitti-Sing Miss A, Cole; but it seems clear that the manufacturer of the book had the wrong programme. Certainly the three B's remain, and are a delightful set of players — all fine comedians, and two of them charming vocalists. Luckily, too, there is little to regret anywhere in the cast. Were comparisons graceful, they could be drawn with trifling balance in favour of the present. Consequently the older folk had no better performance than the younger, and to-day or to-morrow you can see the brilliant play, and listen to the ever-youthful music, confidently feeling that Mr. Walter Passmore, Mr. Kenningham, Mr. Scott Fishe, and Miss Emmie Owen equal, as a collection, their predecessors, while time has but ripened the powers of Miss Jessie Bond, Mr. Rutland Barrington, and Miss Rosina Brandram. There is not a pleasanter entertainment in London than you can get at the Savoy.
Produced March 14, 1885 | Revived Nov. 6, 1895 | |
The Mikado | Mr. Richard Temple | Mr. Scott Fishe |
Nanki-Poo | Mr. Durward Lely | Mr. Charles Kenningham |
Ko-Ko | Mr. George Grossmith | Mr. Walter Passmore |
Pooh-Bah | Mr. Rutland Barrington | Mr. Rutland Barrington |
Pish-Tush | Mr. Frederic Bovill | Mr. Jones Hewson |
Yum-Yum | Miss Leonora Braham | Miss Florence Perry |
Pitti-Sing | Miss Jessie Bond | Miss Jessie Bond |
Peep-Bo | Miss Sybil Grey | Miss Emmie Owen |
Katisha | Miss Rosina Brandram | Miss Rosina Brandram |
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Page modified 18 Nov 2020