THE SPHERE, JANUARY 14, 1939

"THE MIKADO" SCREENED
FOR THE FIRST TIME

Episodes from the Colour Film at the Leicester
Square Theatre: Brilliant Settings and Costumes

THREE LITTLE MAIDS FROM SCHOOL The butterfly daintiness of Peep-Bo (Kathleen Naylor), Yum-Yum (Jean Colin), and Pitti-Sing (Elizabeth Paynter) is one of the many delightful features of first film version of Gilbert and Sullivan opera, The Mikado. It was arranged that the picture, which is entirely in colour, should have its premiere this week at the Leicester Square Theatre, all of the proceeds of the first presentation going to the Boy Scouts' Appeal Fund.

TWO NEWCOMERS AND ONE OLD HAND Jean Colin (Yum-Yum) and Kenny Baker (Nanki-Poo), both of whom are newcomers to Gilbert and Sullivan, make a romantic pair, while Martyn Green, who has so often portayed Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, on the stage, reveals that he has film sense in a high degree. The picture has been made at Pinewood Studios.

"A MORE HUMANE MIKADO NEVER DID IN JAPAN EXIST": John Barclay gives a fine performance in the title role of the film which was scheduled to begin its London run this week at the Leicester Square Theatre.	THE MARCH OF THE MIKADO'S TROOPS: Nanki-Poo (Kenny Baker) in a colourful street scene in Titipu. The fact that colour photography has made such immense strides of late contributes largely to The Mikado's screen success.

"SO, IN SPITE OF ALL TEMPTATION, SUCH A THEME I'LL NOT DISCUSS, AND ON NO CONSIDERATION WILL I KISS YOU FONDLY THUS," says Nanki-Poo (Kenny Baker) as he salutes his beloved Yum-Yum (Joan Colin).	"ONE LITTLE MAID IS A BRIDE, YUM-YUM — TWO LTTLE MAIDS IN ATTENDANCE COME — THREE LITTLE MAIDS IS THE TOTAL SUM": Peep-Bo (Kathleen Naylor), Yum-Yum (Joan Colin), and Pitti-Sing (Elizabeth Paynter). The last named is better known to Gilbert and Sullivan fans as Elizabeth Nickell-Lean.

"DEFER, DEFER, TO THE LORD HIGH EXECUTIONER": Martyn Green is no stranger to the part of Ko-Ko and in the film he is as striking a figure as ever. His green tunic and wine-coloured tunic make an effective combination.	"MIYA SAMA, MIYA SAMA, ON N'M-MA NO MAYE NE PIRA-PIRA SURU NO WA NAN GIA NA TOKO TON YARE TON YARE NA: The dramatic entrance of the Mikado is another colourful moment in this colourful version of the opera.

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