Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-16
EMMA ABBOTT IN "MIKADO.,
Yum Yum's Waddling Gait, Her
Japanese squirt, and thc Ea-
nous Abbott Kiss.

The first performance OF Gilbert and
Sullivan's "Mikado," by the Emma Alb
bolt Opera Company, took place in
Cleveland, Ohio, last week, and went ex
ceedingly well, says the Cleveland Plain
Dealer. Encores were numerous, and
the audience, which filled the Opera
House, was delighted. unsteady it was
the first perfect production in this city,
and from dramatic standpoint it lacked
nothing to make it perfect except the
dash and finesse which familiarity will
give. To those acquainted with the
charming music OF this opera yesterdays
performance was treat and a revelation;
and naturally enough, for the Abbott
Company is the first grand opera COM
pany to produce it. The cast was:
Yum Yum. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Emma Abbott
FIFTH Sing ...................La Laura Bellini
Heep BOO '.'''...'...... ...Jessle Oyler
hatlsna. .................. lizzie Annandale
The Mikado. ............W William Pruette
ko-Ko. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Fred Dixon
Nankl-Poo. ..................A. Montetfrlffo
Poo-Bah. ................W William Broderick
Pish-Tush. .....................T. j. Bryant
OF the opera itself there is no occasion
here to speak. Gilbert has not con-
structed any thing quite so funny since
'Pinafore." The music mt times is
charming and catchy and again imposing
and difficult TO properly interpret. As is
consistent, much OF the music is Japan
ese, both in chorus and solo work. The
first rising OF the curtain upon the chorus
in picturesque japanese attitudes showed
that the opera has been thoroughly and
properly rehearsed. As the work pro-
crosses, bits of acting, walking, running
and dancing demonstrated that the com
pany had been trained by somebody who
had studied the original London produc-
ton. Although the scene of the "Mika-
do" should be laid first in KoKo's palace
courtyard, then in his garden, no at
tempt was made to change the scene yes
terday. The stage, however, was ele-
gantly set and though the scenery and ac-
cessories were not copies OF the original,
they were satisfactory. One OF the best
efforts in the performance was the trio of
the three sisters, "Three Little Maids
From School" The makeup of Misses
Abbott, Bellini and Oyler was thoroughly
japanese they had the walk peculiar to
that country, and they winked their eyes
as maidens OF Japan are supposed to do
| 4'oiiS vi tlc lpIihclpiiio anu CIlDTtlb MEM
beers forgot that they were initiating ma
tives OF Japan. Miss Emma Abbott most
cleverly personated Yum Yum. She
affected awaddling, mincing gait, had Il
comical squint in her eyes, sang admir-
ably and had opportunity to illustrate the
famous Abbott kiss Miss Laura Bellin
as Pitt Sing was graceful in her dances
and attitude, and perfect unsteady
Miss Lizzie Annandale was scarcely re-
cognizable in Katisha, so completely was
she disguised. She acted with spirit
and sang as she only can. Miss Jessie
Oyler rs Peep-Bo was in every way salts
factory, AS the Mikado, MIR. Pruette
deserves unstnted praise for his clever
acting and his magnificent singing. Mr..
Broderick's Poo-Bah was a model Mr..
Montegriffo, the original American Nanki-
Poo, sang his solo, IA Wandering Min
strel l. witt. feeling and proper effect
lie did well throughout, especially in Il
musical way. The 10 10 Of Mr.. Fred
Dickson was superior in its comedy. Mr..
/. j. Bryant will make reputation as
lish-Tush. The opera contains many
pretty airs, but the Madrigal in the sec.
ond act is certainly one OF the best musi-
cal numbers composed by Sullivan. Rich
harmony permeates it. The costumes
were gorgeous and correct in detail.
Alter a few more performances "The
Mikado" will be favorite opera in the
Abbott reDertOirp