 | Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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| Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society relish a taste of history. Why else would they splash out with The Mikado this week? Why else indeed! As if the show's well-loved music and comedy and rich Oriental setting are not enough. And yes, the society appreciate all these fine qualities. But this is, after all, the centenary year of the opera that many adoring G & S fans would put at the top of their list. So all praise to this bright young Christchurch society - still 98 years off their own century - for bringing such a celebration treat to the Regent Centre. The audiences can take their hats off to the young man whose personal triumph it is. Nigel Finch was only 21 when he founded the society last year and achieved a surprisingly successful debut production with Iolanthe. Since then he has started a career as a maths teacher at Poole Grammar School - and clearly vowed not to rest on his early musical laurels. Conscious, perhaps, of having stepped into the historical spotlight with this year's production, he has gone to a lot of trouble to get every detail right. The splendid costumes and fans have been hired from former D'Oyly Carte specialists. As for the cast, they can stand up to any | amount of gelding. Several of the principals are new this year, including Paul Quain of Ferndown, who has taken over the role of the Mikado's son, Nanki Poo, at the last minute. No one would guess. He is confidently in command from the moment he launches into song with A Wandering Minstrel I. Susan Kemp, of Lymington, is beautifully poised playing opposite him as Yum-Yum - never more so than in her rendering of The Sun Whose Rays. Her voice has real quality. Southbourne actor Paul Morton must be one of the youngest Lord High Executioners ever. He celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday. And he can go on celebrating, for he stamps very much his own winning style on the part. Leonard Godfrey booms amusingly as Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) and more youthful talent is seen from Paul Galloway as Pish-Tush. Sheila Godfrey brings a welcome flamboyance to the ageing and menacing Katisha, and Mike Kilanko, the society's chairman, strikes a magnificent figure as The Mikado. Rebecca Sullivan and Sarah Cronin, as Yum-Yum's sisters give noble support with the chorus of Japanese gentlemen and schoolgirls. Nigel Finch and Claire Morton share musical accompaniment honours on two pianos and Rita Galloway is musical director. | |||