No 42 -- Summer 1994 Edited by Michael Walters
Athlone M.S. was founded in 1902 and has previously performed this opera in 1908, 1947 and 1964. The director of the current production, Johnny Worthy, decided to break with tradition and present the work as an American musical. Few liberties were taken with the music (played on a 12-piece orchestra) apart from the absence of a bass drum and the extra enthusiasm of an overworked percussionist. It was decided to speak, not sing, the recitatives. On more than one occasion the introduction to a musical number began before the character had finished speaking.
The men's chorus was a mixture of Samurai warriors and 20th century Japanese (or American-in-Japan) businessmen. In addition, four youths, wearing denims, T-shirts and baseball caps, commented throughout on the action with unbecoming gestures. Departure from the original text was commonplace. Nanki-Poo (crooner Tommy O'Brien) wore blue jeans and a green and black top in Act 1; his wedding costume was a purple outfit from a production of KISMET. Terry Jackson's corpulent Pish-Tush (in red kimono) was in stark contrast to the suave, debonair Pooh-Bah (Harry Smith), who merely spoke his lines. The latter wore a top hat & furled umbrella, which looked incongruous with red kimono and redder cummerbund. The programme stated that Bernard Coyle (Ko-Ko) was judged the best comedian of 1991 by the Association of Irish Musical Societies. He certainly played Ko-Ko for laughs. The "little list" was re-written to refer to the former Head of [Irish] Government, his alleged business dealings and unproved political chicanery. It was difficult to hear "Tit willow", as the audience roared their ribs out. Nanki-Poo's address was given as Tullamore. [That's where David Skelly lives, but otherwise the significance escapes me! Ed.]
The chorus of schoolgirls entered from the back of the auditorium wearing kimonos and traditional Japanese hairstyles. Later they donned sunglasses and swaggered like American tourists in Japan. The three little maids were not unwary, they appeared to have been freed, not from a seminary but from a strip club. Peep-bo (Dairine Ni Dhonnchadha) was much taller than the others, and sang Pitti-Sing's line in the Madrigal. Every time the latter (Martina English) opened her mouth to speak, she collapsed into giggles. Majella Flanigan was a forceful Yum-Yum. Katisha was played by a man (Colin Barrett); his antics (mincing steps and a silly grin) had the audience rolling in the aisles during the Act 1 finale. "Hearts do not break" was omitted. Edward Farrell was a jovial Mikado, but treated Katisha roughly. All the chorus remained on stage till the end of "See how the fates". Declan Corcoran's set and the lighting were perfect. The set was the same for both acts, Ko-Ko's garden with cherry blossom and a bridge crossing a stream.
DAVID SKELLY
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