To the Editor of the "Nonrn-Cuixa DatLy News."
Sim—In connexion with- the discussion with regard to gagging in "The Mikado," may I add that at performance of this play at Dublin on April 17, 1924, I heard Mr. Lytton depart' from the text in the same way as that now being complained of, thus:—
Mikado: Gone abroad? Ko-Ko: The Curragh.
His address!
This took place just after the resignation of Sir John French and the officers at the Curragh; evidently this form of variation is no. novelty in this.single phrase. There seems to be no precedent for any other modifications, Tam, ete, Shanghai, Nov. 1 1924, To the Editor of the "NontH-Cuina Dany News.
Sin—Referring to "gagging" in "The Mikado," Henry Lytton in his "Secrets of a Savoyard," page 5 wrttes:— ought perhaps to answer criticisms which are often aid ist me when, as Ko-ko in 'The Buikado,' I do not follow the text by saying that Nunki-Poo's address is Knightsbridge. T admit I substitute the name of verne locality more familiar to the audience te-fore whom we are playing... Knightsbridge is named" in the opera because, just. before it was! written, 'a small Japanese colony had settled in that inner suburb London. Gilbert, there; fore, in his search for local colour' for his forthcoming opera, had not to travel to Tokio, but found it almost on his doorstep newt his hen in South Kensington.
"When. *The Mikado" was} Produced at the Savoy, the significance of the reference to a London audience was obvious and amusing enough, but it was a different mat ter when the opera was sent into the provinces. Gilbert. accordingly gave instructions that the place was to be located, and there' was and always is something very diver ing to, aay, a Liverpool audience in the unexpected announcement. that i-Poo, the great Mikado's, son, living at Wigan. What want to make clear is that, so far from any liberty being taken on my part, this little variation is folly authorized, and it ts the only instance of the' kind in the whole
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.