[1926] The Mikado - D'Oyly Carte Promotional Film

Filmed in 1926, this is the oldest video of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. I added some clips of the DOC Mikado recorded the same year to give it a bit more flavor. But to get the authentic experience, you'll have to turn the sound off. :)
The Mikado ... Darrell Fancourt
Nanki-Poo ... Charles Goulding (recording: Derek Oldham)
Ko-Ko ... Henry Lytton
Pooh-Bah ... Leo Sheffield
Pish-Tush ... John Huntington
Yum-Yum ... Elsie Griffin
Pitti-Sing ... Aileen Davies
Peep-Bo ... Beatrice Elburn
Katisha ... Bertha Lewis
D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
(Disclaimer - Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.)

[@morgylyn]

My grandmother sang Gilbert and Sullivan to me instead of lullaby's .I slept very little but by the time I was five I knew every blessed song and could hum the overtures. I loved it then and I love it still. At the time of the making of the film gran would have been 27. As a costume designer I can also tell you that in spite of P.C. costume and set designers still put their ciggies out in the paint water. Thanks for sharing this treasure.

[@karldelavigne8134]

This is such an amazing document. Probably the only film showing Bertha Lewis and I only know of one other showing Lytton. The Ricketts designs were a very important part of D'Oyly Carte history.

[@richardduployen6429]

They were marvellous but it's a shame his sets weren't kept as well as the costumes. He seems to use screens. & what about his "Gondoliers"set with the chessboard floor?

[@karldelavigne8134]

@@richardduployen6429 Yes, the sets were redesigned by Peter Goffin. I think the costumes might now be in Houston, but I am not sure.

[@richardduployen6429]

@@karldelavigne8134 Thanks. The film was interesting but a bit confusing because it showed some of the original designs as well as Ricketts new ones.The Mikado's Entrance is out of sync. as Fancourt wouldn't have turned his back on the audience while singing, to tell them to bow. (One of my best acting tutors from the Guildford School of Acting, Surrey was Ian Ricketts distantly related).When amateurs had to perform from the prompt-book I remember the entrance Act l being central. (also the double-sided sun/moon fan). We see Ko-Ko and Nanki-Poo sitting centre, beginning Finale Act l, and facing upstage to put the emphasis on the people entering centre. I also liked the grey wig for Katisha as well as the black one (Ricketts). Goffin had the entrance arch Act l on a rostrum stage right. Not aspic! The sets in the sixties film are by Disley Jones but were more elaborate originally. More intimate scenes were fenced off to the fore-stage. D. C. made the mistake of some productions not being adapted to the permanent set (ugly grey against which cut out wings were placed). They could have saved even more scenery vans had they done so. Jones's sets had to be modified for touring. Such finicky adjustments may have upset the designers e. g. "Why not change Phyllis and Strephon's wigs? The wigs may not have gone well with the designed costumes.

[@dave2063]

many thanks for this..............My Grandfathers' uncle played Poo-Bah..(Leo Sheffield) gives me great joy to see this video............

[@SusannahMacDonald]

Fascinating - I grew up on G&S. Great-grandparents, grandparents and parents all sang in the operas either professionally or in amateur companies. The cast here, and Rickets, were household names. i know the operas backside forward!

[@davidtunnicliff5442]

my grandads uncle played pooh bah on this video. maybe your ancestors knew mine.

[@vanushillapro]

I would love to have been able to see some of those costumes in person, they're gorgeous!

[@stevenmathers6661]

I saw them in the theatre many times. They were stunning.

[@loril9566]

How amazing, to be transported back a century!

[@christinaarcher3341]

Thank you so much! It's a privilege to see some of the D'oyly Carte greats actually performing. (The way Charles Ricketts used to smoke, though! Blechh!) His costumes are classic.

[@ummsalam]

Congratulations CaptFitbattleaxe. Wonderful to have this made available and so well married with the audio. As with other commentators s here I was an amateur performer and actor and also directed G&S. This is simply magical and I intend to show it to my U3A class. Thank you.

[@formby2]

This is wonderful to have available at last. I've had it on video from a private source for many years, but its nice to have this available as an extra direct from the print on the DVD of the 1938 Mikado film, which, incidentally, I assisted the producers with the research on. I must just say though that the Naxos1950 transfer is not a decent one. It has to be the worst. Many people have commented on this. It makes what is actually a clear, bright recording sound like a recessed old one.

[@davidtunnicliff5442]

hi, my great uncle plays poo bah. leo sheffield.

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@davidtunnicliff5442 Wish I had seen him onstage, I was born about 40 years too late. I remember reading about his Captain Hook. At least there are the recordings.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

Too bad the Mikado entrance scene was shot from so far away. Would have loved to see the expressions of Darrell Fancourt and Bertha Lewis. Possibly the greatest Mikado and Katisha ever. Thank you so much for posting this gem on youtube.

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@begs54 Despite the dated sound, it's one of the best Mikados out there. The D'OC was in one of its golden eras. Thanks for watching!

[@begs54]

I did not realize that was Lytton & Lewis... It was a very good recording... Many thanks.!!

[@mickmikado]

Thank you ,to see this is amazing,i also liked the music so cleverly placed.Thanks again

[@FJMLAM]

What a treat-Have never seen this film before-Many thanks.

[@macphail1974]

Thank you for posting!!!!!

[@paulgarland3140]

Wonderful to see this! Many thanks!!

[@niciovega2472]

This was the D'Oyly Carte Opera in its hay day. Full cast and orchestra with proper sets and costumes. Unlike the Australian version on u tube!

[@robertaller4776]

What a treat! More please!

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@daisybtoes My favorite is the 1957 recording with Pratt as Ko-Ko. Best all-around cast. 1936 recording had less than ideal Yum-Yum & Katisha.

[@MrRichiekaye]

Mine, as well!

[@MrCuddlyable3]

Thank you for fitting sound so appropriately and sharing this treasure. I wonder what early process yielded the parts filmed in colour. The only dislike presumably comes from Katisha in her darkest mood.

[@peterzavon3012]

If I recall correctly, the color on this promotional silent film has hand tinted in those places where color appears.

[@paulgarland3140]

Fabulous! Thank you!

[@KurtRex1453]

Simply awesome!

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@jansumi Thanks much! Your Grandmother probably had the 1950 recording with Martyn Green as Ko-Ko and Leonard Osborn as Nanki-Poo. Naxos has put out a decent transfer of it. (The other recording mentioned with Pratt and Round was recorded in 1957.)

[@jansumi]

Oh my, did I ever see this reply. If I did I forgot. Thank you again! :)

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@MrSamHargreaves Without the background music, yes. You'll have to order from Amazon US, as far as I know. Just search for the 1939 Mikado; this short is a part of that DVD.

[@tanneristi]

What a piece of history!

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@begs54 That may be so, but the copy has been transferred (as you can see) for the rest of us to enjoy. Oh, and the Ko-Ko is Sir Henry Litton and the Katisha is Bertha Lewis. :)

[@jansumi]

Wow - this is fabulous. And Brrrilliant editing on inserting the clips. Thank you. I've been vainly trying to figure out which DoC recording my grandmother might have been listening to in the early 50s that i memorized as a child. I've never heard a Nanki Poo to compare. Ideas?

[@kateandphoebe]

The 1950 D'Oyly Carte recording of the Mikado features the magnificent Leonard Osborn in the tenor role of Nanki-Poo. Martyn Green stars as Ko-Ko, but remember it's easy to get confused because Martyn Green recorded the Mikado several times over the years. Here's Part 1 of that 1950 version I'm recommending, and part 2 is also posted - m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2W6fI1sZ8xmacU&pp=ygUcVGhlIE1pa2FkbyAxOTUwIE1hcnR5biBHcmVlbg%3D%3D

[@0506slow]

Ive just started my family tree and have found that i am related to the Sheffield family (originally their surnames are Wilson) Its fantastic to be able to see my great great great uncle in action!

[@davidtunnicliff5442]

that you steph?

[@daisybtoes]

@CaptFitzbattleaxe Yes, I have to agree that that's another one I really like. It is nice to hear a production with full dialog, too. I'm just sorry this Lytton production is only a couple of minutes long.

[@scot4u]

I wish some of the older ones that were filmed were avalable as i get them, ive most of the complete recordings.

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@begs54]

Thanks, i will do that!!!!

[@mikerubb]

Thanks for this.. Its funny "The Mikado" Do's not look right when not dressed in the Rickett costumes..

[@begs54]

Yes, I agree as well. The Pratt/Drummond Grant recording was and still is the best all around cast. Why, it's beyond me it has never been released on a cd. If anyone knows of where one could obtain a cd of it, I would appreicate it.......

[@begs54]

This was just fanastic!!! I had heard about the promotional film Rupert D'Oyly Carte had made for Rickett's new design of The Mikado. Also, I had read the only copy of this film was housed at the British Film Institute? That correct? Love Peter Pratt & Ann Drummond Grant for the back ground music!!!

[@peterzavon3012]

The late Peter Parker, son of long time secretary to Rupert D'Oyly Carte, had what he believed was the last, or one of only two, remaining copies of this hand tinted film. He left it to the British Film Institute, if I recall correctly. He was very conscientious about ensuring that the rarities he held went to "good homes."

[@begs54]

@@peterzavon3012 Thank you Peter for the insight.....!

[@daisybtoes]

I understand the music has been dubbed over and the original on DVD is dubbed. A mixed blessing since the voice sync is off more than once. Still, it is fascinating and thoroughly delightful to see the Ricketts costumes going all the way back. It is almost haunting when you realize that look, and slight variations of it, persisted to the bitter end.

[@kevinwachs5905]

The sync is off because the film is being played at the wrong speed. Note how quickly the cast is stepping. It's not natural. Silent film was usually shot at 18 frames per second. Sound film is shot at 24. This appears to be an example of a film shot in 18 but projected at 24.

[@daisybtoes]

@CaptFitzbattleaxe I've collected them all over the years, and the overall best is the 1936 recording - though no Katisha can beat Bertha Lewis.

[@begs54]

I was just watching this again, and guess what ? The title card that list's the cast spelled the D'Oyly Carte Company wrong... The cards reads, D'Oyley Carte.... OOPS....

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@begs54 Google "Sounds on CD." The first result, from the G&S Discography, includes contact information to buy a stellar remastering of the 1957 Mikado.

[@tonyhurst5615]

I'm surprised the mis spelling of D'Oyly got past the editing. I can't ever remember it being spelt D'Oyley!

[@Rollin_L]

I caught that too. Quite surprising!

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

@MrSamHargreaves Amazon US should ship to Australia.

[@madgeson]

Early fifties. Mikado with Thomas Round as Nanki-poo?

[@SarahB1863]

This is great but...THEY MISSPELLED D'OYLY CARTE'S NAME?!!! How did nobody catch that?

[@webz3589]

Is this all the film available from this production?

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

Unfortunately, yes, this is all they filmed.

[@neogeo53]

what were thouse recordings recorded on because there so clear and they could not be recorded on tape because tape wasn't invented until 1930

[@jasonhurd4379]

@@truesoundchris The HMV set was initially transferred to CD in the late 1980s, and I would imagine has gone through several incarnations since.

[@curiousparallax]

Buzz Killington brought me here

[@jobtenbosch349]

I'm Fucking high

[@diddymuck]

a silent musical????

[@verdew8181]

{:oD