Mikado, Katisha, Koko, Poohbah and Pittising dialogue for 19 Nov 2019 Audition
We will be reading from the following passages (Green Chappell libretto)
MIK. All this is very interesting, and I should like to have seen it. But we came about a totally different matter. A year ago my son, the heir to the throne of Japan, bolted from our Imperial Court. KO. Indeed! Had he any reason to be dissatisfied with his position?
KAT. None whatever. On the contrary, I was going to marry him – yet he fled!
POOH. I am surprised that he should have fled from one so lovely!
KAT. That’s not true.
POOH. No!
KAT. You hold that I am not beautiful because my face is plain. But you know nothing; you are still unenlightened. Learn, then, that it is not in the face alone that beauty is to be sought. My face is unattractive!
POOH. It is.
KAT. But I have a left shoulder-blade that is a miracle of loveliness. People come miles to see it. My right elbow has a fascination that few can resist.
POOH. Allow me!
KAT. It is on view Tuesdays and Fridays, on presentation of visiting card. As for my circulation, it is the largest in the world.
KO. And yet he fled! Mix. And is now masquerading in this town, disguised as a Second Trombone. KO., POOH. and PITTI. A Second Trombone!
MIK. Yes; would it be troubling you too much if I asked you to-produce him? He goes by the name of –
KAT. Nanki-Poo.
MIK. Nanki-Poo.
KO. It’s quite easy. That is, it’s rather difficult. In point of fact, he’s gone abroad!
MIK. Gone abroad! His address.
KO. Knightsbridge!
KAT. (who is reading certificate of death). Ha!
MIK. What’s the matter?
KAT. See here – his name – Nanki-Poo – beheaded this morning. Oh, where shall I find another? Where shall I find another?
(KO-KO, POOH-BAH and PITTISING fall on their knees.)
MIK. (looking at paper). Dear, dear, dear! this is very tiresome. (To KoKO.) My poor fellow, in your, anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!
KO. I beg to offer an unqualified apology.
POOH. I desire to associate myself with that expression of regret.
PITTI. We really hadn’t the least notion –
MIK. Of course you hadn’t. How could you? Come, come, my good fellow, don’t distress yourself – it was no fault of yours. If a man of exalted rank chooses to disguise himself as a Second Trombone, he must take the consequences. It really distresses me to see you take on so. I’ve no doubt he thoroughly deserved all he got. (They rise.)
KO. We are infinitely obliged to your Majesty –
PITTI: Much obliged, your Majesty.
POOH. Very much obliged your Majesty.
MIK. Obliged? not a bit. Don’t mention it. How could you tell?
POOH. No, of course we couldn’t tell who the gentleman really was.
PITTI. It wasn’t written on his forehead, you know
KAT. None whatever. On the contrary, I was going to marry him – yet he fled!
POOH. I am surprised that he should have fled from one so lovely!
KAT. That’s not true.
POOH. No!
KAT. You hold that I am not beautiful because my face is plain. But you know nothing; you are still unenlightened. Learn, then, that it is not in the face alone that beauty is to be sought. My face is unattractive!
POOH. It is.
KAT. But I have a left shoulder-blade that is a miracle of loveliness. People come miles to see it. My right elbow has a fascination that few can resist.
POOH. Allow me!
KAT. It is on view Tuesdays and Fridays, on presentation of visiting card. As for my circulation, it is the largest in the world.
KO. And yet he fled! Mix. And is now masquerading in this town, disguised as a Second Trombone. KO., POOH. and PITTI. A Second Trombone!
MIK. Yes; would it be troubling you too much if I asked you to-produce him? He goes by the name of –
KAT. Nanki-Poo.
MIK. Nanki-Poo.
KO. It’s quite easy. That is, it’s rather difficult. In point of fact, he’s gone abroad!
MIK. Gone abroad! His address.
KO. Knightsbridge!
KAT. (who is reading certificate of death). Ha!
MIK. What’s the matter?
KAT. See here – his name – Nanki-Poo – beheaded this morning. Oh, where shall I find another? Where shall I find another?
(KO-KO, POOH-BAH and PITTISING fall on their knees.)
MIK. (looking at paper). Dear, dear, dear! this is very tiresome. (To KoKO.) My poor fellow, in your, anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!
KO. I beg to offer an unqualified apology.
POOH. I desire to associate myself with that expression of regret.
PITTI. We really hadn’t the least notion –
MIK. Of course you hadn’t. How could you? Come, come, my good fellow, don’t distress yourself – it was no fault of yours. If a man of exalted rank chooses to disguise himself as a Second Trombone, he must take the consequences. It really distresses me to see you take on so. I’ve no doubt he thoroughly deserved all he got. (They rise.)
KO. We are infinitely obliged to your Majesty –
PITTI: Much obliged, your Majesty.
POOH. Very much obliged your Majesty.
MIK. Obliged? not a bit. Don’t mention it. How could you tell?
POOH. No, of course we couldn’t tell who the gentleman really was.
PITTI. It wasn’t written on his forehead, you know
Our last few productions were just great! See the NODA write-ups (National Operatic and Dramatic Association). In July 2015, OSE received a regional award in the NODA South-East Awards for Excellence 2014 - for Musical Excellence in OSE's production of Carmen, and this year (2019) we were awarded the 2018 NODA South-East Region award for Best Opera
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