I finally got to see this version of the Mikado today in the archive library of the Museum of Television and Radio in Manhattan. I must say, I had read very mixed reviews of this performance, some only based on the more easily acessable audio recording.
I had heard some complain that Groucho was too Groucho as KoKo and some say he was not Groucho enough. As a long time fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, Groucho had always wanted to perform this particular part and I think he knew just what should go into being KoKo. Considering that Groucho was 70 at the time this was filmed, he performed vocally pretty well (lets face it, he was never an operatic vocalist but I think he held his own here). He even does some energetic dancing that was remenisent of some of his work in classic Marx Brothers films.
Groucho's daughter, Melinda is also in the cast in the roll of Peep Bo. I am sad to say that you can tell from the moment she sings she is not of the same vocal caliber as the opera singers in the rest of the performance.
This version of the opera that normally runs two hours and 45 minutes has been cut down to 60 minutes with time for commercials...some songs were cut all together and some were shortened. Considering how abbreviated this production is, it does seem to deliver. I have seen several versions of the Mikado, some live some movie versions, and I think this one holds it own in comparison.
I wish that this version of the Mikado was more readily available, but I am glad I had a chance to see it. As a fan of both Groucho Marx and Gilbert and Sullivan this is the one time the two come together. If you can get a hold of a version of this, or are in the area of the Museum of Television and Radio, I suggest giving this a watch.
I had heard some complain that Groucho was too Groucho as KoKo and some say he was not Groucho enough. As a long time fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, Groucho had always wanted to perform this particular part and I think he knew just what should go into being KoKo. Considering that Groucho was 70 at the time this was filmed, he performed vocally pretty well (lets face it, he was never an operatic vocalist but I think he held his own here). He even does some energetic dancing that was remenisent of some of his work in classic Marx Brothers films.
Groucho's daughter, Melinda is also in the cast in the roll of Peep Bo. I am sad to say that you can tell from the moment she sings she is not of the same vocal caliber as the opera singers in the rest of the performance.
This version of the opera that normally runs two hours and 45 minutes has been cut down to 60 minutes with time for commercials...some songs were cut all together and some were shortened. Considering how abbreviated this production is, it does seem to deliver. I have seen several versions of the Mikado, some live some movie versions, and I think this one holds it own in comparison.
I wish that this version of the Mikado was more readily available, but I am glad I had a chance to see it. As a fan of both Groucho Marx and Gilbert and Sullivan this is the one time the two come together. If you can get a hold of a version of this, or are in the area of the Museum of Television and Radio, I suggest giving this a watch.