South Yorkshire Times, November 13 1965

Conisbro’ ‘Mikado’ Delights Audiences

Conisbrough Northcliffe High School’s production of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera ‘The Mikado’ opened to a packed house on Tuesday evening and the audience was not disappointed.

The performance was off to a good start as soon as the superb scenery was revealed. It had been entirely designed, painted and built by Mr. R. Charlton, Mrs. A. Mosley and Mr. B. Lockwood, members of staff, with the assistance of pupils, and it would be the envy of many professional companies.

A very good job of make-up was also accompanied by Mrs. A. Mosley and Mrs. A. Walker, and the hired costumes gave the whole production a polished air.

The fact that, in some instances, there was some lack of singing ability and training, was more than compensated by the tremendous enthusiasm with which the whole cast entered into the performance.

In Character.

David Hare (Nanki-Poo), while finding some of his solos difficult, captured the spirit of the character perfectly. Linda Lovell as Yum-Yum, the girl he loves, also plays he part well. As Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, Raymond Godber presents a very amusing character, and as his right-hand man (or men, seeing as he holds all other official positions other than that of Ko-ko, and endeavours to act in all his capacities at once) Pooh-Bah Mr. J. Millington was a source of constant merriment, particularly to those among the audience who were his pupils!

Gwyneth Jones and Sandra Southwell, as Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, sisters of Yum-Yum, acted their parts very effectively, and their voices came over excellently in harmony.
Katisha, the elderly Court-lady who is in romantic pursuit of Nanki-Poo, is played by Mrs. E. Westlake, and never failed to arouse mirth by her antics.

Final Touch.

The crowning glory is added by the appearance of Mr. W. B. Avis as the Mikado of Japan. Both his singing and acting are excellent and he puts the finishing touch to a most entertaining evening.

Others in the cast were: Chorus of Girls: Edith Best, Pauline Brookes, Gwen Brown, Ann Butterfield, Claire Carton, Margaret Davey, Janette Exton, Janet Higgins, Janet Ball, Jennifer Jones, Hazel Jow, Irene Mason, Barbara Pullman, Elaine Short, Glynis Wake, Evelyn Walton, Jean Wright.

Chorus of Nobles: Leslie Anderson, Martin Gough, Charles Gregory, Gerald Hallos, David Jones, Marshall Kennedy, Finlay King, Mr. R. Ridley, Roy Sharps, John Tuffrey, Martin Wall, Edwin Wileman.
Katisha’s attendants: Christine Greaves, Helen McCoach, Christopher Hallam, Bernard Till.
Chopper-boy: George Clyde.