THE POLLARD COMPANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1402, 11 December 1884, Page 2

THE POLLARD COMPANY.

Unfortunately for the success of the opening night of the Juvenile Opera Company’s season, so far aa the attendance was concerned, a heavy downpour of rain occurred last evening at about half-past seven. This circumstance doubtless prevented a large number of people coming to witness the entertainment, but notwithstanding the drawback, there was a fair house, and there could be no doubt of the artistic success of the performance, the applause being enthusiastic throughout. Before the rising of the curtain, an apology was made for the absence of the scenery, the stage having been found to be too small, and there not being time to do the necessary fitting. This defect, he* ever, it was promised to remove tonight. “ The Little Duke," the opera I chosen for the opening of the season, is full of tuneful melody, such as would be expected from ths composer of “La Fille de Madame Angot " and “Girofld Girofla.” The plot turns upon the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Parthenay at a very early age for political reasons. The pair are immediately separated, the bride being sent to a pension under the charge of the Canonesa of Lusac, and the duke relegated to the care of his old tutor Frimousae. The latter sentence, however, is recalled, the bridegroom being given the colonelcy of a regiment and Frimouase despatched to the school as professor of Latin. The first act closes with a chorus in which the soldiers swear their allegiance to the Duke, and promise to go wherever he may lead them. The second act takes place in the school, where the mistress has evidently much trouble in keeping her unruly pupils in order. The scene is very funny, and the spontaneous manner in which the youngsters went through their work last night, and the enjoyment they palpably experienced in their antics created roars of laughter. Fabrice, the little Duke, has determined to besiege the school and re-gain possession of his bride, and very soon the troops arrive under Captain Montaland. The Duke himself comes in the disguisa of a country girl, and having deceived Frimousse obtains the key of the room in which the Duchess is confined and sets her free. Much commotion follows, but the “ household brigade, ’ led by the tutor, is put to flight, and everything appears to be going in favor of Fabrice. The Canoness, how--1 ever, appeals to the Dnke’s honor, and 1 he leaves his wife and proceeds to the war. This brings us to the final act, where the army is encamped. Much of the effect of 1 this scene was necessarily lost through the absence of scenery, but nothing could show the excellent training of the company better than the manner they went through their drill. The Duke, we learn, has carried himself bravely through the ’ fight, and at the conclusion of the day has 1 given orders that -no wine should be drunk. The Duchess comes in search of her husband, and the latter, in the exhilaration of the moment, forgets his order 1 and drinks. This is seen and reported by 1 Frimousse, and Fabrice finds himself in 1 temporary disgrace, and has to surrender 1 his sword. This order, however, is re- ' scinded, and the curtain falls oa the re- * union of the Little Duke and his Duchess and general happiness. Of the manner in which the opera was played it is impossible to write otherwise than in terms of the heartiest approval. In the title role, Miss Marion Norman has the lion's share of the work, and she does full justice to a character which is un- > doubtedly a very difficult one. She moves about the stage with a graceful ease which is nothing short of wonderful i in so young a lady, and all her gestures are appropriate to the part she is enacting. Much may be taught to clever youngsters who may be quick at imitating, but Miss Norman shows original histrioftic talent that promises great things for her future. She has an excellent

voice, too, as was shown in her rendering of the long ditty in the second act, “Dear ladies, list my simple song,” and also in the other items allotted to the part. Miss Maud Pollard, who will be remembered as the Sir Joseph Porter of former days, has grown considerably since we last, saw her, and towers above most of her fellow actors on the stage. She looked the gallant soldier to the life, and her movements were full of dignity and grace, while her singing left nothing to be desired. To Mias Amy Brooks, as Frimousae, fell most of the comic business of the opera and she was on the whole successful, although something more might perhaps be made of the part. Miss May Pollard and Miss Flo de Lorme made two handsome looking officers, and the latter lady deserves special mention for her singing of the interpolated song, “ Shadows are falling,” in the second act, which so pleased the audience that a repetition was insisted op. As the heroine of the opera, the Duchess of Parthtnay, Mias Lucy Cobb scored a decided success, her singing being good and her acting excellent, especially in tfap duet with the Duke in the first act, where the arch simplicity of the newly married bride was admirably simulated.' Miss Eva McGlementa was amusing as the Canoness, her acting having much to do wi*h the success of the schoolroom scene, l ast, but not least, we come to Mias j Lizzie Doneley, the “dunce.” This young lady is brimful of fun, and while she was on the stage kept the audience in roars of laughter witli her comicalities. The orchestra, under the conduotorship of Mr J. Delaney, was, though small, .thoroughly efficient and deserve a word of praise for their playing. It only remains to say that the choruses were given with great spirit, testifying at once to the excellent tuition received from Mr Delaney and the aptness of that gentleman's pupils. Of the success of the entertainment there could not be two opinions, and we expect to see a crowded house this evening, when the ever-popular “ Les Cloches de Oorneville ” will be presented.