ENTHUSIASTIC FINALE OF "LA MASCOTTE"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 5, 1 October 1917, Page 7

ENTHUSIASTIC FINALE OF "LA MASCOTTE"

MR. TOM. POLLARD ON A LOST ART The last night of tho Amateur Operate Society's season is always the most interestiug. In the case of "La Alas;otto" it certainly was the case, as the season was highly successful, and the Brand Opera House was packed in every lepai'tment with iv most enthusiastic ludience, which included the Governorjeueral and the Countess of: Liverpool, fho performance was the best.of the season, aa 4. with many of the performers, fresh Co tho glamour of the footights, there was experienced a feeling of regret that it was alt over for another rear. In tho interval between the second xnd third acts, the president (Hon. A. L. Kordman) ventured into Prince Laurent's flittering throne-i'oom, to remark that it ivas customai'y to say' a few words of thanks and to acknowledge the services )f tliose'.responaiblo for the performance, tie could do so ivith .great sincerity because of tho thoroughly delightful perormanco they had all enjoyed that evening- (Applause.) It seemed to him that" tuey got bettor every year, and the performance of 1917 had fairly establish:d a new standard in Wellington. Ho rad first .of. all to thank that famous master of stagecraft, Mr. Tom Pollard, ivhosa name had been a household word n New Zealand for manv years, and ivhose work, as shown in La Mascotte" luring tho week, was .responsible in suoh i measure for the delightful entertainment given them. He must also thank Mr. Bernard Page for the patience and mtliusiasm he had shown as musical director, and who would say that in tlie Iresses arid colour schemes Mrs. James Hannah had not added another conquest o her manjr artistic victories (Apilause.) He wished the society all suc;ess, and hoped that its standard would jo maintained for maiy years to come. Applause.) Mr. Tom Pollard, who received a great velcome, thanked Mr. Herdman for the jmd -words he had spoken. If the audioes had been given pleasure, then the ueasure was doubly his. He had staged iperas with amateurs in many countries, jilt ne could say- conscientiously that ttio >erformance they had witnessed that light was equal to any o£ them. (Apilause.) In the inarch the ladies had ;een an object-lesson,' and they would 168 in tho next act that their squad drill ,vas s of the highest, order of merit, not sven excepting Trentham! (Laughter md applause.) He emphasised the ralue of drill as an aid to deportment. So few people know how to walk—how :o carry themselves on the stage. You ee it in the caee of the American play>rs in pictures, how badly -they walk, low different it is with the well-trained 3nghsn artist! They wore taught drill tlid use of the foil, and it was reflected n the ease and dignity of their car'ij.ge.i He was afraid deportment was 'ery much neglected in New Zealand, ind suggested that things might be altered it some of the sergeant-majors returnng to New Zealand after having done heir bit would take up the matter. He lad heard tho march praised on all sides, >ut he wished to give the credit to Ser-ieant-Major.Frahois, who, before he (Mr. Pollard) had arrived, had trained the :irla in squad drill. . That had made lis work very light. He believed in ,'iviiig credit where credit was due, and t wad the sergeant-major's work tint ,vas largely responsible for the excellent •esult achieved. (Applause.) At the conclusion of tho performance :he performers were entertained by the ioeiety at a very jolly supper in the •ooms of the society. Mr. T. M. Wilford, tf:P.. presided. With the aid of a toast ist, the services of Miss Helen Gard'ner, Mrs. Hannah (designer), Miss Sinclair 'costumier), 'Mrs. Smythson (assistant ostmnier), Messrs. Tom Pollard, 'Borni I'd Page, A. W. 'Newton, E. B. Vunce secretary); William I'raser (treasurer), Prank Thomas (accompanist), and Mr. iritcnna (mechanist) were eulogised for lie good work all had done. The chorus md principals .were also honoured in i happy way. Red Cross Matinee. The "Red Cross" matinee was not rery veil attended, owing, perhaps, to the >rief notice given the public and the in•lemency of the weather. The services it all, save tho members of the orchestra ind tho stage hands, were given free for .h'is performance.