Pollard's Ldliputian Opera Company.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 215, 12 March 1895, Page 2

Pollard's Ldliputian Opera Company.

In the Assembly Rooms last even- i ing the popular Pollard's Lihputian i Opera Company produced Offenbach's beautiful opera, "La Fille du Tarn bour," before a crowded house, in • eluding a large number of visitors from j the country. The Company is one of , the largest, if not the largest, and . certainly the best of its kind which | has ever played in Feilding. The music, as provided by an exceptionally good orchestra, assisted in a great measure to make the opera a success. The singing, also, was much above the average. As a soprano, Miss Cissy Saudford, as " Griolet " (the drummer boy) was about the best. Her happy and frolicsome acting made her a favorite at once, and she is to be complimented on her treatment of the character. Miss Marion Mitchell played a leading part in the caste as " Stella," her cultured voice being heard to advantage, while her acting was faultless. Master Alf. Stevens had the comic part of " Due Delia Volta." who is represented as an extremely short-sighted gentleman of peculiar habits. Thia character is euppoited by an apparently boon companion, in the person of the active "Le Marquis Bambine " (Master Harry Quealy), both being remarkably clever and amueing. " Capitaine Robert " (of the French Army) is represented by Miss Maud Beatty to be a gallaut young soldier who has fallen in love with " Stella." Miss Nellie Wilson as " Claudine " (the Vivandiei'u), Miss Emily Metcalfe as the " Duchess Delia Volta," and Mies Louie Maher as the Abbess, had lead ing parts which were taken in a | decidedly creditable manner. Theseve- | yal other members of the company filled the various minor parts they represented without the slightest weakness From start to finish the opera went with a considerable amount of dash, and the audience displayed its appreciation by fyequent applause, | Of the coruic opera '• Olivette " the Wellington Po.=t says: — "The Pollard children have played many things in New Zealand, but in nothing have they appeared to such advantage as in their per formance of " Olivette." The plot opens in the village of Perpigan, where it is announced that " Olivette " (Miss Mitchell) is to be married against her will to " Capt. de Merimac " while her heart has already been given to " Valentine," an officer of the ilousillon Guards. After some time elapses Valentine disguises himself as Merimac and presents himself to Olivette and they are married. On the discovery of the impersonation there is much amusement. Towards the end Merimac and Coquelicot become intensely funny, and the opera has a merry winding up with a chorus.