“BLUEBELL IN FAIRYLAND.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2240, 18 November 1907, Page 2

“BLUEBELL IN FAIRYLAND.”

SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE BY POLLARD’S NEW COMPANY

There was a crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night when Pollard’s Juvenile Opera Company made their first appearance in Gisborne. There are a number of adults in the company, but the bulk of tho work is done by juveniles, all of whom displayed a marked degree of ability. It is not so long since Mr. Pollard’s previous organisation on similiar lines was disbanded, and no doubt there wero many in the theatre on Saturday who remembered the first appearance of that company; but it is safe to say that tho present company suffers in no way by comparison with tho previous company at its initiation. All the children are accomplished dancers, and somo oi tho solos and concerted dancing would do credit to adult professionals. Tho piece is a pantomime pure and simple, so that the plot of the story is immaterial. The chief interest centres round Bluebell, a London flower girl, whose fairy dream constitutes the second act pf the play. In this part- Miss Minnie Topping acquitted herself admirably, acting and singing in good style. The principal “boy”, Dickie, a crossing sweeper, was capably impersonated by Miss Lily Thompson, who was well re-, ceived in the song “The Only Girl I Love.” In the dream act she appeared as the Sleepy King, and was again entirely successful. Miss MayTopping, as Bluebell’s good fairy had not a great deal to do, but she did her work in pleasing fashion, her singing being especially good. Mr. Ohas. Albert, who will be remembered as a member of the old company, was ono of a couple of very funny footmen, and later ho was encored for liis singing of the comic song “Poor John.” Tlie comic element was further represented by Blibb aiid Blobb (Masters Nicholson and Drummond), two schoolboys strongly reminiscent of Tweodledee and Tweoedledum. Together they sang the' duet “Why of Course,” which bristled with topical allusions. In tho first act Master Nicholson appeared as a street arab,. and gave a capital interpretation of. an amusing Coster song, and Master Drummond appeared with his sister l in a pretty duet “Won’t You Come'Out To-night,” the accompanying step dance being neat and clever. No pantomime is complete without some animal impersonation, . and in this case it was a cat, a finished and natural representation being given by. Miss Edie Boulter. Miss Dora Rod-, gors (Will o’ tho Wisp) was greatly appreciated, her dancing, of whichher part chiefly consisted, being one' of tlie most enjoyable features of the evening’s performance. Another very; popular item was the doll ballet. Dres-. sed as Dutch dolls Misses Dora Rodgers, Beatrice Cheal, Hadie Rodgers and Kitty Burke sang “The Zuydei Zoo,” being supported by a chorus of dolls. The finale of this “turn”,, with -a limelight effect making the' dancers appear as though thrown on a screen by a cinematograph, was particularly fine. Miss Ivy Aldous had; a great reception in a Dutch yodel j and clog dance, and was equally sue-. cessful in tlie duet “Good-Night”! with her sister Alma. In the first} act Mr. Bert Williamson impersonat-j ed a rich London merchant and in, the second an ugly old dwarf, ac-,’ quitting himself creditably in both characters. Other minor characters were upheld by members of the company with universal success. The acrobatic antics of a quartette of frogs caused some amusement.

. The scenery left nothing to be desired, being excellent at all times. The scenes in Fairyland; of course, were gorgeous in the extreme, and the final tableau, representing The CitV of Gold, was a masterpiece of brilliant scenery and clever setting. The staging in all cases was first class, tho grouping of the principals, chorus for ensembles, and finales being skilfully arranged and executed in a tborough fashion.

This afternoon a matinee performance of “Bluebell in Fairyland” will be given at 2.30 o’clock, and in the evening the piece will be repeated.

Tho musical satire, “His Highness the Bey,” to be presented to-morrow evening, will concludo the company’s performances in Gisborne.