Pollard's Opera Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 49, 23 June 1896, Page 2

Pollard's Opera Company.

♦ << PAUL JONES." Somebody lias said that laughter is ail excellent tonic, and if that philosopher is correct, Hastings must feel to-day greatly relieved, for nearly all in town must have crowded to the Princess Theatre last evening to witness the opening performance of Pollard's Opera Company. The Ixill was crowded to the doors, and dozens had to he content with standing room only. Even the worst hypochondriac in that vast audience must admit that the play was a funny one, and that never before had such genuine laughter been heard within the walls. Planquette has written many operas —some very much in advance of others—but " Paul Jones " is generally considered his masterpiece. If there is one fault to be found with the composition it is that the hero of the plot is overshadowed at times by the comedy business of the two mariners bold ; but this may lie accounted for by the fact that Mr Pollard has a better opportunity of developing the comedy element than have other companies, inasmuch as he has the services of two sterling exponents of the art ill Alf Stevens and Master C. Albert. The opera is brightly written and the music always tuneful. The dialogue is smart, and the plot well worked out. The piece was splendidly staged, the dressing and mounting being on a veryrich scale. An efficient orchestra, under the leadership of Mr H. T. Harrison who, by the way, is himself a composer of some merit ■ —added considerably to the success of the opera. From beginning to end there was not a dull item. The honors of the evening were carried off by Miss Maud Beatty, and we pause* here to congratulate her upon the rapid strides she has made in her profession. We remember her when she joined the combination, also when she first took an important character, and applauded her for her tenor solos in Olivette, and can the more appreciate her performance of last evening. Although at a disadvantage in rendering music set for a different voice to that possessed by her, she acquitted herself wonderfully well. Possessed of grand stage presence and much grace, and with a voice that many older professionals might well envy, she could not fail to make a decided hit. To Miss Marion Mitchell (Yvonne) may also be extended congratulations, an indistinctness in her enunciation having entirely disappeared. She was in splendid voice last evening, and her every item received recognition. Her greatest successes were in " Before the Altar now I Kneel'' and " What shall I tell my Darling," both solos being given faultlessly. Her duet with Paul "A Little Bird " was also a pleasing effort. Miss Emily Metcalfe as Fiufmo do Martinez created a favorable impression, and her rich soprano voice was heard to perfection in the solo " 0 Fair One." Miss May Beatty is always a favorite, and although she looked too young and pretty to be the wife of Bouilabaisse, she sang and acted well. Much vim was thrown into the item " Look at my Sabots," and she was twice recalled. Miss Nellie Wilson as Malaguena had little to do, but she did it, as she does all her parts, well. Most of the fun of the opera rested with Bouillabaisse (Mr Alf Stevens) and Petit Pierre'or "The Insect" (Master C. Albert). The last named gets in more comedy for his inches than any boy on the colonial stage. He and the otter mariner were always coming in,

and when they didn't come in they were missed. The audience couldn't get sufficient of them, and when they had repeated their duet half a dozen times there were still calls for more. Mr Stevens has been the life of the combination for some years, and he has a promising follower in the youthful Albert. The pair are simply inimitable, and the person who witnessed their antics without holding his sides must be a veritable Shylock. E. Noble made up well as the old Merchant Bicoquet, and acted very impressively. W. Percy has an original conception of what the author intended Don Trocadero to be, but he provoked much laughter all the same. If he contrived not to crush so many hundred words into the space of a minute he would perhaps be understood in his dialogue, and his vivacity might'with advantage be measured by the position of the character he is supposed to interpret. The minor characters are all well sustained. The choruses were well balanced, and the grouping effective. The limelight was managed with striking effect, especially in the skirt dance and the minuet. To-night another master-piece will be presented in Gilbert and Sullivan's " Gondoliers." This opera never fails to draw, and with exponents such as those of Mr Tom Pollard, another big success is assured.