Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 15, 13 October 1900, Page 17

Dramatic and Musical

ME TOM POLLAED seems determined not to let anyone grumble about getting too much of anything that the well-stocked repertoire of his company contains, notwithstanding the fact that any of those charming productions might easily have drawn the same packed houses for as many weeks as the nights they are billed for this season. Last week the company gave us three changes — " Paul Jones," " The Geisha," and " The Gondoliers "— which were received with a relish which showed that playgoers had not lost their appetites for dainty things. But this week the manager set his gifted " girls " and " boys " a much heavier task by fixing on five delightfully refreshing pieces to make up the bill-of-fare. " The Belle of New York " went as well as ever on Monday and Tuesday evenings ; " The Gay Parisienne " would have received a great many more compliments had the Opera House been a good bit larger on Wednesday nieht ; " The French Maid " had a lot of new admirers on Thursday ; while " La Mascotte " followed with her usual luck, and left Saturday night for the company to appear " In Town." # w • If there was ever any doubt about the strength of this most talented combination, either artistically or physically, the present season must dispel such an idea, for most assuredly has it asserted its power in both departments. Night after night these young artists appear as new beings, sometimes in entirely different roles, and yet their fashionable audiences receive them as enthusiastically as only " shining lights " of the profession could expect. Only one reason can be advanced for such patronage as this, viz., that the Pollard Opera Company do their work well, no matter in what shape it is cast. m # • There are very few managers who would promise to stick to their word in producing an opera in the event of the prima donna, being suddenly incapacitated, and Mr Pollard is one of the few. "We have had more than one instance of this, but will merely point to the absence of Miss May Beatty,' who was not well enough to appear in " The Belle of New York." Her part of Violet Gray was immediately passed on to Miss Alice Pollard, who made so much of the demure " Belle " that she scored the honours hi the evening. This young lady has a very sweet little soprano voice, which, when it gains in volume, should win her a place in the front rank of her profession. # * « By the way, Mr Pollard has captured the makings of a first-class artiste in Miss Jessie Eamsay, who was unearthed down Invercargill way. Her fine soprano soon found its way to the hearts of the people here, and I shall not feel a bit surprised if she makes a name for herself before long. • # - The programme issued for this (seventeenth) week of Dixs Gaiety Company is .quite up to its usual high standard, and serves to introduce some new talent. The same hearty reception was accorded the new artists as is always extended to those who are good enough to be " put on " at this popular house. Everything is new, from the opening chorus to the farce, and each item was wanted over again. All the old favourites were in splendid humour, particularly Mr Arthur Hahn, who, perhaps, surpassed all his previous efforts when he gave " Deep Sad Sea." Mr Hahn has a very powerful bass voice, and he knows how to use it, besides which he has plenty of confidence, a trait which he plainly showed when the electric light lost its brilliance on Saturday night. The theatre was plunged in darkness while the favourite basso was in the midst of his splendid song in the second part of the entertainment, but he held his audience spell-bound until be finished as though nothing had happened. Soon after light was restored, and Frank Yorke finished up with his side-splitting farce. • • • It is reported from America that Chas. H. Hoyt has become hopelessly insane, and that he was committed to an asylum on the application of his partner, Mr Frank McKee.

Fuller's Bijon Company keeps its numerous patrons well supplied with music and mirth, and there have been several additions and alterations this week. Miss Mae Marlow has fairly caught on' with her serio-comic specialties, and there is no doubt this latest Australian artiste is very clever in her line. She has a striking appearance, has a decidedly original and peculiarly captivating method, and when she renders her " triumph " number, " What-ho, She Bounces," the gods take up the chorus, and the house breaks into a regular tumult of applause. Miss Mae would be a valuable acquisition to any variety company, and since her arrival the Choral Hall has been " fuller " than ever. Miss Rose Beltnont is another great favourite, who sings " The Judge's Daughter," " Keep the Home Together," and other pathetic ballads in a very touching manner. This lady deserves all the compliments the audience pay her, while others to score wells are George Dean, Will Stevens, the Lennons and Hyman, Sheldon Kindly, Percy James, Lillie Smith, Coralie Barlow, and Eva Wilson. " Slattery's Home " (the very funny farce) is well played by Will Stevens, Zulu Wallace, Sheldon Kindly, John Fuller, jun., and others. # # * Mr Harry Hooper's Federal Minstrel and Comedy Company served up an entire change of programme on Saturday night. The first part consisted of the usual "burnt cork," which not only gave the fanny men of the company a chance to score off conundrums, songs, etc.. but also introduced some pleasing ballads, the most worthy of notice being, " What do you think of the Irish," for which Mr Charles Marson was recalled. After the interval the evening was spent in songs (comic and sentimental), plantation breakdowns, Irish specialties, and contortion, act. Mr Will Johnston essayed to sing "A Broken Vow," but he looked so uncomfortable and drawled it out so wearily that I hardly think he would have responded to an encore even had he been entitled to one. In the matter of applause the audience were liberal with almost every " turn, " but Miss Millicent Mowbray's patriotic specialty, '• Flags of all Nations." and Mr Marson's " My Bonny Barque " came in for an extra share, and they deserved it. Several alterations and additions were announced for Wednesday night.

Nothing irritates one sooner than a badly made pair of boots, and to avoid anything of the kind it is wise to select a thoroughly competent tradesman to do your making, mending, etc. Now, Mr F. J. Oakes, of Ingestre-street, guarantees to pioduce a firstclass article at a moderate rate, and you might be quite satisfied if you give him a trial. The ordinary general meeting of the "Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Co, will be held on' Wednesday, 31st October, as per advertisement in another column. Mr E. H. Mereweather, New Zealand representative of Stewart and McDonald, "of Glasgow, lef6 for Australia in the Monowai on Thursday.