The Liliputian Pinafore Troupe.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 974, 31 August 1881, Page 2

The Liliputian Pinafore Troupe.

Mr. Pollard, his talented family, and the troupe of youngsters under his direction, may be congratulated on the success attending their initial performance in Gisborne on Monday night last. McFarlane’s Hall was c?*fortably filled, although the reserved seats were not so numerous as was expected, nor, as on the occasion of the Lydia Howarde Troupe’s presentation of the same piece. The performance was excellent in every way—that is, taken as a whole ; for it cannot reasonably be expected that children’s voices, some of which are hardly formed, and others “ on the turn,” can be attuned so accurately, as to make individual defects unobservable. Therefore, so far as the vocalization is concerned, it is better to look at it from a general point of view. The choruses, aided by the excellent orchestra, and under the skilful leadership of Mr. J. J. Pollard, Jun., were sustained with vigor, and time was remarkably well kept with the conductor's baton. These

wete particularly Noticeable in the last scenes in each act, when the youngsters seemed fired with enthusiasm, Mnd the curtain dropped amidst the genera] applause, and a demand for its rising once more for the Company to receive the encomiums of the audin . ence. Speaking individually of the several performers, there were some of them whose merits stood out conspicuously. Amongst them we may mention Master Ernest Osmond, whose impersonation of Dick Deadeye was the cynosure of admiration the whole evening. This lad has not only been well drilled up to the grasp of the character, but it is one in which his natural abilities import a fund of humor, and quaintness of funny business, not to be surpassed. He is said to be only 11 years of age; but, even now he gives promise that, if he sticks to the stage, he has a brilliant prospect before him. His conception of the character assigned to him is, almost, inimitable. Master Cornie Osmond as Ralph Rackstraw, also, exhibited some fine lines of character. He has a remarkably feminine voice, with some excellent upper notes; but, although his speaking utterances are not good, he displayed an amount of earnestness, and vivid realism, which thoroughly carried his audience with him. To our mind he does not make so good an emotional point in his sonnet to Josephine, “ Light of my life farewell,” as he might do ; although, both in action and voice, he threw the true pathos of a wounded, disappointed love into his words. He has the best voice on the stage. Captain Corcoran, as personified by Master Herbert Salinger, was sustained with excellent judgment and correct taste. The lad sings well, has a good voice, and has, already, made his mark. So has Master Sheehan as the Boatswain, his funniness was remarkably well kept up, although a want of sonorousness in his voice detracted a little from the effectiveness of his character. The extremely pantomimic mask which he wears, imparts a rather exaggerated degree of absurdity to his facial expression. The young ladies must not think us ungallant in saving them for the last. Amongst these we note ■ the Sir Joseph Porter of Miss Maude Pollard. This young lady has a very correct acquaintance with her part, and sang and acted with an ease and grace which would put many of her elder professionals to the blush. Miss May Pollard looked, played, sang, and acted Josephine to the life ; and in her “ Oh, my goodness gracious, but I do love him,” fairly brought down the house. She possesses features, too, which, in years to come, should be an attractive embellishment to stage accessories. We apologise for the remark, but if she can educate herself out of a kind of nasal twang; or “ mouthing ” some of her words, it will be found to be a great improvement. U. Little Buttercup Was capitally rendered by the talented little ten-year-old Miss Olive Pollard. She is extremely young to proclaim before so large an audience that she is “a mother;” but, £,part from that, the little lady enacted her part with marked vivacity and inception of character. Her singing and time keeping were excellent. “ Cousin Hebe,” “ The Little Midshipmite,” and the “ Boatswain’s Mate ” were taken by Miss May Salinger, Master Arthur Pollard, and Master Alfred Goodwin respectively, each of whom gave evidence of careful training. But we must not omit the “ Black Cook,” in the person of Master W. Pollard. This little fellow went through the clog step-dance, remarkably well, and was greatly applauded, so was, also, young Goodwin, in the sailor’s hornpipe. In conclusion, we repeat that a gMat amount of praise is due to Mr. and Mrs. Pollard for the high state of stage culture to which they have brought their happy family, and the other youngsters committed to their care. They put on no “ side they do not coquette with the audience, and there is not the slightest semblance of vulgarity in either voice, look, or gesture. They exhibit a naturalness remarkable to a degree, while both sexes alike combine ease with dignity, and grace of deportment, which surely show that their education in these respects has been most correctly studied, and faithfully learnt. We sincerely compliment the youthful band on the point of efficiency to which they have attained, and which cannot fail to be of immense advantage to them, in life, either on or off the stage.

The harmony that existed between the young folk, was also another commendable feature. They all looked, acted, and sang, as if they were really happy, and their hearts were in! their work. It is often difficult to get even adults to act in unison, therefore! it is the more remarkable that throughout a full two hours’ performance, not only not a hitch occurred, but everything went off with a smoothness, and concentra’ionof idea, without which no stage representation is successful. Mr. Pollard and his talented family, have made a most signal achievement. They have shown to the world how it is possible so to bend the twigs of the present as to produce trees of giant greatness in the future. “As the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined,” is but an aphorism ; but it will be surprising if the youngsters now performing in Gisborne do not develop into fruit bearing branches of greatness and goodness, possibly but little dreamed of to-day. Again, we heartily thank Mr. Pollard for the exhibition of his talented troupe. The" performance was repeated, with alterations last night, and, if possible, with even more enthusiasm. To-night Pinafore will be repeated, with a new cast, at million prices. A Matinee .takes place this afternoon for schools and families.