POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8964, 2 November 1907, Page 2

POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

It is a matter for regret that Mr

- ollard was unable to fix a more suitable date for tbo performance of his Juvenile Opera Company at Marten. There is no doubt the attraction of Palmerston Show was responsible for only a moderate attendance at tho Opera House last evening. Those who were fortunate to bo present were treated with a feast of 'bright music, dainty dancing and innocent merriment in a lovely setting of spectacular splendour. • ‘ Bluebell in Fairyland” was a hrigh and brilliant performance and alior I'M ample scope for tho display of stagecraft on the highest order. The scenic arrangements excelled anything previously attempted in Martou and ample advantage was taken of tho opportunity to present a delightful picture, in which harmonious coloring was skilfully blended in costumas of ingenious design. Some of the dresses charmed the eye by tho richness of their tints and tho beauty of the handiwork displayed upon them. Tiio first setting of ‘‘Bluebell in Fairyland” is in Loudon, tho slums at Christmas time whore Bluebell, tired and down beared at her lack of success, is first introduced. The name part is in the capable hands of Miss Minnie Topping, and her acting and singing showed that a bright future is promised tier. . Just as Bluebell is giv-

mg up hope of being able to give her little sisters the happy Christmas she so much hoped to, the benevolent Mr Joplin (Mr Bert ■Williamson), who had taken a great fancy to the child, put in an appearance. He gives her a sovereign, and she runs home to her little sisters, happy for their sakes. There, after assuring the children Santa Claus will surely come, and while reading thorn a fairy tale, she falls asleep on

the floor, and then begins a dream — Bluebell iu Fairyland— which gives to the stage story its fascinating element of fairy-like romance. _Of course overyting ends happily, but tho working" out of tho thouio affords

great opportunities for brilliant effects. Tho dancing of tho slum children, tho praty at the Palace in Fairyland, the dancing dolls and scores of situations lend themsolvles to those bright and vivacious representatives which delight the soul of every anclionco and which Mr Pollard knows so well how to present. Miss Lily Thompson’s pourtraval of L ,“ Dickie” stamped her as an artiste. "As a leading “boy” Miss Thompson would indeed bo hard to boat. She also possesses a very fine voice. In Leslie Dnmmoud and Bert Nicholson tho Company lias a pair of young oomedains who may with safety be considered to have a groat future, tho.siugiug and by play of tho latter ’ particularly being greeted with rounds of applause. Humour seems instinctive to this happy pair, and as tho two school hoys who accompanied Blue boll in hor Fairyland adventures they had the audience iu proverbial “fits.” Space forbids our referring to each of the many juvenile principals, but suffice it to say that there was not a weak spot iu the cast. The orchestral and incidental music contributed largely to the success of tho production. The sotting and changing of so mnay scones was a marked improvement on anything hitherto attempted iuMarton. The Company appear at Foilding to-night.