POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 54, 17 March 1900, Page 2

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

"THEGEISHA." • The Pollards are always welcome to New Plymouth, where they have made a reputation for the excellence of the performances given, for the beautiful scenery and dresses which so much tend to successful representations, and for the enterprise of the management in securing the rights of the most up to-date and charming operas. On Friday evening they opened a three nights' season in the Opera House, when the famous comic opera "The Geisha" was played to a big house, the audience being particularly enthusiastic. The plot of the piece is not deflp, but the amusing situations, the beautiful dresses, the pretty dances, and the excellent coloured lightiog effects all go to make up a charming performance, calculated to please everyone. The majority of the members of the 'Company have established themselves here as popular favorites, and since their last visit their ranks have been added to by several artistes of much ability. Miss May Beafctie, as 0 Mimosa San, acted splendidly throughout a most difficult part. She was repeatedly encored for her fine singing, her best songs being " The Amorous Goldfish " and " The Geisha Girl." She looked very pretty, and acted with charming naivette. As Miss Molly Seamore, Mus Wilmot Karkeek surprised everyone by the wonderful progress she has made, both in actingand singing. She received a double encjre for her singing of " TOt Interfering Parrot,"and also foragracefulacd difficultdance. Miss Jennie Opit a new member of tin Pollards, and is a decided acquisition, possessing a fine stage appearance and having a powerful and highly-trained contralto voice. She took the part of Lady Constance. The beautiful numbei " Because I Love You " was splendidly sung, and the young lady was accorded l treble recall. French characters suii Miss Gar lie Campion to perfection, and is Juliette Diunant she left nothing to be desired, acting with great vivac'.ty Vlr. Ernest Fit's took the part of Reginald Fairfax, and scored an undeniable success. His fine appearance and splen* iid voice admirably suited the part. He. was eminently good in the "Jolly Jac l *." Mr. W. S. Percy caused roars of laughter as W un-hi, the Chinese keeper of a tea-houso, his murdering ul she English language being very funny. His make-up was droll, and he acted in his usual clever manner. Mr. Charles Garter made a good Dick Ounningbam, and.his fine tenor voice was heard to i advantage. Mr. Alf. Stevens, as the Marquis Innri, was excellent, and pro voked much merriment. Mr. E. Nable was also gooJ, and the other characters were well taken. The choruses were splendidly rendered, and the effeot when all the performers were on the stage was extremely pleasing. An excellent orchestra, under Mr. Arthur King, provided the accompinying and incidental music. TO-NIGHT, the great moral and religious drama, '' Uncle Tom's Cabin," will be played, "hen there is certain to be another irge attendance.