POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 297, 17 December 1901, Page 2

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

«. "FI.OEODORA." '. No company but Pollard's, and proba- i bly no musical comedy except " Floro-', dor*" would have induced even a ' moderate s.udience to have braved the sortoy weither if Monday evening to i be present at a theatrical performance, i |Yer, sir.h was r.i.a desire of th» public i to wituess the popular musical extravaganza named abwa that there was an i immense crowd gathe.-ed outside some ] time befoio the doors were open, and JI directly admission was gained thofi ticket (ifice was besieged by an eager i throng. The bookings for reserved ( seats were phenomenally large, and the ; fortunate holders might well congratulate thcmsalves on their foresight. The enormous sue ess of Pollard's prolonged season in .Auckland had evidently whetted the public appetite, and the vast audience present last night in a most unm'stakeable manner showed their appreciation of the entertainment provided for their delectation, the hib'tues of the pit making the bouse ring again with their lusty roars of hughter and applause. We have already given an outline of the slight story which serves to introduce a series of mirth-provoking incidents, coupled with good singiug and excellent burlesquing, set off by gorgeous dresses, splendid snitic accessories,and particularly clever dancing. The humourous portion of the comedy natun.ily centred around Twtedlepuncb (showman, phren ilrgis', etc.), and Mr W. Percy certtii.ly brought down the houae wi h hi« inimitable eccentricities. It just one of those parts which thoroughly delight an audience bent on bang -mused, and Mr Percy Ics". no opp rtunities of making the beas of i, some of his " gag " being very taking, and hi* musical burlesquing b.ing ficr»amiugly funny. Miss May Beitty (Dtlores) wos in her element in a very coneen'ttl role, «nl Miss Maud Beat'y i made a charming widow (l.a'Jy Holyro.xt who lud to aesutne ibe iniioceice of a y.-u..g' girl, and pretend not to know a thing or two which were within her ken. The acting and.singing of Messrs O'Connor and Carter were most p'easing to the audience, the latter especially exhibiting great improvement since his last visit here. Miss A. j Pollard (Angela Gilfain) filled her part with ve.-y phasing effect. TheDartr ohs in their dancing were recalled f again and again, the finale being in--1 tensely droll. The whole of the other I msmbsrs of tbo company showed that 1 they were to the task allotted 1 r.hem, and they gave most material aid ' to the successful production of the ' piece. Mention must also be made of the praiseworthy assistance given by a , very «fficient band. It is doubtful ; whether tbh famous company has ever i greater pleasure to a New Ply- [ mouth audience than on Monday 5 night, though tbey have still some delightful surprises in store for their ' patrons.

TO-NIGHT. A gr. at treat awaits the audienc? this evening, when Offenbach's "La Perichole" is to be staged. In the first pl»ce the mug'c is far and away above the general level of musical somedy, and is sure to please, being light, bright, and sparkling. There is .160 more of a plot than is usually to be found in this class of work, while not only are some of the situations highly drama ic, but there are occasional pithetic touches which serve to accentuate the lighter comedy. The part of the title role is one that requires the skill of a first-class artiste to impersonate effectively, and Mies Beatty has shown moat conclusively that she possesses the requisite abili'y to pnurtray the heroine iu a most successful manner. Abundant opportunity is given for the display of the musical and other powers of the various members of ihe company, nnd the tremendous favour with which this piece has been greeted when performed during the present tour should ensure \nother overflowing house this evening. Profiting by experience seits should be hooked early, whereby much disappointment and inconvenience will be avoided.