The Pollard Opera Co.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 258, 30 November 1903, Page 4

The Pollard Opera Co.

THE DURBAN FIRE. It will be learned with regret by the many admirers of the popular Pollards, now touring South Africa under the style of the Royal AustraTian Opera Company, that their loss by fire, which, on October 20th, broke out in the Durban- Theatre Royal, was exceedingly heavy. Interviewed by a representative of the Natal Advertiser on the clay after the fire, Mr W. O'Sullivan gave the following particulars of Ihe company's loss : —The property destroyed included the whole of the dresses for 13 different comic operas—tlie repertoire of the company. Apart from this there are numerous private losses sustained by members, in the way of special dresses. The most serious item of loss to the company is that of the "Pjin-Djin" properties —the original cost of the 'dresses aind scenery for this piece being #SOOO. Miss Gertie Campion, the leading laidy, has suffered a serious private loss, and Miss Faircbild has also lost three very expensive dresses. The only artiste who has saved a complete set of '-'props-." for one one piece is Mr Percy. The damage to the theatre itself is comparatively small, and covered by insurance, whale on the other hamd the company's property is without insurance. The management of the company is awkwardly situated, being so many miles from headquarters, and it is feared that some time will have to elapse before sufficient dresses can lx: procured for the company to proceed with their tour, On the morning after the conflagration the pressman found the whole of the company present working in various stages of dishabile, at the blackened and soaking remains of what once represented about £SOOO worth of dresses and properties. It is believed that the fire originated among the immense store of properties belonging to Mr Pollard's company. At one time the flames actually caught the scenery used in a production of "The Casino Girl" on the previous,evening. According to the paper quoted the company contemplated being able to stage another opera after abput a week's delay.