"BLUEBELL IN FAIRYLAND."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 23 October 1907, Page 3

"BLUEBELL IN FAIRYLAND."

POLLARD'S JUVJiNILES.

The kindliest of recollections of Pollings old-time popular Lilliputians were revived at the Theatre Royal last night, nvhen the recently-organised Juvenile Company, under the wellknown management, opened a three nights season. The old associations nave not, nor indeed, were they likely to have been forgotten by theatre-goers who took a natural pride in the standard of art attainted by the youthful colonial artists of the Lilliputians' Jays and it is safe to predict that the excel' ent company now occupying tlio boards has already safely established itself on as permanent a basis in the affections of the jmblic as 'did the 'erstwhile favor.tes-the Misses Beattv, Messrs Percy, Qucnly and the host of other well-known names that, have since won exalted positions in their art Considering that Mr Pollard followed hart upon the Willoughby-Ward season, the house that greeted the raising of the eurtam must be considered a most satisfactory one, and it could not have be'e n more appreciative. It was quick to recognise that in the new combination there was much genuine talent, and a high average of ability. "Bluebell in Fairyland," as presented ?l n ' g n' exaet jT struoK th ® Popular taste. Its sparkle, scenic beauty, stirring music, and briliantly vivacious presentation could not but assure it na thwl Slt,on - • - The " T ,SMn 0f Hans A»'hr--i , I ,la,nt life so nbly portrayed by Charles Dickens It tells Of an unfortunate London flower tall , ?" 1 n W ? U!ly Philanthropist ™ k L- n ' Uy Intorest - Bluebell's sweetheart is a crossing-sweener XI i™lrJ ve %% two forms tlie theme of the nrettv quaint story, and prov ;.,, e5 t «£r the first act. The « WnZIP 1! P? r( "vn! of a dream of F T • * ,IP " to (he ole ; , •" ISSIOn I,c!n " to a waken the p '"°P"i2 king, who has slumbered B1 b°" rmni f' 10 " fl • t ' two PC ' loo lbovs, and he,r strange adventures while ™ I'iiiryland. and their return to London make a quaintly-portrayed story full of pathos relieve 1 by tlie clever and hum oi ous_ dialogue of Blib and Blob. The idds'to nY? n ny" y '" T(,n " i,r - Which' »Ms to rather than detracts from its Charm. Th ere is that in the perform : nvmh to th ° a lult min.l: they g lvo f 0 „ st scntation a freshness nml a simple earnestness winch prove quite irresistible. The blending of the voices is most hir- | momous m he choruses, and the actin* . ma, K<'<l I>.V a simple abandon that Hint" i a r' >l,y . T)ll '" Rin S naturalness that is most convineing. One of tb„ outstanding features of the piece is in, lancing, 111 yhidi even little (mitesl cleverly take pirt. The ballets are magnificent, and the individual dancing of a liafmv seldom, if cvor, surprised Oil local boards. The mounting is sptad.d throughout, and it would be d flienlt indeed, to give the palm to anv one scene in this respect Referring to the performers. Miss Minnie Topping, as Bluebell, has a vast amount of work to do, and she does it with a graceful charm that is most pleasing. Tier fresh mezzo-soprano voice and her sing",g, particularly in her duet with Dick, is delightful. Miss Lily Thompson takes the part of Dick with great credit, and infuses life and bright ness into her acting, while her attractive voice is heard frequently and to advantage . Miss Cissy O'Keefe as Water Lily, possesses a fine Contralto voice and gives capitil renditions of her items. _ The Aldous sisters, mere children, sing sweetly, and both are clever dancers. A light vein of comedy runs lhrough the performance. In the Civic in 18 ' ar " o, y supplied by Messrs Chas. Albert and Will. Pollard, while in the second act Masters Bert Nicholson and Leslie Druinmond, as Blib and Blob, serve to keep the audience in perpetual merriment. .Some excellent comedy is introduced by Messrs Ernest Schatz and Chas, Albert, the rekmincr lung and Queen. The Will-o'-tlie-Wisp, though her appearance is brief, is resposlble for one of the most beautiful scenes of the play—that in which she dances in Die fairy glade. The part of Peter the Cat is taken by Miss Edie Boulter, and her representation proves her power of mimicry All the other parts are nbly taken. The perform- , ance went off without a liitch. and was ; without doubt a distinct artistic suecess.

to-night. This evening Bluo Ball will re-appear, arid should, as slie richly deserves be greeted with a full theatre. To-mor-row evening wll be staged the excellently recommended "His Highness the Bey."