TONI POLLARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1922, Page 2

TONI POLLARD.

AN INTERESTING CAREER. MEMORIES OF OTHER DAYS. The late Mr. T. Pollard, whose death occurred in Christchurch on Wednesday, was formerly a well-known theatrical manager and producer, whose operations extended for over thirty years in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Mr. Pollnrd. whose real name was Thomas Sullivan, was a native of Launceston (Tasmania), of which town the talented Pollard family were natives He joined the family in performances in that town, and continued with them as a member of the orchestra in the first place, when they went on tour. It was in such a capacity that he first visited New Zealand with the Pollards in the, 70’s. Later he became indispensable as the stage manager, and afterwards producer of the operas, in which May Pollard and others formed a happy and talented band, and it was on the death of their parents that Mr. Sullivan married May’s sister, and decided to carry on the traditions of the family on the stage by adhering to the family name, so Tom Pollard he became, and remained, whilst his brothers. Frank (advance manager for Lionel Walsh’s “Maid of the Mountains” Company), and John, remained Sullivans. In the late ’7o’s or early ’Bo’s it was Mr. Pollard who organised a juvenile opera company, which played very adroitly such operas as “Girofle Girofla,” “Les Manteaux Noirs.” “The Princes's of Trebizond,” “Olivette,” and “Boccaccio.” and such old-time operas bouffe. A little later that company, which toured India, was reorganised, and with a changed personnel returned to New Zealand, and played very successfully the earlier Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and some of the older school. Members of that company who will be remembered are Lily Everett (Mrs. Kilgour), Edith Zeigler (Mrs. Dave O’Connor). Mabel Russell, Nellie Wilson, Lily Stevens. Harry Quealy, Alf. Stevens. Mr. John Farrell, manager of “The Boy” Company., now at Wellington. was a member of this company for | a time. They played such operas as “The Mikado.” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Pinafore,” “La Mascotte,” “Olivette,” “Fantinitza.” Then a little later Mr. W. S. Percy joined the company as a boy, and later still Maud and May Beatty grew from childhood to young women, under the . eye of Mr. and Mrs. Pollard. Tn the ’nineties New Zealand became Pollard’s, favorite touring ground, and as the chip* dren grew up the company gradually emerged into an adult one. and for some years Mr. Pollard, under an arrangement with J. C. Williamson. Ltd., took over and produced the Williamson successes in New Zealand, during which period Mr. Bert Royle (still representative in New Zealand for J. C. Williamson, Ltd.), represented “the firm.” During that time such artists as the Perry sisters. William Pauli, Jennie Opie, Albert Whelan. Ernest Fitts, and other artists of note appeared under the Pollard banner, with Maud and May Beatty still in the leads. That combination was seen to effect in “The Geisha,” “The Belle of New York,” “In Town,” “The Gaiety Girl,” “The French Maid” (in which Gertie Campion, now of Auckland, made a hit). Less than twenty years ago Mr. Pollard. finding business not so good as it used to be, organised a South African tour, but almost from the outset of that venture misfortune dogged his and a disastrous fire at Durban destroyed the greater part of his extensive wardrobe and scenery plant. It was the beginning of the end. Mr. Pollard hung on as long as he could, end finally returned to Australia and New Zealand, but with ideas of settling down. Ten years ago he acquired an interest in the moving picture business as an exhibitor at Greymouth, and from that worked up a little circuit in that locality. In the meantime he made his home in Tuam Street. Christchurch, and prospering with the years, enlarged and developed the property until it and his garden were his great joy in life.