"Les Cloches de Corneville."

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5069, 14 April 1885, Page 2

" Les Cloches de Corneville."

Pollard's Lilliputians last night presented the above opera to a good audience in the Academy, and their excellent rendering of the music of the composition, and the precision of their Maypole dance and ballet were themes of general admiration, jhe opera has been previously produced on the Thames by the same company, and its plot therefore does net require detailing. To Miss de Lorme was entrusted the part of Jean GreDicheaux, and it is needless to say more than that that lady displayed her good taste and attention fully to the requirements of it, aud was several times durinf Hie evening recalled by the audience. Miss May Pollard was a captivating Serpolette, and fully earned the plaudits she received; Miss Bella Stewart's Germaine was a very even performance; the Marquis was very carefully represented by Miss Wallace; and Misies Brooks and Donnelley made much of the fun allotted to the respective parts of the Bailie and his Gobb. Last, but by no means least, Master Ferguson gave a very intelligent rendering of the miserly Gaspard. To-night, Yon Suppe'a " Fata., nitza " is promised to be produced on a scale of spectacular splendour never before seen on the Thames. The events of the opera turn on the complications arising from a young Russian officer, disguising himself as a female; he is seen by an old General who falls in love with him. ; After some time this difficulty is got over, and the young officer meets with and falls in love with the General's neice, which is not approved of by the General, who sends the Lieutenant to a distant' station, where all sorts of fun again arises. Owing to the old General visiting it with bis neice, at some private theatricals ho sees, his lady love in the young officer who plays a female part in them. The neica and quondam actress are carried oft by Bashi Bazouksand several matters of complication are arranged by the übiquitous press^ man—a war correspondent. The &csdq changes to a Turkish harem and an escape is effected. The wind up is in the usual happy manner, the two young lovers being united. " Fatinitza " being one of the Pollard company's greatest successes, and being new to a Thames audience, should secure a large audience. .