"THE ISLE OF BONG BONG."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9045, 11 March 1908, Page 5

"THE ISLE OF BONG BONG."

ANOTER CROWDED AUDIENCE.

Pollard's Opera Company appeared at the Town Hall again last evening, when a crowded audience again greeted them in the production of the fascinating musical comedy "The Isle of Bon?: Bong." The plot centres around *ke acquisition of an island in the Philippines known as Mindoro, by an English nobleman named Lord Percy Fitzmaurice. 'this titled personality finds on arrival at his newly acquired possession that Dolores, a daughter of the former deceased owner of the estate, is a somewhat dangerous lady, who, without knowing who his lordship is, informs him, at the point of a formidable dagger, that jhe is awaiting the arrival of the usurper to deal with him in a style which does not appeal to the English scion. The latter, therefore, without stating the reason induces his servant, Gordon St. Bernard, master of his Lordship's hounds, to personate his master, and -the two exchange positions. Naturally many humourous situations arise, and Gordon treats his master in a most humiliating fashion before all and sundry, to the chagrin of his Lordship, but the delight of the audience. The bogus Lord falls in love with all the fair ladies he meets, promises to marry each individually, borrows money from ixll hands, and is ultimately elected to the honourable but dangerous post of Game Commissioner of the island. The chief duties attaching to this post were the fighting of man-easing tigers singlehanded, and in the final scene of tha -play an uproariously funny spectacle was preaented by the alleged Lord being in "deadly" conflict with a very docile tiger. The real Lord Fitzmaurice finds his affinity in Marjorie Grey, a vivacious American girl, who acts as secretary of the estate, and who returns his Lordship's love without knowing his identity. The Sultan of Bong Bong is a gentleman of very dissipated habits, whose tendency to mortgage his island—a floating habitation of several square yards' area—leads him into penurious ways. He succeeds in winning the affection of Mrs Reginald "Mordyke-Reusaeller-Reusaeller, a widow so much married that she finds it difficult to remember the last husband's name. Mr G. Rafter Saunders, an American politician, and a match-maker, "working the Philippine field," finds ample scope for his policy in the unsophisticated surroundings. The acting throughout was unexceptionable. Master Bert Nicholson, as Gordon St. Bernard, keeping the audience in roars. Master W. Pollard, as the politician, and Messrs Bert Williamson (Lord Fitzmaurice), Charies Albert (the Rajah of Bong Bong) and H. Quealy (General Caramba, a patriot) filled their respective roles to perfection. Miss Minnie Topping (the widow) and Miss C. O'Keefe (the lady secretary) also gave excellent interpretations, and the singing of these two ladies was a feature of the performance. Miss L. Thompson (Dolores) and Miss May Topping (Paquita, daughter of the Rajah) also sustained their parts in a capable manner.

The music was tuneful and catchy, and the arrangement of the tableaux was carried out in such a way as to give the choruses full vocal effect. Among the many pretty solos and duos the following were the pick: — "Diplomacy," "Dear Illinois," "Thu Man in the Moon," and "Ask the Man." The costumes were on a sumptuous scale and the spectacular effects were quit 3 up to the best hitherto seen in Masterton. the opening scene, the isle of Mindoro, being a really magnificent setting. The whole production was equal to Mr Tom Pollard's best effort, which is saying enough, and the return of his clever company will be eagerly anticipated in Masterton