POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3116, 16 February 1909, Page 5

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

"THE GAY HUSSAR."

A well-filled house greeted that ' favourite combination Pollard's 1 Opera Company at its opening performance of a four nights' season at * the Masterton Town Hall last even- ' ing. The piece selected for the ' initial performance in New Zealand ; in connection with the present tour was the musical comedy "The Gay Hussar." The choice was a good one, ' as the piece is of a bright character, bristling with humourous situations, full of pretty melodies. The plot, moreover, while being of a sufficiently substantial nature to* sustain around it the erection of a fairly solid framework of interesting situations, is very easy to follow, and works out not altogether in detail as might be anticipated, thus rendering the comedy the more satisfying to the average playgoer. The libretto is by T. W. Urahame, and has the dual merit of being unorthodox and yet very vvitty. There are no witticisms of the ancient order rehabilitated with transparent modern garments, while the music, which is by Thomas Humphreys, is charmingly in keeping with the dainty love stories around which the comedy revolves. The thread of the piece lies in the desire of an impecunious Yioble, Lord Cuilfail, to reimburse his family exchequer by bringing abuut the marriage of his son, the Hon.Rev. Algy, a most inane' curate, to Enid Marmont, a ward in chancery. But Enid's heart yearns for Captain Clyde Burk, a handsome though poor young Irishman, in the Hussars, who in turn loves Enid passionately. This Lotd Cuilfail knows, and he uses as his tool to thwart the matrimonial designs ot the lovers, the Colonel of the Hussars, Colonel McAllister, who, to win the hand of the Colonel's sister, Lady Brookfield, lends himstlf to underhand work, whereby it is hoped to separate the lovers. On learning that Enid and Capta n Burk become betrothed, Lord Cuilfail uses his influence with the V/zr Office to have the whole of the Hutsars ordered off to Japan. Buttle fidelity of Enid and her girl frien a j to their loveri in the regiment induces them to volunteer as nurses, and the Hussars are overjoyed to meet their faithful sweethearts in the Land of the Rising Sun soon after the regiment's arrival: Just as Enid and Captain Burk are, in common with the other officers, julilating over their re : union, word comes that Lord Cuilfail has caused £he War Office to order the recall of the nurses, on His Lordship leam'ng that Enid is one of them. Not to be defeated Enid and Captain Burk, along with Lieut.-C'iionel Hope and Maud McAllister, daughter of the Colonel, rush off an j ere forthwith marriad by a Japan se priest. Lord Cuilfail's wrath is great at this, lu it melts like mist when he finds that the Hon. Algy, his son, has become similarly married to 0 Numi Mumi San, the daughter of an extremelv weil.hy potentate in the C >urt of Ninpin. The comedy is supplied by "Bobs," j Captain Burk's cosier .servant, and his pretty caster sweetheart, Marv Louieey, the Hon. Algy being also agenerous contributor to the hurrtcur of the piece. As Enid Mar.nont Miss Minnie Topping was a great favourite, her singing being excert onally tuneful, and her acting bright and vivacious. She was ertrusted with several leading solos, and in all she received emphatic encores. " Love-making" was one of her best numbers, "It's a Funny Little Way" reing also well received. Capt. Clyde Burk was taken by Miss Cissie O'Keefe. She pos.sesses a beautiful contralto voice of great range, and the audience redemanded every item of her numerous solos. "Colleen Asthore'* and "0 Numi San" were two of her best efforts. In her acting she was equally successful. Mr Charles Albert seemed to have struck a character built to order in the Hon. Re". Algy. He pourtrayed in clever caricature a curate so "overloaded with brains" that the merest commonplaces completely mystified him. Withuut the Rev. Algy the comady would be a frail structure indeed, even though it included Master. . Bert Nicholson. The latter as* "Bobs" was a prime favourite. His patter was immense, and kept the audience intensely amused. Master Nicholson is undoubtedly one of the cleverest comedians ever included in a Pollard caste, which perhaps is a sufficient testimonial for the most ambitious funmaker. Mr Wilton Welch as Lieut.-Colonel Hope, fulfilled a fairly important part very capably, his musical items being appreciated, likewise with Miss Ruby Esdaile, as Maud McAllister. Miss Ivy Aldous, as "Mary Louisey." is a claver little lady, who dances and sings with equal grace, and wins generous applause. MrJ. Willis, as Lord Cuilfail, Mr Ernest Schatz as Colonel McAllister, and Miss Millie Cruickshanks as Lady Brookfield, have allotted to them characters calling for good treatment, but earning little appreciation on account ot their nature, but all three thoroughly satisfied the audience. Miss May Topping was a "sweet little thing" as 0 Numi Mumi San, while the numerous subordinate characters were all well sustained. The settings were both very attractive, especially the representation of the Japanese kiosk. A special feature of the production was the splendid orchestial music, which makes materially for success. The chorus work of the company is so very good as to be entitled to special mention. In the chorus are some very gifted singers judging by . the easy manner in which they negotiated difficult passages in music. Altogether, the whole production will give such a strong first impression that a big season's business should be an assured matter for the clever company. To-night "His Highness the Bey" will be staged, when there should he another big audience to greet the youthful musicians and comedians.