POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9550, 23 July 1909, Page 5

POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

1 The Company concluded their sea- f son in Mastertcn last evening with p the staging of Lecoq's wt 11-known opera "Mar.ola," and in spite of the execrable weather there was a large v attendance at the Town Hall. Judg- d ine by the frequent and hearty ap- n probation "Manula" was probably t more appreciated by the audience han th 3 production of the previous evening. The scene of "Mancla" is s laid in Portugal during the seven- 1: teenth century. The first act takes ti place in the courtyar:! of Don Bazaro's palace, and here it is at once apparent that the cjnpany has v spared no expense to make the a dresses and mountings of the ch;irm- n ing play thoroughly representative j of the grandeur of Portugal in those days. No detail is wanting from the F gay costumes of the cavaliers to the spangled dresses pf the Jadies in r ' to inake the scC-ne tine of special brilliancy, and the effect of tne colouied lights dashing on the ?cvne ev-keJ tremendous enthusiasm. The piece abounds with that bright sparkling, catchy music so dear to < the heart of thu public, and which i the composer has so cleverly and < enchantin»ly interwoven in the I romantic opera. As Don Bazrao, Mr s Chas. Albert gave in excellent pourtrayal of a difficult part, and the little singing he did treat the audience to was well received. The role of Don Calabazar by Master Bert Nicholson was perfect. This young man with his droll actions and sayings succeeded in keeping the audience in "continuous merriment during the evening. Miss Cissie O'Keefe as Miguel, Miss Minnie Topping as Manola, gave very clever interpretations of their parts, and Miss Madeline Knight aa Teresa was worth of special mention. These three young ladies rendered "Little God of | Lov3" in a charming manner, the . voices blending to perfection. Probably the most fascinating portion of . the programme was the trio song 1 "My Castle in Spam,' and acrobatic r dance introducd into the beginning of j the third act by Misses Aidous and ] Trixie Ireland. The various other characters were in capable hands being well interpreted.