POLLARD'S OPERA CO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 2

POLLARD'S OPERA CO.

The box-plan for the forthcoming season of this ever-popular combinnI tion was opened this morning, and | already a large number of seats have been booked. This was onl}- to be expected as not only arc The Pollards'' as they are familiarly called immense favourites, but they bring to our doors the latest London successes. The most popular of modern productions is 'The Gay Parisienne.' with which the season will be inaugurated. This celebrated piece is described as a twoact musical comedy, the lyric by George Dance, and the music by Ivan Caryii. It was first produced at the Duke of York's Theatre, London, in April, lSOfl, where it ran to crowded houses for over three hundred nights. At one time there were no less than eighteen companies touring1 the English provinces with this piece as the star attraction. It is said to have made more money for managers than any other piece since 'Pinafore.' The reason of this is not far to seek; laughter is the keynote of success in all modern productions, and as 'The Gay Parisienne' provides two hours and a ha-lf of incessant, merriment it was exactly what the business man needed to make him forget the troubles and worries of life. One English critic described 'The Gay Parisienne' as 'a merry mixture of musical, histrionic and sol'tatory art produced for laughing purposes only, set in a background of magnificent costumes, charming scenery, and characteristic properties.' Several of the numbers arc recognised musical gems, and most people are already familiar with the haunting strains of 'Susieue,' the quaint melody of 'Somebody Loves Me,' and the martial vigour of 'The Battersea Butterfly Shooters.'