POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 72, 22 September 1898, Page 5

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY

Theatre-goers are deeply indebted to Mr. Pollard's energy during the last seven years for many excellent productions of comic opera and burlesque. That his capable attempts at catering for amusement-seekers have been appreciated is amply proved by the number and length of. the seasons he has played here. It is doubtful if there is any other theatrical organisation in the colonies that could visit Wellington four times yearty, and play seasons of from two to four weeks eaoh time with such financial success. But then Mr. Pollard bids highly for public patronage — he carries a large company of capable young people backed up by enterprise. His latest coup is by far the most expensive he has yet brought off. When we leavn that he pays Messrs. "Williamson and Musgrove considerably over £3000 for the New Zealand rights of the musical comedies "The Gay Parisienne" and "The French Maid," it will be seen that the risk is a big one. Still, Mr. Pollard's ideas of New Zealauders as playgoers are high, and that good opinion will doubtless be sustained. In purchasing " The Gay Parisienne '* and " The French Maid " a stipulation was made for all the original scenery, wardrobe, and effects, and these have come across direct from the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, so that patrons witnessing the first appearance of "The Gay Parisienne" on Monday next will see it staged with the same completeness as in Melbourne or Sydnej Miss Gertie Campion, who will be seen as Mdlle. Julie Bon Bon, "The Gay Parisienne," is a charming young soubrette and dancer, who has already made her name with " The Firm." She is acknowledged as being one of the best dancers the colonies have yet produced, and that she can act and sing is amply borne out by the fact that Mr. Williamson selected her to understudy Miss Ada Reeve in both " The Gay Parisienne " and " The French Maid." Her chance came in Adelaide, when through a bicycle accident Miss Reeve was laid up for a fortnight. Miss Campion undertook the name part in "The Gay Parisienne" with such success, that when Miss Reeve got. better, it is said, she sold her bicycle.