THE LATE MR. TOM POLLARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6483, 7 September 1922, Page 3

THE LATE MR. TOM POLLARD.

NOTED NEW ZEALAND PRODUCER.

The death occurred last week at his residence in Christchurch of Mr Tom Pollard, a veil known, as the founder of Pollard’s Juvenile Opera Company. Mr Pollard, who was 64 years of age, had been ill for some two months, but until a fortnight before his death [ hopes were entertained for his recovery. ■ Mr Pollard represents the last I of the old school of Australian producers and his passing recalls the fact -that "the company he formed developed under his direction into one of the greatest schools for comic opera in; the annals of the stage. The achievements of the Pollard ’’boys and girls” have made the name known all over the world, and to-day the fact of having . been through the ■ ranks of ‘'‘‘Pollards” is accepted as a liall-mark of capability. Mr Pollard was born in Launceston, Tasmania, His father was Sub-Inspec-tor O’Sullivan, a wonderful linguist and a man who bad served in the British Army (Northumberland Fusiliers) before joining the Australian police. Tom Pollard was educated in Launceston and took un a career as a. builder. In those ’.days a noted school of music was directed by Mr. James Pollard, the father of the lady MrVPollard subsequently married. Mr Tom Pollard had no intention in his young days of taking to the stage, but he was always fond of music, and at 17 years of age could play the violin well enough to be leader of the orchestra controlled by the man who later became his fa-ther-in-law. He was ’drummer boy in St. Joseph’s Band in Launceston under the baton of Mr Alex. Wallace, and lie ultimately became solo horn player. On several occasions he toured in the orchestra with theatrical organisations and was also in dramatic organisations for some time. One of his earliest engagements was to play for Richard Stewart’s “Rainbow Revels” company and lie was also with Simonsen.’s Opera Company and the Josephine Wangenlieim Dramatic Company. When Mr James Pollard organised his first Liliputian Opera Company, Mr Tom Pollard (then known as O’Sullivan) went with this company in the orchestra for the purposes of a holiday tour of three months. The origin of this company was largely accidental. Mr Jas. Pollard had a large family and he organised a. performance of '‘Pinafore" in Launceston. It was chiefly a family aliaino fewer (ban fifteen of his own sous and daughters being in the production. The success of that venture led to it being transferred to Hobart, and thorp it was suggested that Mr James Pollard should take it on torn-. The company came to New Zealand and opened at Invercargill in ISSI. Subsequently the organisation went to India and the East. Mr James Pollard died in Queensland. It was at about this time that Mr Tom Pollard married Miss Emily Pollard, who was with the company. After Mr James Pol-

lard’s death Mr Tom Pollard with his brother-in-law, Charles Pollard, took over the company. It was at this time that he changed his name from

Tom O’Sullivan to Tom Pollard, in order to retain the family name in the theatrical world.

After a short time the partnership between Mr Tom Pollard and his brother-in-law terminated, Mr Charles Pollard going out of the business for some years. Mr Tom Pollard _ returned to Tasmania and' took over -the control of theatres in Hobart and, Lapnceston. Later he toured with the Simonson Opera Company, and with the Wangenlieim Dramatic Company. In ISDO he was persuaded by J. C. iWlliamson to take out another company, Mr Williamson for a little while retaining an interest in it. It was with this company that Mr Pollard made his first venture alone, and it was this company which developed into a combination that produced Maud and May Beatty, W. S. Percy, Marion Mitcheli. Nellie Wilson, Charles Carter, Edward Nable, D. B. O’Connor, John Ralston, Charle-s Albert, Alf. Stephens, Harry Quealey. the Ivarkeeks, George Young, Gertie Campion and a host of others. Percy made his first appearance on the stage with this company and his performance in Dunedin was so disappointing that Mr Pollard despaired of ever making an actor of him. Fortunately for him and for the stage, Johnny Farrell, now a manager with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., took ill and Percy took his part at. short notice in Christchurch. His success was so emphatic that the previous decision to

send him home was reversed and Perev became one of the brightest stars of the Pollard School. The Pollard Lilipution- Opera Company toured through New Zealand and Australia for many years, producing a wonderful variety of pieces from grand opera to pantomime and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Amongst the works in the company’s repertoire were :—An Adamless Eden. Aladdin, Boceacio, The Bohemian Girl, Djin Djin (by Bert Royle). Trminie, Falka. Fatinitza. Girofle. Girofla. J.n Town. I.es Cloches de Corneville, La Mascotto, Madame Eavart, Madame Angot, Nell Gwynne, Olivette, Paul Jones, Prince Bulbo (by Towle, the then, conductor of the company), Rip van Winkle. The Merry War, La Pericliole, Montana (the Gilbert and Sullivan operas), The Little Duke, The Princess of Trebizende, La Fillo du Tambour Major, La Poupee, The Belle of New York. Saucy Susie (by Bert Royle), The Casino Girl, The Geisha, Floradora, The Toreador, The Rose of Persia, Tapu (by Alfred Hill), The Gay Parisian, The French Maid, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Messenger Boy, and others.

The company grew up so that the word “Juvenile" which displaced “Lilipution ’’ had to be dropped and as an adult organisation was- carried on. The first breakaway from the ranks of the company was made by Miss May Beatty. Her sister Maud had previously married and left the .ptage, but May during a holiday in Australia was given an opportunity with J. C. Williamson. and Mr Pollard released her to enable her to do work in a wider sphere. When the International Exhibition

held in Christclim-ch was being organised, Mr Pollard was asked, by Sir Joseph Ward to take charge of the entertainments in the Concert Hall. The work was increased later to complete control of all the amusements other than outdoor sporting events in the Exhibition as Director ■ of Entertainments. At the close of the Exhibition in 190 b Mr Pollard decided to reenter the theatrical business and organise the New Pollard Juvenile Company, which began its - career with “Bluebell in Fairyland," a piece which stablished a record for popularity, being presented to crowded houses, twen-ty-eight night, performances and eight matinees in Christchurch within three months. This company subsequently produced “The Isle, of Bhong Bhong," “His Highness , the Bey" '(both American), “The Gay Hussars” (by an Auckland dC'Ctpr), “Manola," “Rip van. Winkle," “Miss Hook of Holland," and several others. The member. l ) of the company grew up and it became necessary again to disband. Mr Pollard then entered the moving picture business and established himself in Greymouth, continuing in charge of his'circuit on the Coast until his last illness.