Pollard's Opera Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 139, 6 October 1896, Page 3

Pollard's Opera Company.

"RIP VAN WINKLE." It is generally regarded as a safe thing to lead off with trumps, and Mr Tom Pollard observed the well-worn whist maxim and led off la -t evening ■with the lest card in his hand. The Princess Theatre with its increased accommodation was not large enough to seat the crowd that turned np to see Planquetie's charming work "Rip Van Winkle." Although the weather was not on its best behaviour the crush intense, and numbers had to be content with standing room only. For a rfce-audience it was enthusiastic, and there were 110 signs of the rowdy element. The plot was followed with intense interest, and the silence at times showed what a hold the play had on the audience. There was but one fault, but to some it was a serious one. A play that doesn't come out until after the prohibited hour when the proverbial man can't see the proverbial dog without running the risk of being brought up for a breach of the Licensing Act, loses many of its charms ; hut when the audience insists on encore after encore 11 o'clock must come round long before the curtain falls. The opera was staged in a manner worthy of the management, and Mr Tom Pollard must tie congratulated on the result of his efforts and those of his clever company. The dressing was 011 a very rich scale and the scenery was particularly striking. The interest centres round the Rip of Mr Alf Stevens, and it may be put down as his very best character. He has had a number of "bests," including ■'Gaspa rd," but in Rip he fairly excels. Everything he has yet done sinks into insignificance beside it. He is faultless throughout, and his acting in the third act, when he rises from his 20 years' sleep in the Kaatskilis is worthy of Jefferson himself. Next to " Rip " little Eily O'Sullivan strikes one as particularly clever in "Little Jan,'' her dialogue and singing having a charm that fairly captivated her hearers. Miss Emily Metcalfe made a splendid Gretehen, and Miss May Beatty was, as she always is, a distinctly -"taking" Katrina. Miss Nellie Wilson made an admirable Captain Rowley. MrE. Nable's Dick Vedder was a fine piece of character acting, while Mr W. Percy made a good villain, Derrick von Sinus. Mr H. Quealy has been seen to greater advantage than in Knickerbocker. Master A. Stephens had a small part as little Hans, but what he did do he did well. The other characters in the first act all gave satisfaction. Act II was conspicous for n smart scene up the Kaatskilis amongst the goblins, and in which Miss A. Smith, a Sydney young lady with a very line soprano voice, sang the pipe song splendidly, receiving rounds of well deserved applause. Master C. Albert, of " Insect" renown made up well as the Goblin Dwarf, and his fellow goblins showed off some very tine dresses. " Wideawakeville" in Act 111 brings out some of the richest costumes the company has yet shown, and introduces Miss Maud Beatty, a universal favorite. The dresses of the ladies were a most attractive feature, and expense had evidently been a very ; minor consideration. ; The choruses were all well sung and the grouping and posing were perfect. The orchestra tinder the baton of Mr H. T. Harrison lent another charm to perhaps the best production the company has yet staged. On Thursday evening " Rip " will be repeated. To-night another great draw in " The Black Cloaks," the plot of which has already been noticed in the Standard, will be staged, and another bumper house is assured.