POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 117, 15 May 1909, Page 5

POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

It was in 1879 that the iirst company bearing the above title was formed, so that at the present time it is the oldest theatrical management in the Colonies., The second company was organised in 1891, in Melbourne. Among the original members were Willie Percy, Harry Quealy, Charlie Albert,. Alf. and Lily Stephens, Lily Everett, Edie Zeigler, Nellie Wilson, Gertie Campion, and many others. New Zealand was v visited; and the BeattysH—Maud and May—were covered" in Christchurch, Marion Mitchell and Cissy Samuels in Wellington, and Charlie Carter in Napier. Most playgoers;- are familiar; with the series of unbroken successes that followed. Year after year the company grew bigger and better. The repertoire was extended until it was Mr Pollard's boast that he corald play thirty-two pieces in asvmany nights,' without a prompt book or a rehearsal, and it' did not matter who left: or was ill, there was a competent substitute. The company attained its zenith in 1900, when the Perry Sisters and William Paull were brought over for'"The Geisha," and Albert Whelan for "The Belle, of New York." About this time Cupid began to let fly his neverfailing arrows, with, the result that several of the leading girls got married, and made excellent matches. At the present time it will prove interesting to learn how some of this company succeeded, and to emphasise the excellence of "The Pollard" training. May Beatty is principal-boy.at ; the Theatre Royal, Manchester; her sister, Maud, is leading woman at the American ; T'heatrej San Francisco; Nellie Wilson is principal boy at the Theatre Royal, yNewcastle-ori-Tyne; Wilmot Karkeek is playing leads in India with ■the Bandmann Company; Charlie (Carter is with, .thel Moody-Manners Opera Company at Covent Garden, London; Willie Percys Eddie is able and Dave O'Connor are principals with Williamson's Royal Comics; Alice Pollard is playing the name part in "The Merry Widow" with one of the 'George Edwardes English companies. In fact, one can hardly Ipick up an American, or English theatrical paper without seeing one of "The, Pollard" trained artists holding the highest positions on the stage. As Mr Pollard considers that up to now the present company is knowing more talent than the great one of 1901, it is safe to prophesy that before many years have passed we will hear of their success in the Old World.