THE POLLARDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 122, 21 May 1909, Page 7

THE POLLARDS.

"HIS HIGHNESS THE.BEY."

THE CONCLUDING PERFORMANCE.

The Pollard Opera combination's Blenheim season was brought to-a close in the Town Hall last night with the staging of ' 'His Highness .the Bey" to a fair downstairs audience. The public have become so familiar 1 with the piece that it is unnecessary to particularise in detail. It was well staged -throughout, and the performance was decidedly enjoyable, even the minor parts being acted with that precision and .accuracy that invariably betokens versatility. faster Bert Nicholson was again a host in himself, and the manner in which he assumed the role of "The Bey" was screamingly funny. He is,' indeed^ a great comedian in. the making, an- it is ( quite safe to. say that he has few equals in the Dominion at, the present time. Mr J. Willis, as -ixnan, Caliph of Harran, also supplied a good deal, of the Humorous element, while Mr Charles Albert^ as Count/Casino Skiffieovitch, the Russian Ambassador, was. always appreciated, his dancing '< being probably a feature of the performance. IV+r Bert Williamson's interpretation of a w,ar correspondent was hardly effective, and his actions were not those of a real lire journalist

sent to the seat of war by an enterprising newspaper proprietary, such as the New York Daily Telegraph. Miss Minnie Topping proved herself an adept in the acting of her part, Gladys Coyne, an American heiress. She was clever and quick-witted, which generally characterises the American ladies. Miss Cissie O'Keefe as Georgia, a slave girl, appeared to better advantage than she aid in the role of Captain Clyde Burke in the '•'Gay Hussar." Her singing was delightful to listen to, particularly "Down in the Deep," in which she ■was ajble to show to full advantage her rich contralto voice, and the encore she received was indeed -merited. .Mr I <*eorge Edwards was effective as Ali ■Ben Grouchi, a Turkish insurgent. The other "parts were capably rendered, and when the original '"His xlighness the Bey" appeared on the scene in the final act many expressions of regret were given vent to that Pollard's season had come to an end in Blenheim.