"THE BELLE OF CUBA."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 56, 11 March 1910, Page 5

"THE BELLE OF CUBA."

Although the weather was not at! all favourable last night, the debut j of "The Belle of Cuba" before a J Blenheim audience was most successful. There was a good attendance of the public, and the piece was all that was claimed for it. "The Belle of Cuba" is essentially a comedy, j and musical at that. The piece, as • the title implies, is cast in Cuba, and on the plantation of a rich man in the person of Senor Muria, who has an only daughter, who, he desires, shall marry a man ' with a title. While his thoughts are concentrated upon this whim, Lord Henry Clay appears on the scene. Senor Muria decides upon the spot that Lord Clay shall marry his daughter Castelina, and despite the protests of his lordship, who already has a wife, he is dragged off to the Senor's house to discuss the prospects of his marriage. Lord Clay, upon the advice of Castelina, who loves a cigar-roller named Partigas, humours Senor Muria and generally has a good time flirting with two stall holders, Coquetas and Florafina. He is engaged talking mere nothings when his wife communicates with him from the neighbourhood by means of a tireless telephone apparatus which they both carry, and then the fun begins. The antics he goes through and the peculiar expressions he gives vent to keep the audience laughing incessantly throughout the piece. This mirth-provoking is only increased when Lady Clay appears on the scene and finds his lordship flirting with the stall-holders. The audience fairly screamed at this stage of the performance and a little later were sent almost into convulsions by Lord Clay's humour. He succeeds in evading matrimony with the charming Castelina, but instead acts as judge of a singing competition among three rivals for Castelina's hand in the persons of Partigas, Manuel Garcia Alonso, and Aguila D'Or. The three lovers have created a strike amongst the workman on the plantation, and have imprisoned Senor Muria, but he escaped from his prison and appears, at the competition, and when Partigas is evidently declared the successful competitor the Senor discloses his identity, but is repulsed by Aguila DOr, who created the strike as a protest against Castelina's being wedded to a foreigner. The workers refuse to continue • work unless he alters his decision, which he does, giving the hand of his daughter to Partigas The piece is delightfully pretty, the scenery being beautiful and the dresses very fascinating. The various parts were well sustained. Miss Minnie Topping, as Castelina, was clover and attractive. Mr Jack Willis filled the role of Senor Muria to perfection. Miss. Clarice Buckniann and Miss May Topping were admirable cigar stall-holders, and soon became warm favourites with the audience. Miss Cissie^ O'Keefe was quite at home in the impersonation of Lady Clay, her acting being more in keeping with her ability than her essays in "Miss Hook. 1' While all these artists were good, they were overshadowed by Mr Charles Albert, who, as Lord Clay, was irresistible. Mr (J. Edwards as Arguila DOr (a boaster and agitator) carried out his part well, and Mr Wifred Hilary as Manuel Garvia Alouso, Senor Muria's foreman, was also good. The singing and dancing throughout were of a high older, and clearly demonstrate that the Pollard combination is gaining strength. That it is appreciated is shown by the large attendance of the public at the performances nightly.

"OLIVETTE."

The Pollards will conclude their season to-night Avith a performance of Audran's romantc opera "Olivette." This opera has some charming numbers running through it, viz., "In the North Sea Lived a Whale," "Bob up Serenely," "Ruin, Ruin," and the serenade "Darling, Good Night." The scenery, lighting effects, and dresses will be on the same extensive scale which characterises all the Pollard productions. To-night will be absolutely the last appearance of the Company in Blenheim for some considerable time, as they are contemplating a long and extensive tour of Australia.