Pollard's Opera Company

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7412, 30 September 1902, Page 2

Pollard's Opera Company

" Patience."

Gilbert and Sullivan's opera " Patience" mnde its first appearance in PalTherston JS'nrtfi last night when the Pollards produced it at tlio Theatre Koyitl. Though it is fully ten years since the company staged the opera it went with a awing and abandon that was perfectly delightful, the catchy choruses and solos being sang with a full conception of the pretty music that induced more than one recall As is generally known, the opera differs entirely from the works the public has been treated to in more recent seasons of the company, but withal it was none the less pleasing Though, as already stated, it is ten years since the company previously staged the opera careful rehearsal was evident in all the concerted music, the trios, quartettes and choruses being sung with admirable taste and precision. The oueuing chorus, in particular, '■ Twenty lovesick maidens," was especially well sung as was also the subsequent one by the Dragoons, and the concluding chorus to each scene, Hiss Connie Buttel took the name part, '" L'ittit'ni'e," a dairy maid, and acquitted herself admirably. Her solos were all received with the appreciation they deserved. r?ite !i:id to repeat a portion or the catL-liy melody. "Love is a plaintive song." Miss Alice EJgar, as "Lady Jane," took a leding role with credit to herself. Her solos were nicely rendered, and her acting forcible . Minor paris were taken by Misses N. Wilson, A. Smith, aiid J. Eamsay (Lubes AugeU, Sophie, and Ella). The two poets, ".Reginald Bunthonie," a ! ileshly poet, am " Archibald Grosvenor," an idyllic poet, wire represented by Messrs Percy and O'Connor, and assisted by Mr H C^uealey, as " Major Murgatroyd," they were responsible for the humor and comedy of the piece. The former gentlemen's exaggeration of ,the failings alleged to bo possessed by I'poets excited r'oirs of laughter, which were renewed when they proceeded to read " a little thing of my own." The other parts wore filled by Messrs llalston, Carter, and Young, as Colonel Calverley, Lieut. The Duke of Dunstable, and a solicitor respectively. Taken altogether, the piece was most successful, and • all present were thoroughly satisfied with the production. To-night the Company will appear for the last time in •' Florodora,"