POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11347, 16 April 1900, Page 6

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

"THE GEISHA.". Once more the popular Pollards have returned to Auckland. This time they have brought with them that much-talked-of young lady from the land of the chrysanthemum, "The Geisha." Their season opened en Saturday evening at the Opera House, and the applause which greeted the entree of each of the principals must have assured them that their return was & welcomo event. The latest addition to the company's repertoire was chosen for the opening piece, and the fame which has preceded it was sufficient explanation for the large audience which assembled. It is now three years since " The Geisha" took the publio by storm, and the fact of having been so long in reaching us naturally, places it at a disadvantage. It can scarcely be classed as a novelty, and its representation lacked to a certain extent the interest attaching to something new. Everyone has been discussing it, and the musio has grown so familiar to most opera-goers that at would have become dreadfully hackneyed (long ago had not its beauty saved it, from I the possibility of such a, fate. Had Gilbert ! and Sullivan not given us " The Mikado," it is probable that we should not have had "Tho Geisha," or, at least, we would have mado its ■ acquaintance in anotlior guise, treated in another manner. In addition to dealing with Japanese life, the two have other points of similarity, but th ur » Mi* likeness ends. The more modern open, 'fries the body of the older; it is more flippant, so to speak, and altogether lighter. At lite same time, there is a sweetness *bout Sydney Jones' melodies that is virj fascinating. Quaint, like the people of the land of the rising sun, many of them havo an echo of pathos which is perhaps fhfc secret of the impression they have made. Tho story of "The Geisha' is very simple. Wun Hi, a notable Chinaman, who runs a teahouse, has among his geishas one most beautiful ti behold—the cynosure of all the male eyes for miles around. _ She is "The Geisha." Her name is 0 Mimosa San, and her beauty causes all tho complications which follow. Lieutenant Fairfax and a party of English naval oflicers make the acquaintance of Wun Hi's establishment, and, of course, tha gallant lieutenant falls a victim to tho charms of the littlo Mimosa, notwithstanding the fact that the fickle monster is at that very time engaged to a fair daughter of Albion called Molly Seamore. By one of those coincidences which the genius of comio opera brings about with such consummate ease, Molly, her aunt, Lady Constance . Wynne, and a party of girl friends are r.lso doing Japan. Lady Constance and her charges (with the exception of Molly, who, having a will of her own, chooses her mode of seeing the sights) light on the Teahouse of Ten Thousand Joys, and interrupt the tete-a-tete of tho sailor and the maid. The Marquis Imari, the bold man of the piece— can scarcely bo called the villain—who wishes to bestow the title of marquise upon Mimosa, arrives on the scene, and is incensed at Pairfax monopolising the object of v his affections. He requests, then commands, her presence, hut the glitter of gold buttons is too fascinating for her bright little almond eyes, and the Marquis has to stand alone with his dignity— which he has an extra largo stock. He waxes wrath, and much to tho consternation of the inscrutable i Wun, he cancels the license of the teahouse, and, after ordering tho sale of all the geishas, stalks off in dudgeon. Enter Molly Seamore, who hears from tho aunt that Fairfax has been flirting with the tea girl, Molly pouts; meets Mimosa; and in a fit of feminine fury, determines to join Wun Hi's bevy, > under the style and title of Roli I'oli San. The auction is, of course, the key to the situation,' The Marquis, outbid by Lady Constance for Mimosa, determines to annex the now geisha, whose disguise completely deceives her , English friends. The bidding begins and ends at 100 dollars, the purchaser being the Marquis. Roli Poli learns too late the reality of the situation, and is carried off ohez Imari. Consternation seizes her friends when they hear the truth, and all howls are put together to devise means to rescue the amateur goisha, Tho wedding day arrives,' and Juliette Diamant, ono of the geishas, : who would give her eyes to bo called marquise, is skilfully substituted \ for , the : now ; repentant Molly, who is restored to her friends, and—

but que voulez Voub? the tale ends as comio operas always ) have: ended - and always will end. ' 1 ■ Miss May Beatty took the part of Mimosa, and a fascinating little geisha she made. Her acting was artistic, and although she has not a wonderful voice, she sang her numbers very prettily. 1 "The Amorous Goldfish, and ■ "Tlio Jewel of . Asia," were the two songs in : which sho was most successful. Encores followed each of her solos,' and after "The Jewel of Asia" she received a double recall. As ■ Molly Seamore, Miss Wilmot Karkcek was rather too vivacious in the first act, but in tho second she was much better,,and her piquant ' songs were greatly applauded. ''The Interfering Parrot" and "Monkey on a Stick," " were especially popular. "Chon Kina" was another attractivo ditty, and with Mr. Fitts, she took part in the effective " Toy Duet," which was also encored. Miss Karkeels lias made considerable strides in her profession, and with further, careful training, gives promise of being one of the most useful members •of Mr. Pollard's company. Miss Campion, as Juliette Diamant, gave another of her clever impersonations of . a French miss. . After her duet, " Chitig-a-chinga-a-ree," ' with Mr. Percy, she was encored, and received a bouquet. ; Miss Opie took the part of ' Lady Constance Wynne admirably. As an interpolated item, sho fang " Never Again," which was enthusiastically received. Miss' Opie • was twice encored, and was also the recipient of a bouquet. 'Mr. Fitts, who played Lieutenant , Fairfax, still depends upon his singing for his success, but it is so good that it would cover a multitude of sins. The popular. "Star of My Soul" was his greatest hit, but his other numbers, including tho "Kissing Duet" (with Miss Beatty), and "Jack's tho Lad," were all rendered in fine stylo. 1 Mr. W. S. Pefcy had a most congenial par); in the garrulous Wun Hi, whose troubles without end drove him into such a frame of mind that ho did not know whether lie , was "cn his topsy or on his turvy," and was "quite upsplit." His Chine-English-Colonial slang lingo was very amusing, and supplied all the low comedy that was needed. " Ching, Ching, Chinaman," his solo, with an eccentric ' " tumblefication" between each verse, was one of the funniest things in the piece, and was loudly encored. Miss M. O'SuJlivan looked dainty as Ma'mi, Mimosa's attendant, and the other geishas wore Miss Alice Pollard, Miss L. Stephens, Miss N. Foord, and Miss L. Erickson. Misses Nellie Wilson, Daisy Davis, Claudia Palmer,'and Marie Metcalfe took the parts of Lady Constance Wynne's guests. Mr. Charles Carter and George Yung, and Miss Lily Mowbray as the. officers, ably backed up the gallant Lieutenant "Fairfax in his escapades. Mr. Alf. Stephens as the Marquis Imari had not much scope, but acted with his usual success. Mr. O'Connor (Captain Rat ana) rendered his only solo, " A Soldier's Life," very capably, other, characters wore taken by Misses Rosa Stevens, Edfb Zeigler, Annie Curtice, and Agnes Smith, and Messrs. Vaughan and Noble. •

. The scenery and staging were superb. There are only two sets in " Tho Geisha," but each is extremely beautiful, and bears eloquent testimony to the brush of the late George Gordon. They were among his latest work. The first scene shows the teahouse, wistaria-covered, in tho foreground, in a charming setting of nature's brightest tints, and scene two depicts & chrysanthemum fete in the grounds of the Marquis' palace. -Both are gorgeous scenes, and well do6ervo the praise that has been given them. The choruses in the piece, which are bright and tuneful, were well rendered by the chorus; - .especially ■ "Lamentation," in the first act. . Mr. Arthur King and his capable orchestra did full justice to the music, and accompanied with taste. >. ; "The Geisha" will be staged every night this week.