ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11366, 8 May 1900, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE POLLARD SEASON.

Last night the Pollards revived Audran's well-known comic opera, "Olivette," and, the unpropitious weather notwithstanding, there was a very largo audience. It is now some four years since the same company were seen in this opera. " Olivette" is of vastly different calibre to any of tho recent productions of the Pollards, being legitimate comic opera as distinct from musical comedy. Tho plot is considerably in cvidenco throughout, and is complicated and unravelled again in a "book" of more than ordinary wit. So that it was no mean task that was set to the artistes who filled tho caste last night. Miss May Bcatty, who seems to develop fresh charms and graces in every part she fills, made a perfect Olivette (played on the last occasion by Miss Marion Mitchell), not only looking the character, but acting it as though it had been made for her. And this is one of tho main secrets of Miss Beatty's success— she is thorough in all she does, Her singing last night was admirable. Her numbers included " The Sob Song," " The Convent Slept," "Torpedo and tho Whale," "I Shall Always Love You," and duet with Miss Opie, "Nevermore the Tongue Can Tell," and all were rendered with great sweetness, the applause which greeted them being unstinted and prolonged. Miss Jennio Opie's performance of tho part of the Countess was one of tho most finished and artistic of the evening. Miss Opie was eminently at homo in the character, and mado it stand out as a notable ono by her clover conception of it. Gowned like a queen, and with a queenly carriage to boot, she was in admirable harmony with her surroundings, and her singing of tho sweet number, "Nearest and Dearest" fairly took the audience by storm. Scarcely loss successful was she in the other numbers falling to her lot, inclusive of tho duet with Miss Beatty. As Velontine, tho saucy maid, Miss Gertie Campion had little to do but look pretty. Nevertheless sho succeeded in raising the part above the commonplace, by her fascinating rendering thereof. The part of Valentine, previously undertaken by Miss Maud Beatty, was last night entrusted to Mr, Charles Carter, who, though a trifle nervous, deserves the utmost credit for giving, as he did, a really sterling performance. His part was one of the most difficult in the opera, being practically a double one, but, whether as the lover or the " spurious" sea captain, he was equally successful.. His fine tenor voico was heard to great advantage in tho solo, " Good-night." Mr. W. Percy played his original,- part of. tho Due do Ifs, and handled it so artistically that it was one of the hits of tho evening. In his solo, "Bob up Serenely," ho was exceptionally good, introducing several telling local gags into it, which produced a series of recalls. Mr. Alf. Stephens was good as the " sad sea-dog Mernmac, though his business would bo the better for a liltlo moderation in places. At tho same time his general conception of the part was capable and humorous, _ fully deserving the applause it gained. Air. Harry Quealy, as tho idiotic Coquelicot, was responsible for most of the mirth. His makeup was intensely ludicrous, and his business" so extremely funny as to cause incessant and uproarious laughter. Mr. Quealy lias seldom given us a better bit of lowcomedy than his drunken scene in the second act Had this been overdrawn it would have spoilt tho whole effect, but it was carefully restrained, and irresistibly comical in consequence. Mr. D. O'Connor, in the small part of Do Bericux, gave the. rollicking nautical ditty, "Jamaica Rum in splendid style, and gained a well-merited encore. the minor parts were also well filled The. quintette in the second act, the quartette in the third, and all tho choruses, were most efficiently rendered, whilst the orchestration was a noticeable feature. Taken as a who the production was excellent, and must take its place as one of the Pollards best. the plot is well known, as is most of the music, and, both being so well interpreted by the clever artistes concerned, it is almost certain that on its second and final production tonight, it will be played to a full house. Tomorrow nieht, and on Thursday, Paul Jones" Will be produced, with Miss Jennie Opie in the title role. On Friday night "The Geisha" will ho revived, by request, and the season will end on Saturday, when two performances will bo given.

, CITY HALL. In spito of tho heavy downpour of rain, there was a very large attendance at the Gaiety Company's performance at the Uit? Hall last evening. Tho interest of Mr. D« b patrons had evidently been arousedby the announcement that a novel first part wouk be staged, and that several now artists vcull make their debut, and, to judge by the rounds of applause which greeted every item in .he programme, a very favourable impression, indeed, was created. The new first part, A Day in Morocco," a gorgeous Oriental s-one, full of rich colour, is a triumph of scenic effect "The Slave Ballot" at tho opening is very prety indeed: Miss Ida Roslyn a charming Australian, appearing for the first time in " Making the Time Fly and other serio-comic gems, was enthusiastically received, and was accorded repeated encores for every items. The Warsaw Brothers also appeared for the first time in a musical hkotell, "The Travelling Showman," in which they played on several musical instruments, and concluded with a scene from " Faust. Lennon Hvman, and Lennon were very successful in their Chinese laundry act, and the others artistes-Johnny Collins, Walter Rivers, and Frank Yorke, and Misses Annetta Bodin and May Marlow-who appoared in new items, received encores in every na«o.

MIGHTY ATOM CLUB'S AT HOME."

An interesting students' "At Home in connection with the Mighty Atom Club was given by Miss Moor the president, yesterday afternoon, in the studio over Canning's, Queenstreet, and in spite of the very uninviting weather, there was a largo gathering ot guests. The members of tho club study literature together, under tho guidance of tho president, and this term they aro taking Buskin's "Sesame and Lilies." Tho studio was tastefully decorated for tho occasion, and round the walls were displayed specimens by Miss Moor's pupils in lino work. These- evidences of the young ladies industry and the success of Miss Moor as a teacher were inspected by the guests, and greatly admired. One set, illustrating Tennyson s poem, "Tho Talking Oak," was particularly good. Among a number of other drawings a sheet of initial letters, in which the artist had skilfully introduced Maori carvings, taiahas, etc., attracted much attention. This was the work of Miss Olive Tilly. Tho visitors were also interested in tho club quarterly publication, "The Mighty Atom, which has been in existence a year, and now has 41 subscribers. During tho afternoon refreshments wcro handed round.