POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3311, 18 December 1897, Page 2

POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

For the last week the familiar faces of this popular combination have been seen about the city, and it is almost superfluous to inform theatre-goers that Mr Pollard and hia clever company will renew acquaintance with a local audience on Boxing Wight. Christmas pantomime is as seasonable as Christmas padding, and to most people it is quite as welcome. In the principal cities of the Old World the pantomime season comes round with unbroken regularity, hat we unfortunate colonials have had no good fairy princes like, the late Sit Augustus Harris to eater for us, so that our education in pantomime matters has been, so to speak, neglected. At last an enterprising theatrical manager, in the person of Mr Tom Pollard, has come to our rescue, and we are to have pantomime, and that of no mean order; no loss, in fast, than the sensation, of the last two yea-s, the Japanese spectacular extravaganza, “ l)]in-Piia.” Two years ago this magnificent spectacle was first produced at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, where it caused a perfaot/urore. It was the thirteenth annual pantomime production of Messrs Williamson and Mnagrove, and when it is known that it fairly excelled all previous efforts, then some idea as to the completeness of the production may be formed. The large cities of Australia were visited, and the success was simply wonderful. Then Mr Pollard, with his usual plucky enterprise, decided that if money would tempt Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, then New Zealanders should have au opportunity of witnessing this gorgeous speotac)o._ He succeeded, and on Monday week next it will bo presented at the Opera House in its entirety, exactly the same as in Melbourne. Every item appertaining to tho piece has been transported from the Princess Theatre. Tho box plan wilt be ope-ed at Holliday’s on Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock,