POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3330, 12 January 1898, Page 2

POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

BOCCACCIO.” , The well-known obtnio opera “ Boooaooio,” notable for its tuneful melodies and its characteristic picture of the peculiar life of the gay city of Florence in the fourteenth century, was produced last night at the Opera House with the completeness of detail tor whioh the Pollard Company has established a reputation. The mounting was in first-class style, the scenery from the brush of Mr E. L. Williams being as perfect as when the company played “ Boccaccio ” in Wellington last year. The first scene, representing a public square, showed the quaint Florentine dwellings, with a dnoal palace in the background overlooking a river, while in the second act the gardens of Lambertuooio and Lotteringhi over-looked a beautifully - painted forest, in which the perspective was artistic. For the third aet, the f<Ho in honour of the marriage of the Prince of Palermo, a great effect was secured by the lowering of the lights upon an idealised landscape, the illuminated lake and gardens being thus shown to advantage. The march in this act, one of the features of the opera, aroused great enthusiasm, and was twice encored. The evolutions were performed with remarkable skill, the march concluding with an effective tableau, in whioh the group of opera-bonflo soldiers presented their long spears after the manner of a corps presenting fixed bayonets when preparing to meet a charge of cavalry. Miss Maud Beatty, who looked a dashing Boooaooio in her plumed cap and cloak, was characteristically energetic, throwing all her life into the part, and making the meat of every opportunity. The clever duet in the first act between Boccaccio and Fiamotta (Mias Marion Mitchell), “ A Poor Blind Beggar,” was one of the beat numbers of the evening. Miss Beatty's solo in the third act “My Love for Thee,” was encored. Mias Mitohell was a graceful Fiametta, and acted coquettishly, but more than once sang ont of tune. Miss May Beatty’s Peronella was marked by the care and talent that invariably denote the work of this conscientious young actress, who has undoubtedly a future full of promise. The ridiculous love-making of the empty-beaded old woman was artistically pourtrayed, Mr Percy, as usual, made a great success' of the part of the drunken olivegrower, Lambertuooio, whilst as the equally drunken cooper Lotteringhi Mr H. Qaealy ably assisted him in providing the fan. Mr Percy’s exquisite fooling in the tree in the second aet caused great laughter. The well-known song of the cooper in this aet Mr Qaealy and the chorus of workmen made eo much cf that it was twics encored. Master Albert scored another success as Scalza, the barber. Mr A. (Stephens sang well as the Prince of Palermo, beside cutting an excellent figure in his sprightly uniform. Mies Nellie Wilson acted fairly well as Leonetto, and Miss Emily Metcalfe did likewise as Isabella, the wife of Lotteringhi. Miss Agnes Smith deserves mention for her singing, her fine rich voice being hoard to marked advantage in the song “ He is the Prince,” and the soona which follows, and which was encored. ’J he serenade of the three students in the second act took so well that it had to be repeated ; while the letter trio, sung by Misses Mitohell, May Beatty rnd Metcalfe, and the topical trio •* Onery, Two-ery, Three-ery,” by Misses Maud Beatty, Metcalfe and Wilson, were also e: cored. Boccaccio ” is to ha repeated to night. “ D.TIN-DJIN.” Mr Pollard is not a believer in matinees, but he has had so many requests from parents and country people that be has broken through his rule, and at 2 o’clock to-day the curtain will rise on what will be positively the last production in Wellington of this go'geous spectacle. The doors will be opened at half-past 1, and as a large numbet of seats have already been secured, there is certain to be a crowded house. As a treat for the little ones, this production ghonll not be missed. Children will be admitted to all parts of the theatre at half-price, and as the pantomime will be something for them to wonder at, parents should give them an opportunity of witnessing it.