POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 47

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

" BOCCACCIO." Yon Suppe's celebrated opera " Boccaccio " is so frequently produced that to some it has perhaps become hackneyed. To the majority of playgoers, however, repetition can never divest the delightful music of its freshness and charm, while the diverting and original situations and dialogue nevei lose their point. On Friday a large audience assembled at the Princess Theatre to witness a performance of the opera by the Pollard's Opera Company. The company has established a reputation for the completeness and effectiveness of its productions, and that reputation will lose nothing by last evening's performance. The piece was staged and enacted throughout in a style that evoked unequivocal encomiums from all present.

Seme strikingly pretty effects were introduced with the aid of the electric light, and this was more particularly the case as regards the palace scene in the last act. The performance served to introduce a member of the company new to Dunedin — namely, Miss Daisy Davis, to whom was allotted the part of Fiametta. Miss Davis's acting and singing was favourably received in the northern cities where the opera was played, and confident predictions as to her future career in her new profession have freely been indulged in. The young lady possesses a light soprano voice of serviceable range, and uses it to fair advantage. She has a good stage presence, and with persevering and careful study, there is no reason why the promise she gives of future success should not be fulfilled. Her impersonation of Lambertnccio's adopted daughter was a pleasing and skilful one, and her singing was received with favourable demonstrations. Miss Agnes Smith as Beatrice (Scalza's daughter) also acquitted herself with a great deal of credit, her rendering of " He is the Prince " being decidedly praiseworthy. Miss May Beatty as the ancient sharp-featured dame — a Florentine Mrs Grundy, albeit of an amorous disposition, — scored a distinct success, and to her efforts was due in no little measure the success of the piece. Miss Metcalfe as Lolleringhi's wife also acted with no little skill. Miss Maud Beatty, as usual, made a fascinating Boccaccio, and came in for a large share of applause. Messrs Percy, Quealy, Stephens, and Albert kept the audietice in a merry mood through their drolleries. Miss Nellie Wilson was seen advantageously in the part of Leonetto, while the remaining members of the company acted their parts with skill. " Boccaccio " will be repeated to-night. On Monday " Paul Jones " will be the attraction, and on Tuesday we are promised another favouritp in the merry musical comedy "In Town." On Wednesday the long-expected and much-advertised young lady, " The Belle of New York," will make her first appearance on a New Zealand stage. This celebrated musical comedy Is still the reigning London success. It has been drawing crowded houses to the Shaftesbury Theatre for two years, and has fairly captured the hard-to-please amusement lovers of the world's metropolis. " The Belle of New York" is a two-act musical comedy, the book being by Hugh Morton, and the music by Gustave Kerker. It is produced for laughing purposes only, with, it is alleged, more laugh to the square incE than any other modern production. It will be staged here on Wednesday night, with all the original London costumes, scenery, and effects. Mr Albert Whelnn will be seen in his marvellous representation of the elder Bronson, for which he received such lavish praise from the Australian critics. The charming dances and ballets incidental to the piece will be danced by 16 of the Williamson and Musgvove ballerinas.