Pollard’s Opera Company.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7267, 20 July 1893, Page 2

Pollard’s Opera Company.

“THE GONDOLIERS.”

Evidently they were waiting for the (to them) new opera, for last night the Timaru public mustered in force to witness the Pollard company’s presentation of “ The Gondoliersthe drees circle was full and the lower house crowded. Everyone seemed to be delighted with the performance, and the honours of applause and encores wore seldom if ever more freely bestowed in the theatre. It would b« useless to describe the plot of “ The Gondoliers,” Gilbert and Sullivan do not require much plot on which to string their amusing dialogues and sparkling musio, though there is more connected story beneath the glow and glitter of “ The Gondoliers ” than in most of their pieces. The music is in Sullivan's gayest vein, and the libretto is full of humour aod good natured nonsense. As to the mounting and performance, even author and composer could not have found fault with them, and we beard them favourably compared with the production of the same opera in London., The dresses were very pretty, eni a liberal use was made of strong lights eo that the most was made of them. Among the chief successes of the evening were some dances by the whole company, in which brilliant kaleidoscopic efforts were produced. The principal dance was doubly encored. So pretty a thing had never, we feel sure, been seen on the stage in Timaru before. The chorus have a great deal to do, and they have been admirably trained, not a mistake being made in a large number of complicated movements. The applause burst out with the opening chorus, and to the end performers and audience were on the pleasantest terms. We did not keep account of the most telling numbers; several comic “ patter songs," duets, and quartettes were redemanded, and Miss Mitchell received an ovation for one of her numbers, “ A Pair of Sparkling Byes,” in the second act, which calls for high powers of vocalisation, and was sung with perfect ease. Master Stephens created roars of laughter with bis comicalities as the Duke, and Master Quealy as the Grand Inquisitor was also well greeted. This character reminds one of the Private Secretary, and many suggestions of old acquaintances are cleverly worked into The Gondoliers. The performance was from first to last most enjoyable, and there is sure to be another full bouse for its repetition this evening.