Pollard’s Opera Company.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7268, 22 July 1893, Page 2

Pollard’s Opera Company.

Lecooq’s comic military opera “ The Little Duke ” has been highly spoken of, and it was i practically a novelty here, yet it did not “ draw " last night as was expected. It is a bright and tuneful piece, well suited for a juvenile company, and its presentation was very creditable and enjoyable, though Titnaru's verdict would doubtless be, by a good majority, not that it is better than the Gondoliers. Nothing hits the popular taste here like Gilbert and Sullivan’s lively compositions. The Little Duke is in throe act?, entirely different in character. The first is laid in a ducal palace, where a foundation of love making and marriage is laid, with the intervention of a marplot. Here Mies Mitchell and Miss L. (Stephens were principals, and j earned an encore for a pretty duet, *• It is not hard to say—l Love Ihee.” Master Alf. Stepbens,the clever lowcomedianof the company, ' could make but little of his role of marplot. I The second act was laid as at a girls’ school, I and here Mias Bussell shone as the mistress, a lady of military instincts, and opposing a soldier’s demand sang nicely in “ - Do you menace me P ” Her class also sang some snatches prettily. Harry Quealy made up and acted horribly as a dunce, and Master Stephens raised and brought out a fahtaffian ragged army as bad as any corps described in Colonel Fox’s report. The third act was in a forest camp scene very well arranged. It opened with a song and chorus " The brave old guard are marching on,” the solo of which was splendidly sung by Miss Neliie Wilson. It suited her voice, she gave it a true martial ring, and was deservedly encored for it. A feature of the act was some drill movements by soldiery, very neatly done, and warmly applauded and encored. “ THE PIEATSS OF PENZANCE ’’ TO-NIGHT. To night the beautifully musical " Pirates of Penzance” will be produced. 'Jbo “ pirates ” have not, through a professional company, greeted their king, the policemen have not sung “ Tarantara," nor the majorgeneral enumerated his accomplishments, on the stage in Timaru, since Dunning and Carey first brought The Pirates to the colonies many years ago, and with the cast that can be given it by this company it ought to be a first rate performance. Miss Mitchell’s song as Mabel, (( Poor Wandering One,” alone ought to be worth going to hear. Master Harry Quealy will be the Police Sergeant, and this is a character which he is said by the northern press to score heavily io. As the parts he has had during the season have not afforded him much scope for bis undoubted ability, he will likely make the most of his chance to-night. A minature “ bobby ”is also said to create great fun. A beautiful picture of “ Brittania rising from the waters ” will be given at the conclusion of the last act.