The Pollard Opera Company

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8619, 25 March 1897, Page 3

The Pollard Opera Company

"Paul Jpnes " is one of the best staged operas in tlie Pollard Company's repertoire. The excellence of this production is due nut a little to the grand acting and fine singing; of Mist Maud Beatty,-who in the title-iole is undoubtedly the central figure of the whole performance. The opera is, however, by no means a one-character work. Among the female parts, " Yvonne,"* " Chopinettee," and " Malaguena " are alt impersonations which afford plenty of scope for capable acting, and the same remark applies to the male roles of "Bouillabaisse," the irrepressible "Insect." "Eufino." "Bicoquet," and last—but by no means least—'' Don Trocadero." Last night these characters were all ably impersonated, and the efforts of tho central figure were ably supported. To commence with the heroine, Miss Marion Mitchell made a typical "Yvonne." Her initial solo in the first act was deservedly encored, and the most conspicuous of her remaining numbers were "A Little Bird on Weary Wing," " How Shall I Greet my Tiue Love," and "Before the Altar" —in all of which her voice— despite a troublesome cold—rang with its usual melody. Miss Maud Beatty, we understand, looks upon "Paul Jones" as her best part, and most critics will agree with her. Her solou—especially "Lee Shore"— were faultlessly rendered. Miss May Beatty was full cf life as " Chopinette," rendering "Just look at my sabots " most charmingly, whilo Miss Emily Metcalf as " Rufino" (the naval pupil at St p Malo) sanjj well, but was not so successful in her acting. Miss Nellie Wilson, w!iq on previous visits of the company was accorded praise for her impersonation of " Mplaguena," sustained her reputation, and her fine stage presence, earned tor her not a little admiration. The male parts were taken, as follows: —Bouillabaisse (Mr Alt'. Stephens), "Pierre," (his apprentice) Mr C. Albert; Don Trocadertv (Mr W. Percy); •' Bidoquet," (Mr E. Nable) ; «KitKfi3treir*(Mr G Young). To give them all just praise we can safely say that not a little of the "go " of the opera was due to them Messrs Stevens and Albert were •xcecdingly good in the com?dy, and in the duet "For I'm a Mariner Bold/ received a triple encore, <•• Asptcial word of praise is due to Mr W. Percy for his impersonation Of ". that eccentric character with rudimentary wings " —" Don Trocadero." His facial expressions were very good, while the grotesque solo which falls to hi 3 lot was ably rendered, A feature of the performance was the graceful dancing with the limelight effect*, and altogether the evening was declared h'y. many to have been raors >enjoy&bk than any of the three preiipj*^ To-night "Le Manteaux Noirs " (The Black Cloaks) wijl be produced.