Pollard's Opera Company.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9029, 29 March 1898, Page 2

Pollard's Opera Company.

" IN TOWN."

The Academy of Music was packed last night with a large and enthusiastic audience, eager to give a hearty welcome to the deservedly popular Pollards, who have always succeeded in giving pleasure to Thames theatregoers whenever they have performed here. The company is a very strong one, and as timo goes on Mr Pollard

wiuD to me excellent combination ha controls, by impressing into his service the most talented novitiates of Thespis and Terpsichore as opportunity may offer. The members of the company act together with such commendable precision that it is evident they all take a deep interest in the work they have to do, and spare no effort to achieve success. The piece selected for the opening night of the season was "In Town," a description of which appeared in a recent issue, thus obviating the necessity of further explanation. Suffice it to say that Mr Pollard's selection was a most happy inspiration, for if ever there was a piece calculated to keep an audience in high good humor, "In Town " is the one most likely to succeed. Mr W. 8. Percy, to whom was entrusted the task of impersonating that gay young spark Captain Goddington, discharged his duties with undoubted success. His acting and singing were of a very high order of merit, and his arrival on the boards was invariably greeted with loud salvos of applause. Mr Alf. Stephens made an admirable Duke of Muffshxre, his make-up ■ being excellent, and he imported the necessary dignity into the part. Miss Maud Beatty, as Lord Olanside (the Duke's son and heir), acted the part to the life, and there was no occasion to be surprised at the ease with which the girls of the Ambiguity Theatre were mashed, for few young ladiee would be able to withstand Clanside's advances, if he were even half as charming a3 Miss Beatty. Mr Harry Quealey must be heartily congratulated upon his impersonation of the Rev. Samuel Hopkins (the Duke's chaplain.) It was one of his best efforts, and his acting elicited frequent demonstrations of approval from the audience. The minor characters oi Hoffman, Benoll, Shrimp, and Bloggins were in the capable hands oi Messrs Young, Nable, Albert, and Albert Stephens respectively. Miss Emily Metcalfe played the Duchess oi Muffshire with decided success. Mise i Lily Stephens appeared to advantage as Lady Gwendoline Kincaddie (her daughter), while Miss May Beatty made a most pleasing Marie Belleville Miss Marion Mitchell sang splendidly and fully warranted her engagement as "prima donna" at the Ambiguitj Theatre. The other characters—Flc Fanshaw, Maud Moritressor, and th< five girls from the Ambiguity—wer< well impersonated by the Misses Karkeek, Marie Metcalfe, Zeigler, Wilson Palmer, Hewson, and Forde. In the first, act, Mr Alf. Stephens song "The House of Lords" wai loudly encored. The duet betweei the Duchess and Lady Gwendoline ' " If you really wish to mairy, And 1 do, dear mamma," was well sung by Misses E. Metcalf and L. Stevens, ihe lines " It's not too fast and not too slow ' and " It's not too hot and not too cold" were sung with most appropriate ac tion, and deservedly brought down th house. Captain Coddington (with to accent on the " cod ") made a good hi with his song "I am a terrible swell,' while the trio sung by the Captain Clanside, and " Hoppy " was one of th< most laughable vocal efforts of th evening:— "It is beatjto taradiddle, you can always salve the riddle, With a little taradiddle-diddle-dee." The duet by Miss Mitchell and thi Captain was equally pleasing. Julie on the balcony listening to her Borneo' amorous serenade, in response to i request for a kiss :— "In practice it a rather too strong, mi dear, Bat still I can blow it," which she does, much to Borneo's de light. The Captain in his roleo Chaplain introduces the Ambiguity girls to the Duchess, as pupils of i seminary where large doses of religioi are relieved to some extent by sucl remarkable diversions as " Cubic root, beet root, and arrow root,'* The final< to the first Act was a most laughable one, and as the curtain fell, the audi ence expressed their approval in thi most enthusiastic manner. In Act 11. we were introduced tc the Green-room of the Ambiguity Theatre, where Master C. Albert (the Call Boy) let us into tho secret of the highly important and indispensable nature of his office to the theatrical profession:— " Although I am but a small boy, I am a good actor too, So keep your eye on the oall boy And he will poll you through." Master Albert sang with good judg ment, and added to the effect by giving a capital step dance. One of the most amusing episodes was Shrimp's declaration of undying affection for the prima donna, who laughed at his calf love, and, in answer to his query, "Will you be Mrs Shrimp?" satirically asked him if he had not better wait until he became a " prawn." Miss May Beatty (as Marie Belleville) sang "Oui, Oui, Oui" in a most pleasing manner, and was loudly enoored. " Hoppy " sang " The Tin Gee gee " in capital style, and was recalled. Miss Karkeek danced apae seid with undoubted success, and the Misses Wilson, Forde, and Karkeek exhibited remarkable Terpsichorean ability in their pleasing pas de troii, Ihe duet by the Duke and Clanside was also well rendered. - The performance from start to finish w&s, highly amusing, and we have 10 hesitation, in predicting for the company a highly successful season. This evening "In Town " will again >c played, while " Bocaccio " is to be >roduced to-morrow night