THE POLLARDS

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 236, 21 March 1885, Page 12

THE POLLARDS

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of last week this troupe put on what we consider is a long way the best they have showed us tip to this time (Wednesday) ; we mean " Les Cloches de Corneville." On the first evening Miss Maud Pollard essayed the part of the Marquis, Miss Kuth Wallace being ill, and a very sick essay it was. Miss Wallace came on us like water in a parched desert when she took up the part next evening. Miss de Lorme had to sing the Marquis' recitative, air, and chorus, "Nay ! no phantoms they," the first night, and in spite of the fact that the lovely Florence sang it beautifully, it looked absurdly "off" for the fisherman Grenicheux to be singing about his ancestoal halls and mailed progenitors. In her own nice part of Jean Grenicheux, Miss Florence de Lorme was simply charming, and sang and acted very nicely, while her appearance in the part was natural. Her best rnorceaux were the opening barcarole, " On Billow Hocking," and in the duo, "It was but an Impulse," with Germaine, while her rendering of the song above mentioned was simply enchanting. Miss May Pollard, as Serpolette, was suited. down to the ground. She is the yery best Serpolette we have ever seen in Auckland. Her abandon of manner and careless grace is inimitable, and she sang very fairly. The Gobo of Miss Lizzie Donnelly was a perfect conception. Her byeplay was irresistibly funny, and she caused roars of laughter with every movement of her face and body. Her get up was a miracle of

impossibility. Miss Bella Stewart was lovely * as Gernaaine, and showed that she has a very nice soprano voice, while her acting was unstrained. Miss Amy Brookes, as the Bailee, was intensely funny, and .spoke her line* clearly, and with judgment of emphasis,, which does so young an artist great creditMarion JSTornian, as Christopher, was as droll as a wicked eye, a saucy nez retrousse. and an impudent mouth of considerable sizej added to an instantaneous grasp of the fun. of a situation and the ability to express and enjoy a joke, could make her, while she waswell backed up in by-play by wee Lucy > Gobb. The whole lot seemed to enjoy the J play themselves, and that goes a long way towards, making- their audience do so likewise. "Pinafore" came on on Monday night, and was repeated on Tuesday, both times to splendid houses. To say that it wps a success would be to tell a decided parliamentary candidate's asseveration* In the Boatswain (Lizzie Donnelly), Dick Deadeye (Amy Brooks), and Buttercup. (Marion Norman) the company have artists that can't possibly be beaten by old or younoplayers in the colonies. The Captain Corcoran of Miss liuth Wallace was an even, performance, but nothing out of the common, while the Sir Joseph Porter of Miss Maud' Pollard was— well, the less said about it the' soonest mended, though she deserves a good word for her excellent enunciation. The Italnh Eackstraw of Miss Flo :le Lorme was a very nice performance, and she was soon, thoroughly en rapport with her audience. As Josephine we can't say we loved Miss May Pollard. We love May for herself ; loveher madly, and with an all absorbing passion . that is fast breaking down even our love for Whitson's beer and Juno tobacco, but still we can't say we lo\ ed Josephine. She talked through her nose in a very objectionable way, and seemed to miss her "wardrobe," of which she made such excellent use in Serpolette. The dancing of the Misses McKay (gosh ! what a stage name) was very good, as was also Liz. Donnelly's. The choruses were execrable without exception, and the children bolted away ahead • of the orchestra every try. One thing we would ask Captain Corcoran is, why in. nature he talks about " a nunibul captain'sdaughter." We have always seen it written " a humble," &c, and the other way is most odious to the ear. Offenbach's sparklingopera, "The Princess of Trebizonde," was produced on Wednesday, and repeated last night. The fun of the piece was well sustained by Miss Amy Brooks, as the clown of the strolling company, who was well supported by Miss Maud Pollard and the ~ other principal members of the troupe . J Miss May Pollard, as the Prince, sang " As^ E'er it Blooms," with taste and feeling, whilst the chorus, "Farewell, Old Booth, our liome Paternal," was very well sung. The orchestral accompaniments were quite free from the tendency to drown the solo voices, we noticed on a former occasion, and the march of the pages was <a marked feature in act 3. By generally-expressed desire, "Pinafore " will be repeated on Saturday evening.