POLLARDS OPERA COMPANY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12337, 6 October 1909, Page 5

POLLARDS OPERA COMPANY.

This popular company commenced its season at the Opera House last night with the production of Lecocq's pretty comic opera "Manola." There wac a good house, but the weather no doubt kept a good, many away. "Manola'' is of the conventional comic •opera, type, possessing the orthodox ■comic prince, the comic servant, the haughty Don, the lovers, the innkeeper, the dancing girls and last, but not least, the. chorus of happy looking, wine-drinking peasants and lusty sol- ! diers in fanciful uniforms. The music I n_s is expected of Leoocq, is bright and clitchy, the dialogue clover and witty, and the plot consistent. It would be a somewhat rash .statement to say that this production is the best Mr Pollard has presented to us, but it is certainly safe to say that it is as good as the best. The whole prcduction—music, dressing, mounting, and everything cisc—was consistently good. The cast was in most capable hands. Mr Chas. Albert, as Prince Calabazar, was of course the central figure of the piece and he has certainly added "considerably to lua reputation by his very clever ! impersonation of the amorous old prince. His acting last night was re-

•jinueent of Percy at his best in similar characters, with the old Pollards, and ]iis'by-play and dancing;-was excellent. His comic numbers—"Woman" and the ''Union Song"—were each re-demandedl by the audience in no uncer,tiin manner. Miss Cissy O'Keefe, rs "Miguel," had a vei'y heavy part to sustain and acquitted herself most honourably. Her impersonation was consistent throughoat and certainly seems to have improved in her acting since her last visit. Her fine contralto voice was heard to advantage in her solo, "The Aegean San,'" and associated with Miss Minnie Topping in the duet, "Let us live," and wiih Misses Topping and Knight in "Little God of Love," this item being the gem of the evening. Mi^s Minnie Tooping surtainrd her reputation as a clever little actress, and • lid much for the success of the p:'cco by her clever impersonation of the r-ame pirt. The son-rj "Gentle Phoe->e" wars her bost solo effort, whilst her voice wais heard to advantage- in the duet with Miguel, "Little God of Love." Miss M. Knight, one of the latest acquisitions to the company, as Beatrix, had not a very large part, but she acquitted herself well for a beginner. Her voice is of fine quality and had, much to do with the success of the numbers in which she was concerned. Miss May Topping, as "Tessa, '■ made the most of a small part, and the sf.in.9 Applies to Miss Ida Lacy, as "Taneheta," and Miss Edith Ireland, as "Rosina." Mr J<xk Willis as "Pablo," was the cause of much laughter, and Mi* Goo. Edwards, as "Stephano," a somewhat automatic soldier, was very gocd. Mr Bert Williamson as "'Don Bazaro," gave a somewhat indifferent rendering of the pirt, with which he war; obviously •overweighted. The '''Drinking Song by Mr M. Rayner, in tiie last act, was a pretty number and well deserved the hearty encore it received, whilst the- trio, "Castle in Spain," by little Trixi>> Ireland and Ivy and Alma Aldous, was one of the n.ost popular number in the produc-' tinn. The military evolutions in th*? second act by 20 of the chorus made the most interesting item in the whole performance. For fully ten minutes they performed intricate evolution's without -a. mistake and with scarcely fi repetition, and this speaks volumes for Mr Pollard's skill in this direction. The scenery was splendid throughout, notably the first act, when, aided by a very realistic moon and cleverly manipulated limelight the lantern chorus made the stage a kind of fairy scene. The piece dors not allow cf much elaborate dressing, but where sue!; is possible, it was well carried out, anl the uniforms oP the soldiers were certainly rich enough to satisfy the moat exacting. The orchestra, which is not the least important item in such a^production, was superlatively gcod and added greatly to the general success of the piece. Tonight "Manola" will be repeated, and •should draw another good house.