LATE MR TOM POLLARD

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15035, 5 September 1922, Page 7

LATE MR TOM POLLARD

i A NOTED PRODUCER. No producer in Australasia did more for the development of theatrical talent than Tom Pollard, who died at Christchurch recently. He retained his enthusiasm for his work to the end, and after his retirement from the direction of professional companies, he took an active part In amateur operatic societies. Sixty-four years ago Mr Pollard was born in Launceston, Tasmania, his father being Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan. At 17 years of age he was the leader of an amateur orchestra' trained by Mr James Pollard, .the father of the lady Mr> Tom Pollard subsequently married, and whose surname he afterwards adopted. In 1881, Mr James Pollard organised his®..first Liliputian Opera Company, which commenced, with a performance of "Pinafore,'•' in Launceston. It was decided to take the .company for a three months' tour, and ~the tour opened in Invercargill. Mr Tom Pollard was a member of the orchestra. Two weeks after arrival in New Zealand, Mr Pollard took over the duties of stage manager, and this marked his permanent severance from orchestral work.

After Mr James Pollard's death, Mr Tom Pollard and his brother-in-law, Charles Pollard, took over the company. It was at this time that Mr Tom Pollard changed his name from O'Sullivan to Pollard. The Partnership did nor last, long. Mr Charles Pollard went out of business for some time, and Mr Tom Pollard returned to Launceston, where he took over the control of a theatre. In 1889 he acted as producer for the Simonsen Opera Company, which toured in New Zealand. Mr' Pollard then played the"role of the Bos'uu in "Pinafore," the cast including Mr Wm. Densem, of Christcliurch. Mr Pollard was also associated with the Josephine Wangenheim Dramatic Company. In 1890 he formed the 1 Pollard Liliputian Opera Company, which developed into the combination ' which produced such well-known artists as the late Alf. Stevens (whom Mr Pollard considered the most talented performer who was ever with the company), W. S. Percy, Maud and May Beatty, Charles Carter, D B. O'Connor, Marion Mitchell, Nellie Wilson, Edward Noble, John Ralston, Harry . Quealey, Gertie Campion, arffl many others. Mr John Farrell, now a manager with J. C. WlHamson, Ltd., was a member of the company. For many years the company toured through Australia and New Zealand, until tiie name of Pollard was a household word.

Works which the company presented 'included: —"An Adamless Eden,' "Aladdin," Boccacio," "The Bohemian Girl," "Djin Djin' (by Bert Royle),' "Erminie," "Falka," "Fatinilza," "Girofle, Girofla," "In Town," "Los Cloches de Corneville," "La Mascotte." "Nell Gwynne," "Olivette," "Paul Jones," "Prince Bulbo" (by Towle, the then conductor of the company), "Rip Van Winkle,'" "The Black Cloaks," "The Merry War," "La Pei'ichole," "Maritana," the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, "The Little Duke," "The Princess of Trebizonde," "La Fille du Tambour Major," "La Poupee," "The Belle of New York," "Saucy Susie" (by Bert Royle), "The Casino Girl," "The Geisha," "Floradera," "The Toreador," "The Rose of Persia," "Tapu" (by Alfred Hill), "The Gay Parisian," "The French Maid," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "The iMessenger Boy." When in Palmerston Norlh, the company suffered the loss of a great deal of its wardrobe through fire, and some years later, while in South Africa, another Are destroyed practically all Hs scenery and wardrobe. In 1905, the company was disbanded. Mr Pollard went to Christchurch and established his home there. When the International Exhibition was held in Christchurch he acted as Director of Entertainments. In 1907, he organised the new Pollard Juvenile Company, and it opened tin Christchurch with "Bluebell in Fairyland." This had been a failure in Australia. But under Mr Pollard it established a record in popularity. Twenty-eight night performances and eight matinees were given in Christchurch within three months. This company also produced "The Isle of Bhong Bong," "His Highness Ihe Bey," "The Gay Hussars," "Manola," "Bip Van Winkle.' "Miss Hook of Holland," and many others. Subsequently, Mr Pollard disbanded the company and be entered the moving picture business on Hie West' Coast. He established a chain of theatres on Hie Coast, with headquarters in Greymouth. He held these to his death, although his permanent home was in Christchurch. When he abandoned the. direction of professional companies he was engaged by many amateur operatic societies to act as producer.

The deceased was noted for his generosity and he was always to the fore with patriotic gifts. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Alice, who is now married in England, a .son. John, who is associate-editor of the Southland Times, and Thomas, who is on the staff of the Canterbury College School of Engineering.