POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue VIII, 22 February 1896, Page 205

POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY.

IT is a long time —a very long time —since 1 have seen a better performance of a comic opera than that of * Paul Jones,’ with which Pollard’s Opera Company opened their New Zealand season in Auck land. It is not only fifty per cent, better than anything the Pollard’s have produced during the last five years or so, but it is without any question a better all-round performance than that given by the ‘ firm’s ’ Opera Company last year. With the single exception of Marion Burton, I have never heard the music of Paul Jones’s own part so well and effectively sung as by Miss Maud Beatty, and in acting Miss Beatty excelled Madame Burton in every emergency and in every scene. She threw herself into the part with an earnestness and thoroughness which did one good to see in these days of spoiled favourites. If anything, indeed, Miss Beatty takes the part somewhat too seriously. Her acting is admirable and most conscientious, but it would be none the worse for an infusion of the devil-may-care, bucaneering, and debonair air which one associates with the name of the famous Paul. So greatlydid theimprovement Miss Beatty hasalready made impress me, and so delighted am I with the careful and thorough manner in which she goes to work, that I hesitated before setting down the above suggestion for improvement. It is no wish to pick a fault in an admirable performance on her part, but a hearty desire to see her achieve that perfect success which must surely be hers if she works and improves in the future as she has done in the past. Miss Sandford, who first made a hit in ‘ The Rose and the Ring ’ about a year or eighteen months ago, shows wonderful improvement, and thoroughly fulfils the promise then held out. Her Chopinette was a fine performance. The Rufino of the cast Miss Emily Metcalfe, is likewise a distinct success.

It is a little surprising that the one disappointment of the cast should be Miss Marion Mitchell. And this is also irritating, for it is abundantly evident that Miss Mitchell’s powers, both in voice and of acting, are as good as ever when she takes the trouble to use them. Miss Mitchell’s voice is what it has always been, one of unusual brilliance, and she can when she chooses act with a dash and spirit quite irresistible. But on the evening I witnessed * Paul Jones ’ Miss Mitchell did not choose. Her ideas were centred less upon the play than upon Miss Mitchell. Now, a reputation is a very good thing, and Miss Mitchell has earned a big reputation in New Zealand, but though it is hard to kill a reputation, the thing can be done. It seemed to me that perhaps the lady did not like playing second fiddle, which unquestionably Yvonne had to do to Paul Jones, but it is surely better to play second fiddle well than by sheer carelessness and affectation to play fifth or sixth, comingin after the ruck of secondary characters. If Miss Mitchell likes she can play Yvonne as well as that character has ever been played here, and she will do extremely well to * like,’ and the sooner the better. For the rest, the performance was a most excellent one in deed, and the production reflects the very highest credit on Mr Tom Pollard. That gentleman is a genius where stage ‘ business ’is concerned. His hand is very clearly seen throughout, and always to his credit. * Girofle-Girofla ’ has also been played very successfully.