THE POLLARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 938, 27 February 1908, Page 16

THE POLLARDS.

The first Pol’ard Company was formed in Tasmania in 1879 by Mr J. Pollard, sen. It was a purely juyeni’e organisation, composed of the Po’.lard Fami'y. There were from 35 t 0... 40 in that company. Herbert Salinger was the boy comedian in those days, and they were playing “ Cloches de Corneville ” and “ Pinafore.” They performed in New Zea’and during 1881 and part of 1882, after which went to Australia. They returned to New Zea and at the end of 1883 an d p ayed to the end of 1884, when they disbanded. Another company was formed in iSqi. It was then that the Beattys. Mar’on Mitche 1 ! W. ■s. Percy, Lily Steph ns, Alf. Stevens, Harry Quealy, Charlie Cart-r. C’ssie Samuels. Char’ie Albert. Dave O’Connor, Ernie Fitz, W. Paul, F’orence and Peatr'ce Perrv. Co-nie Bu tel, Jennie Opie, A’’ce Ed"ar Lulu Evans, etc., etc., came along. Ther? was a repertoire cf some 40 mu i'-a’ comedies, in,c uding such a variety as “Maritara,” Uncle- Tom’s Cabin,” “La Poupee,” and “ Th? Bel’e of New York,” the latter be'ng regarded as the best performance in New Zealand' wherever it went. A: this stage marriage began to make its inroads, and one by on 3 the several princ’.pa s dropped out. .The only member of the o d company with the new Juveni’es is Charlie Albert, now stage manager, •md we 1-known of old as The Insect in Paul Jones ” and Mr Harry Quealy, remembered as Major Forsdyi-e in “ Gay Parisienne.” The new organisation was formed in Christchurch in June, 1907.