HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1025, 28 October 1909, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

POLLARD’S OPERA COMPANY. The Pollard Opera Company, after a very successful tour of the South, opened their Auckland season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday evening last, with Lecocq’s tuneful opera “ Manola,” which received an excellent interpretation at the hands of the company. Bright and sparkling in music and dialogue from beginning to end, the company interpret it with a vivacity and naturalness that have become part and parcel of Mr. Pollard’s combination. The scene is laid in Portugal, in the seventeenth century, and lends itself to elaborate and picturesque costuming. The melodies are tuneful and catchy, the spectacular effects striking and original, and so much broad humour is spread over it that it appeals irresistibly to the crowd. Miss Minnie Topping, in the title role, captivates her audience as much as she does the two Princes of the opera, and in her vocal numbers she scores a very pleasing success. Miss Madeline Knight, an Auckland girl, who is now making her first appearances in her native city with the PollardSj took the part of Beatrix, using her fine voice to splendid effect, though hardly so successful in her acting, which is somewhat stiff. She could well infuse more life into the part she plays- Miss Cissie O’Keefe, in the role of Miguel, equerry to Don Bazaro, portrays her part admirably. She possesses a deep resonant contralto voice, and her singing is one of the features of the piece. She is heard to exceptional advantage in the trio, “ The Little God of Love,” and in her solo parts. Mr. Charles Albert as Don Calabazar, wins golden' opinions by his clever comedy. His ftmniosities keep things moving from start .to finish. The dovecot episode is ludicrous in the extreme, and his love-making interludes, which are most comfortably accommodating, evoke roars of laughter, his conception of the character being remarkably good. Mr. Jock Willis, as Pablo, his servant, is capitally cast. Mr. B. Williamson makes an attractive Don Bazaro, but might,, with advantage, infuse more fire and spirit into the part. Miss May Topping proves an attractive maid to Manola, Mr. Geo. Edwards (Stephano) evokes much mirth. The minor roles are well placed. A particularly effective feature of the performance is the march of the pages, carried out with grace and precision by twenty girls in handsome royal blue and gold uniforms, their skilful evolutions calling forth tremendous applause and a double encore. Three little mites, Alma and Ivy Aldous, and Trixie Ireland, give a clever step dance, and have to be recalled. The staging, under the direction of Mr. Charles Albert, is all that can be desired, and Mr. A. Brahms as musical director is largely responsible for the success of the production. “ Manola” gave place last evening to that merry comedy, “ The Isle of Bong Bong,” in which Master Bert Nicholson scores such a big success. “ Bong Bong” will be played again this evening, “ Rip Van Winkle” on Friday, and on Saturday Audran’s masterpiece, “ Olivette,” will be staged for the first time by the company. Playgoers who remember the excellent performances of Audran’s melodious comic opera “ Olivette” given by the old Pollard company, will be pleased to learn that the present company are now producing it. It will be staged on an unusual scale of magnificence and completeness, excelling 'anything Mr. Pollard has yet given us. For months past an army of sempstresses have been at work, while the mechanist has used thousands of feet of timber. A feature of the production is that everything used from beginning to end has been made in the , Dominion. -