On Thursday night (27th) the Pollard troupe gave Gilbert and Sullivan's Pinafore atte Lyceum Theatre toa well-filled house, and as this opera has not been played' Shanghai for many years it was heartily welcomed by the audience, The cast was a very good one, all the parts were acted with great spirit, and the songs were delivered exceedingly well,.and_were enthusiastically received by the audience. Master Alfred Gouldinig was extremely well fitted with the part of Sir Joseph Porter, his self-possession being admirable, Miss Annie Moore was thoroughly at home with a role of Captain Corcoran, and, Miss Elsie Norwood charmed everyone by her rendering of the part of Ralph Rackstraw, her singing being much appreciated.. Miss Ina Pollard is always'a favourite with the audience, and, as Little Buttercup thoroughly deserved all the applause that was bestowed upon her. 'The Josephine of Miss Connie Pollard was commendable, and the sisters, cousins'and aunts were ably led by Miss Jessie Ford as Hobo. 'The fun' of the piece "was kept going by Masters Willie Stewart and James Pollard as Dick Deadeye and Bill Bobstay, to which also Master Willie Chester ably contributed. Miss Lily Stewart. was deserved ly applauded for her singing, and Miss Vie Martin's hornpipe had to be repeated, thpepatily MEL ie ploben the Splints, During the interval between, the Acts Master Alfred Goulding appeared in coster's dress to sing I ain't a-going, to tell, which he did with immense success, bringing down the house.
The Lyceum Theatre was crowded with a_most enthusiastic audience on Saturday night to witness the rendering of, Plan-quetta's famous opera, Les Cloches de Cor. neville, given by., Pollard's Lilliputinn Opera Company, and to judge by the applause which greeted the youngsters at. every point in this most fascinating play they have added another piece to, dew already lengthy list of successes. The music was rendered in capital style for such young performers, the chorus being exceptionally good and the great part of the miser Gaspard, played by Master Alf. Goulding, stood out as.an effort which can be judged as little short of the work of a geititis, so cleverly did this youthful actor simulate the aged niggard. Miss Elsie Norwood os Benn, the Marquis de Corneville, looked the aristocrat to the life and sang her part charmingly, whilst Miss Annie Moore as the vivacious Serpolette at, once established herself as a prime favourite with her audience by her clever Performance of a trying part. Mix Vie fortin as Christophe was distinctly good, and Master Willie Stewart as Gobo gave his audience a most pleasant surprise in his snusing playing of the part and gained a well deserved encore for an eceyntrie dance which showed that he did not lack training in this essential branch of operatic low comedy. Miss Jessie Ford must not be forgotten for her excellent singing, her rendering of the well known "Ding dong Bells" being so excellent as to cause the demand for two encores.. Miss Connie Pollard as Jean Grenecheux was not so well suited as in other pieces, but evidently did her best with an unsuitable part.' The rest of the characters were well filled and the whole piece went niost merrily.
Another very distinct, success was scored by the Lilliputian Opera Company in the production on Tuesday, and its repetition on Wednesday, of The Pirates of Pencanee. It is all very well to speak lightly of juvenile precocity, and the rapidity with which child-Ten can be taught, but it was nevertheless
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.