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Reviews
Reynold's Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, 20 May, 1900.
The fame of the Savoy for cultured light opera is universal. Anyone who contrasts the vulgar work that proceeds in some other theatres under the guise of opera could not with any tolerable sense deny that at the Savoy he or she gets that kind of thing to which it is possible to bring both wife and daughter to see. These are days when the purity of the stage has become a more or less active public question and the Savoy in its whole history has been the place where "nice" people like to take their evening recreation.
To add to the delightful "Rose of Persia," a little piece by Basil Hood was produced last night. It is called "Pretty Polly," and deals with the exploits of a parrot in love-making. A good sort of fellow (Mr. Henry Lytton) wants to woo a wife (Miss Louie Pounds), and he uses, as he comes from foreign parts, the talking bird as a matrimonial agent. It so happens that, woman-like, the lady overhears the bird and adopts her strategy accordingly. But in the end the match comes off, and a pretty little dualogue ends with an audience exceedingly pleased. It is a perfect pleasure to see the "Rose of Persia" itself the leading feature of the Savoy programme, and people who are in town ought to take the advantage which Londoners enjoy.
The Pall Mall Gazette (London, England) Monday 21 May, 1900
"Pretty Polly," which preceded "The Rose of Persia" for the first time on Saturday night, is a little duologue by Mr. Basil Hood, which almost reconciles one to the curtain-raiser superfluity. If such things must be, this one is a model; only about ten minutes, and each one of them full of hearty laughter. Miss Louie Pounds is very charming in her part, and Mr. Henry Lytton acquits himself well in his; while a special word is due for the voice behind the scenes which talks for the live parrot on the stage.
The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post (Bristol, England), Monday, June 4, 1900, p.3.
Captain Basil Hood is much en [sic] evidence just now. He is an army officer who some years ago resigned his sword for the mightier weapon. Time is proving that his course was not unwise. Personally, Captain Hood is a modest, amiable man of a rather retiring disposition. Of medium height and build, his face is distinguished by good features, eyes that have a twinkle in them, and a rather heavy brown moustache.
At present he has two successful pieces running at the Savoy Theatre, “Pretty Polly,” a short piece without music, and “The Rose of Persia,” an opera for the book of which he is responsible. At the Prince of Wales theatre his one-act play “Ib and Little Christina,” has made an instantaneous and decided hit.
Page modified 7 August 2019