AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 35, 9 February 1906, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

.—, — - , "A ROYAL DIVORCE. 7, ! "A Royal Divorce" has elements of >opularity in it tbat almost always aake for its instant success. Its charcters are largely types: its situations, trong and heady, are developed apart rom considerations of the sometimes amer fa-cts, and perhaps not least the udience, true to it? blood, like? that 'ieture of the man of destiny coming ike a whipped schoolboy to the "Britsh bull dogs" to confers his sins. It a the melodramatic view of things, of ourse.- and the species is furtjier eraihasized by the introduction of deliber.tely comic passages, such as those of he innkeeper Grimand in the la«t act. "Tevertheless "A Royal Divorce" is intnitely superior to the average of the ;i ?-iSBp, w hich it belongs; and if such -Josephine's surrender of the nrown, ijhe impossible happenings in the tardea of the Tuileries, and the virtuous idmissions of Xnpolr.on in Act V. are • 0 strong to stomach, at least there is » residue of reasonable enough action, ipart from the consideration that the pectacular has a fascination whether t can be stomached or not. As Napolton. Mr Julius Knight is as good as of -ore. Looking the part for a beginling, his acting is consistently good ilike in the scenes demonstrating his >ower over his court, his irritability, or iis tenderness towards Josephine. It s to Mr Knighfs credit, that he rnakea 10 illegitimate "situations."' and that •be part is to be measured on its even nerit. rather than in regard to the tsual flashes against a background of .wfu] dulness. Miss Maud Jeffries' f osephine was played simply, and with ull realization of the rather narrow cope of the part. She was very good ndeed in the renunciation scene, in the neeting with Marie Louise, and in the scene in which she saves the latter from he hands of the mob at the Tuileries. Vlarie Louise herself is generally a. sinpila>rly wooden and uninteresting eharicter, but Miss Florence Hamer, who x'ill be remembered in the most chaxmng of impersonations in "Cousin Kate" iad her first chance of the season, and node Napoleon's second empress some:hing morn than endurable. The renaining characters are mostly only "to 511 the scene," bnt Miss Unie Rnssell was very bright as Stephanie; Mr Pliminer was as good as ever in his old character of Augerau; and Mr Carey was very clever in the comic passages in the fourth act. The scenery was satisfactory, the tableaux splendid, and the adventitious "ballerinas' , (a far quainter and certainly prettier jest than any of Grimand's) danced admirably. Last night's audience was very enthusiastic and the further success of the piece is assured. CHARLES HOLLOW AY CO. The box-plans for the opening piece, •'Two Little Vagabonds," to be presented by Mr Charles Holloway's Dramatic Company, under the direction of Edwin Gea,ch, at the Opera House, next Tuesday night, are now on view at Wildman and Arey's. "Two Little Vagabonds" is one of the most successful of pieces, being true to nature, and as such never fails to command the attention of an audience. The. company allround is a strong one. and the three productions, "Two Little Vagabonds." "Rogues of the Turf,'' and "Shall "We Forgive Her?'" will be aided by Mr Holloway's customary perfect mounting. A special day sale, of tickets has been arranged at Carters' and Groves". The company left Sydney yesterday, and arc due to arrive here next bunday morning. BIOGRAPH ENTERTAINMENT. A biograph entertainment was given in the. Ponsonby Hall last evening by the British Biograph. A large series of living pictures w.is displayed, the films including Coronation scenes, Test cricket match, a football match at the Crystal Palace, and a number- of American 1 view?. Some very entertaining comic j scenes were displayed, and selections by a first-class gramophone were intersper3C*d. "YE OLDE ENGLISHE FAYRE."' There was a good attendance at the Fayre and Carnival at Kingsland last night, and the admirable arrangements which the committee has made worked smoothly in providing a wealth of interesting entertainment for the visitors. There was a beautiful Floral March given last night, followed later by a picturesque version of the Old English Fete Daance round the Mayoole, the great characteristic of the ancient fairs which has been famous as England herself. It was excellently done, and was greeted with frequent applause. The Butterfly Bali was also a beautiful and picturesque scene, which excited great admiration. The side-shows were well patronised, and the booths did good business. The performances to-night include the kinematograph, the Flora] March, the I Maypole, the Butterfly Ball, and the j comic Japanese Dance. The Fayre closes to-morrow night, and a great attendance is expected. Intending patrons should note that cars run to the ground, and that after the Fayre special through Ponsonby cars are pat on, A moonlight mansion 'will be held on Wednesday next-