KNIGHT-JEFFRIES SEASON.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12364, 1 December 1905, Page 8

KNIGHT-JEFFRIES SEASON.

The giaoo and beauty or ' Jionsieur Beaucaire," with us charming and touciung love story, and tno vi__ons of tbo beaux aad bcLes ot pa6t days in all their g.oiy, camo last night as a gieat reuef, alter the my_teiy, sorrow, and Oiuentai cruelty which characterise " The Darling of the Gods." It avoided an of appreciating to iba full the wondonul veiGatuity ot Mr Knight, as snown by his performance of the name part, whta compared with that ot Zakkuri. His clever and artistic impersonation of the fascmat.ng French princo who masquerades as an adventurer, to carry out his plan of attempt! to win the English beauty is woll-kno»... to Christchurch p.aygoors. and last night the part, was played with quite the grace and ease which characterised it before. Miss .JefEries was equally successful as Lady Mary Carlyle, tli_ character being interpreted throughout with a gocd deal of tenderness and charm. The aud.ence appreciated the artistic performance most thoroughly, and enthusiastically called both the principals before the curtain ot the end of the acts. All the other female characters wore woll filled, Miss Hamer and Miss Russell being special y good. Ihe part of tho Duke of Wintorsett, formerly played by Mr Wontner. was in the capable hands of Mr G. P. Garey, who mado it stand out strongly by his careful and artistic performance. Without exaggerating the points of the character, Mr Carey yet amply brought out its malignity and cowardice. Mr Harry Phmmer was very good indeed as Major Molyncux, giving a natural and unaffected performance of the part. Mr Dallas Cairns appeared as Beau Nash, tho character played in the former productions by Mr Carey. Except that ho looked somewhat too youthful for the arbiter elegantarium of Bath, Mr Amos gave a dgnificd and excellent exposition of tho part. All the other characters, which wero filled as before, wero excellently ployed. The minuets were most gracefully danced and evoked well deserved applau-e. Tonight "Monsieur Beaucaire" will bo again played ? and to-morrow evening "A Royal Divorce," which is exceedingly popular here, will bo staged.