A ROYAL DIVORCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 684, 8 December 1909, Page 8

A ROYAL DIVORCE.

.-'■ ..-.', . ' +?■— —-■ . :''' ''■;.;'-. : ;■■■■: THE JULIUS KKIGHTDSAMA TIC COM//.PANY. - ;.' "A Royal Divorce,"! a play'in. five acts by TV. 6;'Witts. Cast:. ;: ; '; ' .'-. ..;',;,; "'•" Napoleon —_........'...............: Mr. Julius Knight Marquis,do Beaumont '•-.'■ ' .' v ■--"' - ; '.; ■-■■'".' -Mr. Eeynolds .Denniston ■ M. De Tallyrand .......;_........ Mr. Leslie.Victor , ''■" General Augurcau :....;_-.... Mr. Sydney Stirling Murat (Kingof Naples) .... Mr.-Rupert Julian •. : Marshal Ney Mr.-Winter Hall , Lord Keith .'..._„ ;,i.-, Mr. : Stanley Walpole v Grimaud (an innkeeper), Mr. George Chalmers Dr. Mr.-Walter.Hunt . '"Empress Josephine '_..;..- Hiss Beatrice 'Day' Empress Marie Louise ..J;.. Miss Elsie Wilson ', : Stephanie •■ de Beauharnais ■■ ■~.;','■";.. Miss B. Guilford Quin Nurse'™ .~ Miss Mary Marlowe W. G. WiDs^saitractiye-Napoleonic'play. "A Royal Divorce," which has : become identified with Mt. Julius Knightin this part of-the' world, attracted,a large audience to the-Opera House last .evening.. /Whether it. is, that the play is showing'sign6 of wear, and that the bare bones of its ' historical. indiscretions are becoming more apparent, with the years,. or that the drama in general is • advancing to higher artistic flights, the impression' received last /evening-'-was; that the play ; . was' never/ so unevenly performed. There was not the same swing; .or, evidence of; earnestness. as .on the many previous occasions the'. play has been seen in Wellington.. Nevertheless, the theatrical vitality' of the play, cannot be questioned, and there is always. that indefinable fascination inseparable' from the squat grey figure of ; the Man of Destiny, whose name . held Europe paralysed for years. So used have.we become to those purely- ;imaginative pictures of'.Napoleon surrounded by his gaily-caparis-oned staff, Napoleon in. the snow, Napoleon on his white horse at/Waterloo, 'on ■ the deck of H.M.S. Northumberland, and/ on St Helena, that much in the play passes muster as dramatio sentiment, but there are historical, lapses' which even the most superficial 'student. •of Bonaparte's ■ life; must, smile at. '\ As of 'old, the tableaux play a bright part in the production. They represent Moscow.in flames with Napoleon .and his army in' retreat, Napoleon advancing ■ at Waterloo, his army routed, and, finally, the lonely figure looking - out' over the sea .from'a barren rock' on St. Helena. ■ •'

; Mr. Julius .Knight's Napoleon is an excellent study./He strongly suggests the set, purposeful, dominating personality of Napoleon in a clear-cut .portrait, and-never lost a point that was possible, to gain artistically.; Miss Beatrice Day as Josephine was not at her best. She did' not take the fullest advantage.of the fine acting chance of the first act,; and the scene with Marie Louise fell somewhat flat in the light of comparison. Miss Day's, charm Kes in her low; musical voice, •' and her emotional' powers -of the tear-raising order. She rose-to considerable dramatic heights in the farewell scene at the end, and was generally effective' in her' scenes, with . Napoleon. Mr.. Eeynolds'Denniston was'fairly convincing as the arch traitor De Beaumont, and there have been brighter exponents of the role of General Augureau (Mr. Sydney Stirling), ' and his lover Stephanie de Beauharnais (Miss Guilford Quia). Mr.' George "Chalmers, a sterling actor, made the most of the comedy provided for ' the brandy-sodden . ■ inn-keeper Grimaud, and Mr; Leslie Victor,. always incisively conscientkras, was a good Talleyrand. ._ Miss Elsie "Wilson;was Marie Louise, and little Rene Danorio made a bright intelligent midget as the King-of Rome. During the performance Mr. Alfred Andrews "The Littlo Corporal" with" proper emphasis, and a ballet of six enlivened the garden of the Tuilleries scene., The scenery is familiar to all playgoers, bat that of the gardens mentioned is particularly • appealing. The music supplied by the orohestin between tho acts .was; a feature, arid ■'. as some of tho. selections bear the -name of the conductor, Mr. Hal. Camp, bell.; that : gentleman deserves, congratulations. "A Eoyal" Divorce" will be played this evonrng and to-morrow .-.': night.