JULIUS KNIGHT SEASON.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 4

JULIUS KNIGHT SEASON.

"Baffles." The return of that talented and extremely popular actor, Mr Julius Knight* attracted a very large audience to the* Opera House last night. The production which served to reintroduce thia favorite artist was " Baffles," the Amateur Cracksman. :, Baffles is a burglar, a most polished, up-to-date and fashionable burglar, of norelation whatever to William Sykes, who was only a humble craftsman in the profession, while Baffles is an architect in crime, taking to the game for love of tha excitement and the glee of outwitting Scotland Yard. Briefly told, the Btoryis that of a society man who at night time is the most daring and accomplished cracksman in London. He falls in love with a girl as beautiful as she is pure* and at her home he burgles a safe and captures a would-be burglar of the* oomnftm or ordinary variety, but a woman, who had somehow got into his paat, and who loved him, and a clever American detective bring about hie downfall in the end. Baffles adds to his criminal tendency a large-hearted generosity and a determination never to profit by hia exploits, and his career, up to the time of hin sensational escape, furnishes dramatia interest throughout and keeps an audience on the qdi'-vive of expectancy. Mr Julius Knight as the burglar hero had a part which gave him every oppor* tanity for brilliant work, and in the moreintense scenes his interpretation was just what audiences have grown to expect from him—a. forcible and powerful portrayal,. Hia characterisation as a whole wae a. very fine study, the \ amateur' burgla* being presented as a Very real penton* and a very real arid clever artast in biß line. Next to Ifr Julius Knight's exposition of "Baffles, , * MrHubert W study of Curtie Bedford, the, detects stood out by reason of special merit It was a clever, consistent, and capable characterisation, never "etagey* and yet always forcible and incisive, -and Mjr Willis played throughout with a fine conception of what he was called upon to do. Besides these two characters there was little opportunity in the play, except in flashes; one character stood out was that of Gwendoline Conron, as interprted by Miss M>rion Grey, who Th the love scene and in the emotional finale was called upon for a pieee of artistio Work. Nor did the call find her lacking for she played, these two scenes with admirable reserve, and her representation of the emotion of the part waa well judged. As Mrs Tidal, whoknew Baffles' past, SKes Elbert-Orton was uniformly good, and her scene in his rooms in the last act was thoroughly capable acting. Miss Mary Godfrey played » dignified part as Lady Melrose. Mr Harry Plimjner,as Cxawebay, the ordinary doit «I burglar, played a very fine soene in the third act, and his work in this respect stood out as a strong feature of the subsidiary parts. Mr H. J. Bentloy was well cast ae Harry Manders, a friend of Baffles, and Mr Beynolds Denniston was equally at home as LordCrowley, while Mr Leslie Victor made a good Lord Ainersteth, The other parts were in; capable hands,, and the play was splendidly staged.