ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13744, 8 May 1908, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A ROYAL DIVORCE." Theue are one or two plays which theatre? goer* never grow tired of. - " A Royal Divorce" is one of these. When revived by the Julius Knight Company, it drew what must have been something very nearly approaching „a record attendance at His Majesty's last night.,. In '..all'parts. of the house the entire seating capacity was taken up. and scores of enthusiasts stood the piece out. Its* qualifications are too well known to need any more than a "passing reference here. Mr.'Julius Knight's Napoleon is a classic now. and to say that he repeated, and emphasised perhaps, his former successes in the role, is to aptly enough convey an impression of his work last, night. He so acted, indeed, as to satisfy the 'most critical of his admirers. Miss Ola .Jane Humphrey lias not given us a liner portrayal during the present season than her Josephine.' Her emotional work, in the first act particularly,'.'was a genuine triumph. By perfect ■ (sell-control she conveyed an impression of acute suffering. Her tears were wrung as if from a broken heart, and probably no one. in front failed" to bo touched to the quick by the scene which ends with Josephine's abasement at the feet of her lord. -Miss Humphrey passed through the pathetic situation.'? that followed with Iter art equally well in hand, rising to her dramatic moments, or sinking into tender phases of portraiture with real ability. The whole performance hail the true ring of sincerity about, it, and displayed the actress in a most favourable light. Miss. Elsie Wilson's conception of the Austrian Empress, Marie Louise, was a talented one. There was grace of carriage. hauteur, queenly dignity, behind meaner qualities of the woman impersonated. Miss Wilson is to be complimented upon a thorough study, that proved an excellent contrast to the role of Josephine, besides impressing the onlooker in itself. .Miss Florence Gleeson was delightfully pert and candid as Stephanie, and Mr. Harry Plimmer assumed his old part of Angereau with a gusto and spirit that carried it off finely. The Tallerand of Mr. Leslie Victor was artistic, like most of this conscientious actor's work, and . Mr. Reynolds Denntsldti acquitted /himself"'.' well* as De Beaumont. Deserving of special mention was the performance of Baby French as the little King of Rome. Her intelligent work showed the child to be gifted to "a marked degree, and the 'applause bestowed upon ' Iter was thoroughly .deserved. • Mr.; Alfred Andrew, as Jacques, sand the " Corporal's Song " admirably. .Messrs. Geo. ' Chalmers, 'Herbert J. Bentlcy, Dudley Clinton, and others filled the remaining roles to the satisfaction of the large audience; The staging of the piece was good, and the tableaux ..effects strikingly so. - ' ' '"" : ':'- ; " ■/" "■ ' ■ To-night the company's season closes in a repetition of "A Royal Divorce." .. PERRY'S BIORAMA. . The next attraction •at His Majesty's ■ Theatre will be Perry's Bioi'ama of moving pictures, interspersed by illustrated ballads by Miss Eva Brady, juggling and acrobatic acts by the ." Four Academy Boys," and new *' rag-time " melodies by Mr_ Harry Collins. Mr. Perry's repertoire is said to include a wide range of'subjects. The season commences to-morrow evening, and is limited to six nights. '■;•• ,■ ~.; '.'•".. '