AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3639, 13 January 1899, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

“A ROYAL DIVORCE." There is a groat fascination in the name of Napoleon. The life of the selfstyled Child of Destiny, one of the greatest military geniuses the world has seen, and the mightiest figure of the century’, has been a subject for poet, painter and philosopher, and Mr Wills has now shaped a play—which though not historically correct is dramatically interesting and impressive—out of some of the most striking incidents, those which the world will always remember, in the most remarkable career of modern times. Sufficient popularity was achieved by the play on its former pro dnetion here to make it unnecessary to refer to the plot more than to say that it hinges on the divorce of the Empress Josephine, and the marriage of Napoleon to the Archduchess of Austria, and that the historical scenes in the life of the great Emperor are realistically represented by a series of beautiful tableaux. The revival of the piece last night by Messrs Williamson and Musgrove’s Dramatic Company’ at the Opera House was witnessed by a largo audience, the stalls, pit and family' circle being thronged. The performance was an unqualified success, and this result, apart from the interest in the play itself, was attributable to the elaborateness and excellence of the mounting, and the admirable quality’ of the acting. The character of Josephine dominates the play more than the Emperor, and Miss Ferrar achieved a brilliant success in the part. The charm of Miss Ferrar’s acting improves upon acquaintance, and in the character of the wronged Empress she is more striking than ever. It was a graceful, sympathetic, passionate, and queenly impersonation, and it must be set down as onb of her greatest achievements. Mr Knight gives a most effective performance of Napoleon, and in representing the stage-mode gloomy phase of the character he is at his best. His “make-up” in figure and feature boro a recognisable resemblance to those of the Little Corsican. The Talleyrand of Mr Hawtrey is a clean-cut, polished performance, the wily, sarcastic diplomatist being ably suggested by this clever actor. Mr Ward was not seen to advantage as General Angeroau. The character evidently did not suit him. Mr Doering gave an amusing character sketch of Grimaud, causing great laughter by his drunken antics. Hr Keightloy was fairly successful as the Marquis de Beaumont, and the other male characters were in excellent bonds. Miss Ireland acted spiritedly as the Empress Mario Louise, and Miss Raymond was vivacious ns Stephanie. Little Miss Brady, as the young King of Rome, spoke her lines very clearly for a child. Mr Rosovoar sang “The Little Corporal,” and' was encored, and a pretty ballet was danced by the ballerinas. As regards accessories,' nothing could be finer than the general mounting of the drama, especially as regards the four tableaux depicting the retreat from Moscow, the final cnargo, and rout at Waterloo, and the Broken Despot bn the Island of St. Helena. The pictures wore all enthusiastically applauded, those representing the Battle of Waterloo rousing the audience to a great pitch of excitement. Emerson described the pit as independent and irresponsible. Ho. omitted their great characteristicpatriotism. It knew no hounds when the second picture was presented, showing the French in full flight, hotly pressed by the Life Guards to the inspiriting tune of “The British' Grenadiers.” “A Royal Divorce” has all the elements calculated fo make a popular success and its revival was so heartily welcomed last night that it is almost certain to be largely patronised during the remaining nights of its brief run.