ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5468, 24 December 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. '•MONSIEUR. BEAUCAIRE.” Monsieur Beaucaire, the gay, debonair!' Frenchman, whoso daring and resource are equalled only by bis chivalry, com. plelely dominates tbo story in tho fine play produced last night at tho Wellington Opera House by tbo Williamson Company, at tho bead of which aro Mr .lulius Knight and Miss Maud Jeffries The other characters avo really tbo framework of tho picture; Monsieur Boaucairo is tho play. Ho is a worthy contra! figure of iho picturesque period in which ho moves. Tho ago is that of ?>oau Nn»h ( , when men wore flowered silks, laces and; ruffles, and elaborate perukes; when every man was an export sword small, and the duel was tho favourite pastime of tho hour. In tho gay circles of fashionable Hath, the chivalrous Beaucaiva. with his easy, dignified repose and aristocratic bearing, is a commanding personality; the exquisites of Belgravia nro na match for him in his brilliant wit and satire, or his ability as a maker of courtly phrases and pretty compliments; me I’crt fencers aro confounded by tho adroit play of his rapier; and tho men who sit oyer tho cards with him and gamble for high stakes are equally baffled by his skill. Thou comes tho discoveroy that tho accomplished stranger is an adventurer; a man of lowly birth, a harbor, who is masquerading ns a French gentleman, in order to gain admittance into the exclusive circles of tho elite, and to offer lovo to tho haughty beauty Lady Mary Carlyle. Only ouo result is possible; hoisi expelled from tbo high society of Bath. . Discovering one of tho social loaders, tho Duke of Wintered., cheating at cards, ho compels him, under penalty of disclosure, to int reduce him ae a duke at a fashionable ball, and so recovers his position. "I will, out of compliment to you,” ho says to tho reluctant Wintorset,, , with mock politeness, ''assume tho saui a rank as yourself. I will bo a dnko also,” and then with a whimsical piny upon words, ho adopts as his title "Chateau-' nen, ’ to indicate that his castle is no. whore. After a series of adventures, tho supposed barter is rovonlod as a Royal prince, confuses bis enemies, and winr Hi© band of Lady Mary. Mr Julios Knight has never boon soon 1 in any liner piece of work than his Monsieur Boaucairo. It is undoubtedly a thoroughly artistic performance,• consistent in every particular. Ho represents to the life the French aristocrat, chivalrous in speech and action, gay, volatile, full of humour, and many-sided; alert and shrewd in moments of danger, passionate in his love-making, and light, hearted to a degree. Tho public, who . applauded Mr Knight enthusiastically when ho appeared, must have realised before tho night was over that in his latest character ho has surpassed all his previous performances, in a wide range of parts in New Zealand. Ho possesses in. a singular degree the faculty of concealing his identity, ami his Monsieur Beaucaire is an admirable example of this fact. Tbo French accent, the rapid delivery, the mannerisms of voice and gesture—all wore there, the picturesqufe and romantic personality completely endowed with life. Tho encounter with tho Duke of Wintered' over the game of cards, whoa Beaucaire seizes the nee which his adversary bad concealed in his sleeve, was capitally developed. There is a stirring situation in the ballroom scene at Lady Bellorton’s. Wintorset and his ally. Captain Badger, force a quarrel upon Beaucuiro, and a duel is the result, despita the frenzied appeal of the Frenchman's friend Major Molynoux, who is fully aware that Badger is the best swordsman of tho kingdom. The opponents retire at once to fight, Boaucairo with easy confidence agreeing to return half an hour later to fulfil an nnpointraent made at tin request of Lady Mary, that ho should take one of the guests in to supper. Tho audience does not sob the duel, but at nears a rousing description of it from tin lips of Major Molynoux, who in his ox-, cited pride, tells the astonished guests cf the glorious bit of sword-play ho has just witnessed, and how easily Boaucairo brought his redoubtable antagonist to ©arlli. Just as tho feelings of the guesla and audience have been kindled to enthusiasm by tbo nows, Beaucaire himself appears, descending the stairway, and - leading tho Dowager Countess of Green-;, bury to supper. The red roses which the . gnosis carry in their hands are showered upon him in tribute'of thoir admiration. Tlie rose offered by Lady Mary, tho significant pledge of her lovo, is tho one ho has sought for, and kissing it, he holds it aloft in triumph, as tho curtain falls upon this act. Miss Maud Jeffries was strikingly beautiful as Lady Mary Car- ' lyle. There is not much scope for acting in tho part, but the scene in which the proud and aristocratic beauty confesses her lovo for Beaucaire was played with great judgment. Mr Harry Plimmer played with admirable effect as Major Molynoux, looking well in the military unHorm. Another old friend Mr Q. F. Carey, appeared as the autocratic Bean Nash. Miss Unio Russell .was a pleasing Lucy Bellerton, Mr Frank Stirling played well as Mr Eakell, Mr Arthur Wontuer was the Duke of Wintorset, and Messrs Nott Osborne and Norman Jeffries were Lord Townbrnko and Mr Bantison. Mr George Chalmers gave an excellent ixrantrayal of the elderly gossip Mr Bicksett. The 'eighteenth-oenfury costumes and the excellent scenery made a scries of exceedingly attractive stage pictures. Tho minuet at Lady Bellerton’s ball was very graceful. 'iffio theatre was crowded in every part ’ "Monsieur Beaucaire" is to be repeated) tor several nights. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. This evening Mr Dix will "laughing holiday bill." Tho reappearance of Miss Lizzie Kirk and Mr Frank Loon will bo welcome. Tn addition, the. sensational act "looping the great wheel" by the Wheelers should prove a strong, attraction. Inside a revolving- wheel, 15ft in diameter, Mr Wheeler rides an ordinary bicycle in an extraordinary manner. This act has never before been seen in New Zealand. Supported by a strong company, Mr Dix's patrons may! expect a highly .enjoyable evening. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Fullers’ Entertainers ' commence their ■ holiday season to-night at His Majesty’s Theatre, when an entirely new company will appear in a programme of more than ordinary merit. The company is headed by the Nawns, the American sketch team, who will produce for the first time here, ".Shipmates." Mr Tom Nawn has superintended tho production of a new first part appropriately costumed and mounted, "Hiawatha," the electrical and, other effects of which were brought form America. The company includes Messrs Frank King. Ted Anderson. Harry Carloton, Sam Wilson. Joe Cowan, Victor, the Misses Vera and Doris McAuley, May Rose, Lulu Eugene, and Florrie Leigh. A first-ra)« vaudeville jirogramme can be confidently expected. • At the Missions to Seamen last night tho misekraer gave first aid hints showmg how to bandage in various kinds of accidents likely to happen at Christmas time. A programme of music was supplied by Miss Chauraan, who was assisted by the Misses Emery. Adams, and the Messrs Dunn and O’Brien (Helen Denny).