THE WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 8

THE WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

_—:—— <f "■IFIWEHEKING." Tho attendance at tho Princess Theatre on Thursday evening was a numerous one, but was quite eclipsed by that of last evening, when "Sherlock Holmes" was produced for the last time; in fjict, there was a record attendance at the theatre last evening, all parb being equally crowded. This evening Mr J. C. Williamson will show Dunedinites one of the most thrilling and, from a spectacular point of view, beautiful dramas ever, staged in Now Zealand in Mr Justin Huntly M'Cartliy'a play "If I wero King." There i 3 one scene alone which never fails to cal 'forth the 'most vociferous applause, and which in Australia could not find satisfaction until tho artist 2lr John Gordon, had made his appearance several times before tho curtain. This.i's, the Rose Garden of Louis the Eleventh of France, showing.the. stately facade of an ancient French mansion, with terraces beyond dappled with' sunlight, and shadow far away to iho screen of delicate foliage that closed the vista. Another excellent exhibition of artistic colouring and fidelity to Natnro is afforded in the Fir Cone tavern, a' suburban Parisian wine shop ■or auberge, at which is seen assembled a motley crowd of "cullions and cut-purses,"' bullies, wantons, thieves, swash-bucklers, and murderers, dressed in the pioturesque garb 3 of tho period, which is 1450. There aro several Other delightful' scenic presentations,, the.beauty.And pleasing effect of them oil being considerably enhanced by the st-nJrtling rapidity, or.suddenness with which the changes of scene are accomplished by tho stage -n<Nhanists. The pla> itself is remarkable is only for three or foiu magnificent tableaux,, in which the chivalry and turbulence oi the fifteenth century are embodied with ronumtic lad stirring effect,- and in its general classification it may be said to belong to the category of pieces which has given us " Tho Prisoner of Zenda," " Under the' Red Robs,'.' etc., so that on the score of display and stage effect alone " If I Wero King", will be found equal to anything over introduced into this colony. It ran for a whole year in New York, and on being transferred to St. James's Theatre, in the English'metropolis, it proved tho suo:es3 of last year's London season, which fnct induced Mr Williamson to promptly securo tho Australasian righta for a pretty stiff figure. Expense, however, does not count with tins experienced entrepreneur when he sees sterling merit in a play, and tho great success "If I were King" lias achieved in all the capitals of Australia has shown tho wisdom of his investment. ...

"If I Were, Kin g" has been constructed out of the incidents historically recorded in tho life ot Francois Villon, a talented French piay-wright, poet, and wan of letters, who knocked about ",Gay Parec" when.the French throne was occupied, by Louis XI. He was, like many other.genuises born before and after him, a person of low moral nature in many respects, and of roprehoasibly dissolute habits. He could adapt himself with an easy conscience—or no conscience at all—to any enterprise, from the composition of a' love poem to the burgling of a cathedral for the sake of the valuable sacramental vessels. . On one memorable- occasion,' unluckily for him, he visits the aforesaid, wine house, "The Fir Cone," with a gang of his equally degenerate associates, and, whilst in his cups, loudly boasts of what be would do if he. were King. Louis the King happens to bo present himself incognito, and, on hearing Villon's poem " If I Werc'King" recited by him, conceives the idea of giving effect to the noet's dream for a brief term; 1 lis tv prelude to a more permanent lofty elevation to tho gallows. Villon had been smitten by the charms of Katherine de Vancolle, an exceedingly proud, beautiful maid of honour of the' Frenah Court, who, in an evil hour, had been forcibly betrothed, to the Grand Constable of France, Thibaut D'Aussigny. To this lady Villon has addressed certain amatory verses; as a reward for which he gets soundly cudgelled by Thibaut's servants; but he has nevertheless succecdcd.in arousing Kathcrine's interest in him,- and she clandestinely visits him, and iucites him to pick a quarrel with' Thibaut, and, if possible, kill him. A sensational duel with swoid3, fought in the dark, is the outcome of her interview; the Grand Constable being. dangerously wounded in the eoinbal. ' Francois 1 is arrested by the city guard and thrown into prison, where he is claimed by the Monarch (who is again in disguise) with the words " 1 am, the King's justice." ' In tho succeeding act Villon wakes up from a drunken and drugged sleep to find hiinscir High Constable of France, and tho most exalted and powerful man in the realm next to the' King. He holds a court of justice, and in a laughable comedy scena tries a ad pardons several of his associates; altor which lie makes violent loveto'his inamorata Katherine. France at this time is having trouble with a Burgundian army, which is beseigmg Paris, and she tells him she mil marry him if he will save France. He heads a desperate midnight attack on the. beseigers, whom he completely routs'; but the inexorable Louis insists on executing him ,in seven, days unless ho can win her hand. She has somehow learnt, that although of tried bravery he is a penniless adventurer of ignoble birth, and instead of requiting his love, ■ pours on his devoted head all the scorn and contempt she can express for l:im. But when she finds him doomed to the scaffold—which is actually erected on the stage, she relents; her love overcomes her pride, and sho marries him at tho foot of the gallows steps; by which ceremony he becomes a vassal of her estate.. Moved by her entreaties the King consents to'his pardon, providing a substitute is'' forthcoming, and she offers herself, but Louis' refuses to''accept her.- Ultimately he "reprieves Villon,'and makes him in reality tlie Grand Constable; and as the latter, during his brief .tenure'of office, had repealed the wine 'sy and other unpopular duties, he at once b-JoiiiiK>3-lH'o'-.idol'. : ;o£'tho people, and, with Kathgrine, lives'happily.-cver afterwards. -■• .

The role of Francois Villon is the very antithesis to that of Sherlock Holmes, yet Mr Cuyler Hastings is said by Australian critics to fill the part to perfection, thus showing his wonderful versatility as an actor. Mr J. B. Atholwood, who is acknowledged to bo tho finest player in Australia in his particular line, gives as finished "a portrayal of the French King Louis as he did of Professor Moriarly, which is spying a great deal. Miss Mabei Lane, Miss Amy Chevalier, Miss D'Arcy Read, Mr Edmund Civen. Mr P. C. Hare, Mr'llamilton Stewart, and Mr Prank Hollins all prove cnpiblo supporters and able exponents of. their various characters, of whom it may be mentioned there arc more than .10 represented in the piece. Local playgoers should not miss seeing " If I were King."