GREAT DRAMATIC EVENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10228, 10 December 1904, Page 2

GREAT DRAMATIC EVENT.

Probably the most important dramatic season that Gisborne hus> ever been favored with is announced to take place at His' Majestys Theatre on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Deceligber 19th, i 20th, and 21st, the occasion being-' th» aj>. peorance of Mr J, 0. Williamson » famous company, headed by those celebrated Eng. > lish artists, Miss Maud Jeffries and MrM Julius Knight. Only on one or two occasions has Australia's leading entrepeneur sent any of his companies to this town, the trouble being the lack of stage accommodation to. properly present the plays as he is accustomed to have them presented. Now, boweyer, that that difnciiloy has been overcome he is sending ay an experiment what is described as the largest, the most talented, and the most expensive dramatic organisation, m the colonies, m order that he. may ascertain fully, as a guide, to future movements, whether Gisborne shall m the future be included m the New Zealand circuit or not.' What this . means to all playgoers who axe aware of the many magnificent attractions— in opera, . m dramai and m comedy— which Mr Willuiansbn 'has under his direction, and avuo have m the pa»t been precluded from witnessing them, can scarcely, be' over-estimated/and there can be no doubt that they will show by record houses tliat these, attractions -will rectfiwi the f idlest measure of aud warrant periodical visits here. The com. pany is now m its fourth week m Auckland playing to overflowing houses, so much so indeed that many are nightly unable to obtain admission. This m jfjW^ self should be a. fair indication of tlie Wj tractiveuess of both players and plays. A splendid repertoire has been selected for. ,T.he three nights here. Cn Wednesday evening Wileon Barrett's remarkable religious- drama, "The. Sigh of the Cross," wll. be staged ; on Tuesday evening the -great Napoleonic .spectacle, "A Royal Divorce,'! and on Wednesday evening, . Hall Caine's ; powerful \york, ''The Eternal City.". Mr Williamson's pricipal touring manager, Mr Harold Ashton, arrives, to-morrow, and on Monday evening particulars will be given of the opening of the. box office at Mr Miller's, the prices of admission, etc.