KNIGHT-JEFFRIES COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10573, 26 January 1906, Page 3

KNIGHT-JEFFRIES COMPANY.

MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE." Gisborno, has been fortunate m seci'..ing a return visit from the company headed by Mr Julius Knight and Mis>« Maud Jeffries, two talented artists who have won tho hearts of colonial playgoers as few before them have done, and who, as tliey now bid farewell to New Zealand, and m the easo of Miss Jeffries to stagecraft for a reason, will leave behind them, amongst a large section of the public, delightful memories of their brilliant acting m some of the loftiest and prettiest dramas that it has been the privilege of our theatre-goers to enjoy. Mr J. C. Williamson, under whose management the company are. again touring the colony, must be .-.-atisficd with the patronage that is accorded his ventures m Gisborne, and that his faith on the present occasion was not misplaced was manifest by tlie huge audience which crowded His Majesty.-* Theatre m every part last evening, and gave a most- eu-thi'-iiustic welcome to Mr Knight, Mies Jeffries, and the excellent company supporting them. The play chuscn for the opening performance of the season was the dramatL'ation of Booth Tarkington's romantic story, "Monsieur Beuucaire," which has been perhaps the most popular of the company's repertoire during its tln-eo or four years' sojourn m Australasia. It is of' a type that happily has not pasml out of favor, brimming with poetic sentiment and chivalry; its llicmo the confidence of love, the intuitive, trust of a lady of .roses, who, though adjudged the haughtiest woman of I.ngland, is proved to be pure gold. Her heart is won by that most captivating personality, Monsieur Beaucaiie, avlioso presence, uuiuvited and uiiinti.du.cd, amongst the fashionables of Bath m its palmy days Of 1735 provokes their bostil.t,v nnd lungs ulu .it his denunciation and temporary disfavor. Throughout liis incognito, first as Bcaueaii. and afterwards on the Count de Ciiateaureon, until his fintil revelation to the astonished aristocrats as the real Due' de Orleans, the French suitor for the hand of tlie beautiful Lady Ma.ry Carlisle, is, as presented by Mr Knight, a person of polished manners, brilliant wit, incisive satire, dauntless courage, and unwavering love. He wins at first sight not only the lady of liis choice, but also the audience, from whom, as from her, the secret of his identity is until the happy ending ingeniously concealed. Beaucoire drops m upon Bath at a lime when the most select society of England is there taking the wateVs and holding fashionable revelry. His natural gifts win for him un entree, bi„ the jealousy of the male section of the company is provoked by his aspirations for the hand of Lady Mary, and suspicions that he is of common parentage — a lackey m the suite of v visiting French ambassador— whose aaociation with people of quality is regarded as intolerable .insolence, bring about his expulsion. He next appears as a gambler, winning the ducats of the nobles, avlio are not too proud to secretly game with him. and laying a trap for the avaricious cunning of hi/s main adversary, the unscrupulous Duke of Winteiset, who cheats at cards, he gains from that gentleman, much against his will, au introduction to society m a fresh guise as a French nobleman. Thore he make.s love desperately and divinely to Lady Mary, who reciprocates the passion, and tliis brings him again into combat with the courtiers, avlio suffer badly from his sword play, much to the satisfaction of the audience, Avhich has taken a liking to tin';Frenchman and admires his play of Avit.--, tongue, and sword — "always fair, messieurs, always fair." It is finally when he Ims woirfrom Lady Mary an acknowledgment that .>he loves liim, even as the barber he is supposed to be, that she believes him to be a man of honor, and is ready to follow him to the end of the Avorld, that he permits Jiis regal parentage to be disclosed, -which, being dramatically done, brings the termination of the story m a most picturesque and satisfying manner. The mime ,part is one m wliich Mr Julius Knight, simulating iidmii-bly the volatile nal-ure. of! .the Frenchman, aiid presenting most cleverly his broken English and expressive gesture.!, fairly revels. His impassioned lo\remaking with the proud beauty of Bath was exquisitely done, and altogether Mr Knight gave a charming conception of tlie role. Miss Maud Jeffries avus not less effective m her representation of the noble Avoman, 'distraught with the conflict of love and pride, of doubt .and fears aiid lender sympathy. The garden scene, m which before* the sculptured Diana she lieai* protestations of her lover's affection, and then Avhen he is assailed and branded as an importer she suffers the pain of an acknowledgment from himself that the accusations are 'true, and therewith renounces him, Avas one painfully impressive, that called for the highest, histrionic art. Miss. Jeffrie iintdc a bea-urtiful "Lady of Roses," and her impersonation of this part will linger long i,, the memory of her . uudieiK.es. Ihe principals Avere ably supported Mr Harry Phnimer confirmed the golden opinion^ he has previously won iv GLsbonio, playing the role of Major Molvneaux, the good friend of Beaucaiie, with munlv sympathy and skill. Mr G. P. Carey was thoroughly effective as the Duke of Winterset, the "slug" from whose ap proaches Beaucaii- Avould save his rose whilst Mr Leonard Willev made 'himself equally detested as Captain Badger. MiDallas Cairns Avas the cxqiuVito Beau A'usli. the prince of dandies, and Messn Usborne, Jeffries, Chalmers, and Stirling four gentlemen of fashion, two of whom at least- were not devoid of humor. 01 the ladies, avlio took mostly minor parts Miw Unic Russell, a s Lucy Relleston". Had most to do, and did it well. The drama Avas beautifully staged, the pretty scenery and handsome costumes eliciting much admiration. A small orchestra rendered appropriate music. This evening the Company will present the great Napoleonic spectacular drama, A Royal Divorce," and to-morrow the season concludes witk the double bill 'Comedy and Tragedy" and "Davy Garnck.' . J