KNIGHT-JEFFRIES COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10574, 27 January 1906, Page 2

KNIGHT-JEFFRIES COMPANY.

"A ROYAL DIVORCE."

At His Majesty's Theatre last evening the Knight-Jeffries Company revived the gneat Napoleonic spectacle, "A Royal Divorce." There wus a packod audience), who followed the fortunes of the mau of destiny with absorbing interest. As before, the pieco was admirably mounted, and the beautiful tableaux, a feature of "The Royal Divorce," were heartily ap.plauded. The retreat from Mouootr, charge and rout at Wutei'loo, and Napoleon at. St. Helefia, were all encored. Mr Julius Knight's Napoleon was again a masterpiece of acting, and of his many rolefi ho fits none better than that of the Imperial Corsicah. Hie performance wa* a finished one throughout, actions, manner of speech ahd demeanor being carried to perfection. Miss Maud Jeffries' pouitrayal of Josephine was alao of the same brilliant order, although m ber movements she was handicapped by a elight injury to her foot, sustajued during the day. The loving, self-sacrificing spirit of the divbrced Empress, and her unswerving fidolity to Napoleon, were all ideally interpreted. Miss Florence Ham. er successfully undertook the role, of tho - haughty. Empress Marie Louise, and Misa Unie won. all hearts by her peteonatioa Of Stephanie De Beaubarttaiß, a role to which she is well suited. The child King of Rome was taken by Miss Gwenuie Walsh with the skill of a. veteran, and Bhe made quite a hit by her clever performance m ,-What is the prettiest act of tho play. 'Ma. 'Leonard Willey us the Roj v alist. Marquis de Beaumont aud Mr Herbert Leigh as the scheming statesman Talleyrand made ihe most of their varied opportunities. The pompous General Augereau -ffSs m the hands of Mir Harry Plinimer, who hfm a vigorous and effective interpretation consistent With the actor's high reputation. The "drunk" Grimaud, who. gives the chief comic interlude m the drama, was personated by Mr Gi P. Carey, an adept at such characters. Tlie Bong of "Little Corporal"; was rendered by Mr Roeevetu. (Jacques) In a manly, pleasant voice, and this item, as usual, brought an imperative treble encore* The Royal Ballerinas m the third act danced a very dainty quadrille, which took the fancy of the audience so much as to' cause an encore.

This evening tlte compauy make their final appearance, when a double bill, "Davy Garrick" tind "Comedy aud Tragedy' 5 will be presented.