WILLIAMSON AND MUSGROVE'S NOVELTIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6064, 30 December 1897, Page 2

WILLIAMSON AND MUSGROVE'S NOVELTIES.

■ - -*-» . Messrs Williamson and Musgrove have' been associated with many . spirited ventures during the past fifteen years, and : Kew Zealanders have to thank tkemfor many fine productions and the latest novelties, but it appears as if the coming tour of The Sign of the Cross Company, which commences at Dunedin on Boxing night, is likely to surpass all their previous efforts. The company (sixty-eight in number) with many tons of scenery, constitutes probably the boldest domestic enterprise that lias ever been attempted in the colony and the productions to be presented consist of thi-eetrrantl plays. The first is Wilsonßarreit's The Sign of the Cross.adnritfcediy oneof the most remarkable plays of the century. It possesses a world-wide reputation, and it held all England and Australia spellbound by its force, its daring and its earnestness. The Prisoner of Zenda is a dramatised version of Anthony Hope's famous novel, by Henry Rose, -which was such a great success in England and America last year, and of which Mr Clement Scott, the famous English critic wrote: "It hit the public taste for two reasons ; first, because it was arranged fqr the stage by a capable and experienced actor and dramatist, and, secondly, because it was acted in a manner exactly suitable to the style of the romance. A Royo.l Divorce is a drama by W. G. AYills, depicting episodes in the life of Napoleon 1. and the Empress Josephine. Ii; is a play that not only gives scope for excellent and impressive acting, but also for the presentation of some of the finest stage pictures ever seen in the colonies. In Australia it rivalled The Sign of the Cross for popularity. The most remarkable point about the success of Tke Sign of the Cross is that it was largely due to the unanimous encomiums lavished oh it by a class hitherto violently antitheatrical, viz., tho clergy ot all denominations. A drama* entirely novel and original in its nature, possessing v story of strong religions interest, intensely dramatic in parts, and presenting a picture of life as it was lived by the early Christians— these constitute the elements of Mr Barrett's work, wliich appealed so effectively to the English play-goers and called forth the blessing of ecclesiasticism. The fortunate author occupies an unusual and enviable position in th c theatrical world to-day. It is rarely, indeed, that we find a drama written, acted and managed by one man. Yet this is what Mr Wilson Barrett can claim. Born in 1840, Mr Barrett has, for more than thirty years, been one of the most successful, most persevering, most devoted members of the theatrical profession. He is as popular in America as in England, and his popularity will doubtless extend to Australia, where he arrived this month. His capacity for hard work is remarkable, and he is respected throughout the profession for his kindness of heart, devotedne&s to the drama and earnest desire to assist dramatic aspirants. Not content with the' success he achieved with The Sign of the I Cross, lie wrote a novel on the same subject, which some months ago had reached a sale of 30,000 copies, and has doubtless doubled itself by now. The play itself has been played 5000 times in different parts of the world — a unique, record. The artists who will • take part in the production of 'I'/ic Sign of the Cross in this colony will be identical with those that achieved such distinction in ..Australia. They include Mr Julius Knight, whom Mr ' Musgrove sent to the colonies to play the exacting leading roles of 3farcus Superbus, •Rassendyli and N.ipoleon — Mr Knight's merits were unanimously acknowledged by the Australian Press ; Miss Ada Ferrar, who is the leading iady, an actress 'whose ability met with instant recognition everywhere; Miss Elliot Page, who combines great personal beauty with much artistic ability ; Messrs Gaston Mervale, H. J. Carvill, W. P. Hawtrey, Caleb Porter, Richard Stewart, J, B. Atholwood, David Glassford, Newton Griffiths, Harry Holl, F.Herron, Grainger, and Grant, Mrs Maesmore Morris, Misses Linda Raymond, Edith Russell, Nellie Mortyne, Hetty Muret, PJorence Hope, Marie Neilson, F. Reidy and numbers of others, constituting a^'cast which, for completeness, has certainly not been surpassed by any dramatic 'organisation which has toured this colony.