NOTABLE DRAMATIC EVENT

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 675, 12 February 1903, Page 11

NOTABLE DRAMATIC EVENT

VISIT OF J. C. WILLIAMSON’S “ SHERLOCK HOLMES ” COMPANY. Fresh from the great triumphs achieved in Australia, and more recently in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington, Mr J. C. Williamson’s famous English, American and Australian dramatic organisation will form the coming dramatic feast at His Majesty’s Theatre, commencing on Monday evening next, February l&th, when will be presented for the first time in Auckland the much-discuss-ed dramatic novelty, viz., Sir A. Conan Doyle’s famous creation, “ Sherlock Holmes,” or, “ The Strange Case of Miss Faulkner,” being a hitherto unpublished incident in the career of the great detective. When first produced in .Australia at Mr Williamson’s' Melbourne and Sydney Theatres, “ Sherlock Holmes ” scored an instantaneous success, running for no less than six weeks in Melbourne, and eight weeks in Sydney to crowded houses, whilst it has just concluded a record season of ten nights at the Opera House, Wellington. No character in modern fiction has a wider fame than the wonderful detective created by Conan Doyle. In a series of interesting story the author has shown every side of this strange personality, in whom the faculties of observation and deduction have been developed to an abnormal degree. The action of the piece is said to be intensely absorbing throughout, and holds the spectator in a grip from the rise to the fall of the curtain, the surprising incidents, dramatic situations, and clever, clear-cut characterisation and sensational denouements being unique in their boldness and originality. To produce the drama with all the necessary completeness which is c O v’ell-known a characteristic of Mr J. C. Williamson, a powerful company of dramatic artists has been special!) selected in England and America and is headed bv the eminent young American actor, Mr Cuvier Hastings, who will appear as Sherlock Holmes, the great detective, as played by him with enormous

success throughout the United States, and in Melbourne and The other members of the company' include Miss May Chevalier, Miss Mabel Lane, Miss Minnie Terry, Miss Nina Herbert, Miss Julia Merton, Messrs Hamilton Stewart, J. 15. Atholwood, Lumsden Hare, Edmund Gwen, Frank Hollins, Roland Staveley, Frank Patey, T. W. Lloyd, Dale Revenall, and many others. The magnificent scenery- is by Mr Williamson’s artist, Air John Gordon.