HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 677, 26 February 1903, Page 10

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S DRAMATIC COMPANY. J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company are drawing exceptionally large audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre with Conan Doyle and M. Gillett’s sensational drama, “ Sherlock Holmes,” in which Mr Cuyler Hastings causes such great enthusiasmfbyF his portrayal of the great detective/ The whole of this company are exceptionally good in their respective parts,; and the staging and mounting are in a style never equalled before in Auckland. Last! night (Wednesday) “ If I were King ” was to replace “ Sherlock l Holmes,” and by all accounts promises to be as equally effective in pleasing Auckland audiences The performance will take place after we have gone to press, so I cannot do better than quote a paragraph from a Sydney contemporary as to the reception the piece received there :—“ At the Theatba Royal, Justin McCarthy’s romantic, warlike, and altogether thrilling drama/' f l£ 1 Were King” scored •an instantaneous success, and the play is drawing the immense business it thoroughly deserves;. As Francis Villon, the dirty, drunken, debauched rogue, and poet, whom the author has glorified into a dashing adventurer of the Brakespear order, Mr. Cuyler Hastings gives another proof that he is an actor of a high grade and rare intelligence, for no two parts, could well be more opposite than are Sherlock Holmes and Francis Villon.” .A . ■

Miss Fitzmaurice Gill’s Dramatic Company, who are playing at the chief town in the Taranaki District, are recording very gopd business, especially in iNew Plymouth, where “The .Sign . of ‘ the Cross/ was produced, and scored another success for the Company..