HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 830, 1 February 1906, Page 18

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“THE DARLING OF THE GODS.”

An event to which theatre-goers have been looking forward for some time was the production by the Knight-Jeffries Company of the much-talked-of play, “ The Darling of the Gods,” a story of old Japan, by David Belasco and John Luther Long. The plot has been told and retold so often that it is unnecessary to repeat it here at length. Briefly, it tells of one Prince Kara, a leader of the last of the Samurai, who, going to the residence of the Prince of Tosan, is waylaid by spies hired by Zakkuri, the Mikado’s Minister of State. Kara cuts his way through to keep the appointment with the Prince of Tosan, but is wounded, and would have been murdered but for a rescue by Yosan, the daughter of the Prince, who has him conveyed to her residence, where she nurses him back to nealth. This being discovered by Yosan’s father, he casts her off, while Kara is captured by Zakkuri. The latter is about to torture Kara with a view to making him divulge the secret hiding place of the rest of the Samurai, but to save her lover from such cruel punishment Yosan betrays the secret. Kara is thereupon released and rejoins his band, which, however, is exterminated by the emissaries of Zakkuri. Ultimately the lovers meet again after death in the First Celestial Heaven.

It is a curious play, of a somewhat weird description, which, without a handsome setting, would never seriously hold the attention of the audience. Mr. Williamson has, however, attended to this defect in the most thorough manner, the result being that the frame is worth more than the picture. The prettiest set is the opening one, showing the gardens within the Yashiki of the Prince or Tosan. Here a very beautiful effect of lighting is produced. Much has been said and written of the superb effect at the close of the play, showing the River of Souls and the Celestial Heaven, but this was found to be so strongly reminiscent of “ The Sign of the Cross” and the Field of Wagram in “ L’Aiglon” as to be a little disappointing, and might have been omitted without in any way spoiling the play. The scenes of Japanese life were very correct, careful attention having been paid to the smallest detail, and here the setting proved everything to be desired. Especially was this so in the Feast of a Thousand Welcomes, while all through there was ample evidence of much attention having been devoted to the production. Mr. Julius Knight essayed the role of the cruel Minister, Zakkuri, and scored in it a signal success. If fault there was it consisted of the part being made rather too much of the bloodthirsty villain and not quite enough evidence being given of the Minister of State. Miss Jeffries mad? every point tell as the Princess Yosan. It was not her fault, but the author’s, that the interjection “ Say So” becomes irritating from its constant reiteration. Miss Jeffries very cleverly brought out the difference between the light-hearted girl of the earlier portion of the story and the heart-broken woman of its close. Mr. Harry Plimmer was excellent as Kara, the manly role suiting him admirably. Mr. Nott Osborne, who shows a big advance in his adopted profession, proved somewhat amusing as Tanda Tanji, the nephew of Zakkuri, while in the role of Inu, a dumb servant of Tosan, Mr. Dallas Cairns did good work. The cast was a very lengthy one, comprising no less than thirty-six characters, and none of the number were out of drawing, the parts being most capably filled. The -quaint sayings and customs of Japan were amusing and interesting, the predominant note being the one of ■obsequious politeness under all cir-

cumstances. “ The Darling of the Gods” is not a great play, but all the same it is one which is well worth witnessing. There was a monster house on the opening night, and business has been exceedingly good during the week. The next production of the KnightJeffries Company will be “ Monsieur Beaucaire,” a play founded upon Mr. Booth Tarkington’s exciting romance. It was produced when the company was last here, and immediately scored a great success. The part of the Due d’Orleans is one which seems to fit Mr. Julius Knight like a glove, while Miss Maud Jeffries has a very congenial role as the Lady Mary Carlyle. All those who have seen the play once will want to go again, while for those who nave not done so there is a great treat in store.