HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1049, 14 April 1910, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

MR. GEORGE MARLOW’S DRAMAMATIC ORGANISATION.

“THAT WOMEN FROM FRANCE.”

The dramatic season at His Majesty’s is fast drawing to a close. Following very successful performances of “The Wedding Ring” on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday last, which drew, good houses “That Woman From France” was staged on Monday evening and will, with a new version of East Lynne, which is announced to be produced to-morrow (Thursday) evening and on Friday, see the season out. The latest of the new plays is every whit as sensational as its predecessors, but the vein of comedy running through it acts as a relief to the tense situations developed as the play proceeds. “That Woman from France” is one Camille Nicol (Miss Essie Clay) the queen of a gang of swindlers, and a beautiful, but abandoned woman, who, some years prior to the story opening, had first married and then ruined John Beaumont (Mr. Herbert J. Bentley), who upon his admission to the gang was styled the king.' Tiring of her husband she contrived to throw the responsibility of certain swindling practices in which she was

engaged, with her accomplices, Phillip Charrington (Mr. Hilliard Vox), known as “The Ace,” the dissolute son of Sir Edmonde Charrington, an English landed gentleman, and Latimer Lowder (Mr. Thomas Curran), who was styled by his comrades “The Knave.” Beaumont falling into the hands of the police is convicted and sentenced to .oui' years’ imprisonment and has been newly released from a French prison a few days prior to the opening of the drama at Beliageo, where preparations are being made for an approaching carnival. “ The Queen” (Camille), who has taken up her abode at Beliageo and is posing as a French Countess, engages herself to Cecil Charrington, Phillip’s brother, understanding that he is a man of considerable wealth and heir to his father’s estates. The Ace and the JCnave arriving on the scene begin to blackmail the sham countess, who introduces the brothers and persuades Cecil, who is completely infatuated with her charms, to invite his brother home to Desmond. Camille is exulting Over her prospective good fortune when her husband Beaumont appears on the scene and just as she is declaring “This trick cannot fail, we hold the master cards,” he interposes with the retort, “No. Camille Nicol, you’ve forgotten the King.” Camille thereupon stabs him in the back and leaves him for dead, but he so far recovers as to vow vengeance upon them. In the second Act Camille, Cecil, Phillip and Latimer have all found their way to the Manor House, Desmond, where Sir Edmonde is introduced to Camille and recognises her as an old acquaintance—his mistress in short. He forbids the impending marriage, whereupon Camille threatens to expose his past relationship with her. Sir Edmonde orders Phillip and Camille to leave the house and implores Cecil to give up the latter and marry his cousin. Failing compliance he makes a fresh will, leaving his estate to Beryl Stancliffe. having first destroyed that in which Cecil was made heir. Camille and Phillip coming upon him as he is reading the new will first chloroform and then strangle him with one of Cecil’s handkerchiefs but in the struggle, which takes place in the grounds at

night, the will drops to the ground and is secured by Latimer Lowder, who has been indulging not wisely but too well, and who hides it in the pedestal of a sundial in which he notices a loose brick. The police coming on the scene Phillip denounces Cecil as his father’s murderer, and in the absence of a will succeeds to the estate. Thence out it becomes a hunt for the supposed murderer, who has made good his escape, and a battle of wits between Phillip and Camille, who contracts a bigamous alliance. on the one hand, and Cecil and his friends, including Beaumont (Camille’s husband) Martha Williams (Miss Nettie Bundahi), the old hotelkeeper, her daughter Winnie (Miss Louise Carbasse), and Latimer Lowder, who is always trying to recollect where he has hidden the will which he is desirous of recovering before denouncing the real murderers of Sir Edmonde. There are several exciting scenes relieved by the little comedies, in which the mother, daughter and the Knave, who has turned honest, figure prominently, and then comes the stirring denouncement, with the recovery of the lost will, the impeachment of the murderers, and the tragic death, at her own hands, of “That Woman from France,” followed by the arrest of Phillip Charrington and the reunion of Cecil and Beryl. The play is particularly well mounted, the scenic attractions being very noticeable. The characters are for the most part well sustained, although in some instances the dialogue appeared faulty, possibly because the performers had not got into the swing of the piece on Monday. Mr. Hilliard Vox is rather too excitable in the villain’s role, and seems to unnecessarily and unnaturally exaggerate the villainies to which he lends himself. Mr. T. E. Tilton is scarcely as happy in the character of Sir Edmonde’s younger son as he appeared to be in the older parts assigned to him in “ Married to the Wrong Man” and “ The Wedding Ring.” He seemed unable to sink his individuality as successfully in the part of Cecil Charrington as he did in those of Joseph Skinner and Peter Fletcher, which were really admirable conceptions. Mr. Herbert J. Bentley, in the less buoy-

ant character of the reformed ler, John Beaumont, showed considerable versatility of talent, and Mr. P. V. Scully made good as Sir Edmonde Charrington. In the comedy part of Latimer Lowder, Mr. Thomas Curran proves the life of the play, and gives a very meritorious performance. In this he is admirably assisted by Miss Louise Carbasse, the talented soubrette player, whose pert ways and piquant sayings and doings prove very refreshing. Miss Essie Clay appears to be more at home in the part of Camille Nicol, and acts with greater vigour than we have yet seen her display. Miss Lilian Booth makes a charming foil to the villainous French adventuress, and acts gracefully and well throughout. As Martha Williams, Miss Nettie Bundahi is also excellent. The minor parts are well sustained, Mr. Maurice Nodin’s characterisation of the Gendarme, Mr. G. Saunders as Marco, the Italian waiter, and Mr. John Stokes as the Stationmaster, being worthy of special mention. The final performance of “ That Woman from France” will be given this evening, a new version of “East Lynne” being presented to-morrow and on Saturday as the farewell production of the company.

THE BESSES O’ TH’ BARN BAND.

Monday evening next will witness at His Majesty’s the first of six evening and two matinee performances by the renowned Besses under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. A Bloemfontein ((S.A.) criticism says: “ As a body of musicians they are unique. As individual soloists they are unsurpassed. The precision and attack manifested by them is marvellous, and analysing each kind of instrument performed on the impression is given that instead of there being over thirty performers it seems as if the volume given was rendered by a single performer of each instrument, such was the perfect blending and conformity manifested throughout. At times the effect given was more like the tremolo swell of an organ than anything else. The programme presented was a comprehensive one, including selections from Rossini, Sullivan, Wagner, Gungi, and Balfe. The

capacity of the various instruments as solo instruments was fully demonstrated as never before. Mention must be made of the cornet solos, in all of which wonderful lip manipulation and perfect control over the instrument was evinced. The euphonium and trombone solos were masterpieces of artistic skill, the tone was rich and perfectly modulated. It is not without just cause that the ‘ Besses’ are termed the finest band in the world.” Plans are on view at Wildman and Arey’s. The closing night of the Auckland season will be set aside for a special plebiscite concert, for which programmes and forms may be obtained at the box office.