HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1158, 20 June 1912, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

BILLY KERSAND’S MINSTRELS. Kersand’s Greatei' American Minstrels are making good their reputation at His Majesty’s Theatre again this week in new items from their repertoire. Those who were hoping to hear the troupe in more of their minstrel melodies will be gratified at the current programme, which includes typical coon songs rendered in hearty fashion. Melody and mirth again prevail, and with the attractive setting of the stage and gay costuming of the performers there is no lack or life ana movement. Messrs. Billy C. Brown, H. Quallie Clarke and Ed. Tolliver make merry with fresh songs and gags, while the other members including the “king of minstrels,” Mr. Billy Kersand, provide a diversified selection of gems, serio and humorous. The tuneful orchestra is quite a feature of the entertainment, and has received warm encomiums. A special matinee for ladies and children will be held on Saturday, when some attractive inducements are to be held out. The final performance will take place on Saturday night, when a bumper house is assured,

■'■BEN HUR.”

OPENING ON TUESDAY.

Electricians and mechanics are busily engaged at His Majesty’s Theatre this week making the necessary preparations for elaborating the production of “Ben Hur,” which opens on Tuesday next. General Lew Wallace’s big spectacular romance is to be staged on an unprecedented scale of splendour, and it is stated nothing approaching the great chariot race has ever been attempted on the Australasian stage. We see the hated rivals, Ben Hur and Messala, each behind three magnificent thoroughbred horses engaged in a thrillingstruggle for supremacy, which culminates in one of the very finest spectacles yet witnessed on the stage. Altogether there are 15 scenes in “Ben Hur,” each one a work of art. One shows the cleansing of the lepers at Mount Olivet, another is viewed from Ben Hur’s house top, with its wide view of Jerusalem, and its glimpses of Imperial Rome in the centurions, who devastate the household with theirs armed guard. Another scene shows a Roman galley, with its slaves chained to the oars, the battle with the pirates, and the tableau of the shipwreck. Again, the Grove of Daphne is presented with its classic procession, masque and ballets. Mr. Eric Maxon, <svho was \seen here as Laertes in “Hamlet” with H. B. Irving, will take the title role in which he created a sensation in Sydney. Mr. Leonard Willey is Messala; Mr. Bardley Turner takes the part of Simonides, Mr. J. B. Atholwood of Balthazar, Mr Winter Hall will appear as Arrius, Mr. Leslie Victor as Drusus, Mr. A. Styan as liderim, Mr Compton as Cecilius, Mr T. W. Lloyd as Malluch, Mr. Boyd Irwin as Hortator, Mr. Walter Gubbs as Metellus, Mr. G. Chalmers as Sanbal-

let. Miss Dorothy Dix appears as Esther, Miss Gwen Burroughs as Iras, the Egyptian, Miss Susie Vaughan will take the role of mother of. Hur; Miss S. George O’Meara will appear as Tizrah, and Miss Alma Vaughan as Amrah. A special feature of the production will be the music.