JULIUS KNIGHT COMPANY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 676, 29 November 1909, Page 8

JULIUS KNIGHT COMPANY.

"THE SIGN OF THE CBOSS." "The Sign of the Cross," a play in four abts by Wilson-Barrett. .Castr—- ■ i -

Marcus Superbus ....Sir. Julius Knlsht. Nero ;..._.-..Mr. Sydney SUrIW; ■ Tigelljnus ..Mr. Winter Hall. Jjncinitts —.—.Mr. Eoynolds Denniston. wabri ) „..Mr. George Chalmers. Pnuodemus Jlr.> Audrey Mallalieu. ■ ■ Servillius Mr. Enpert Julian. Strabo "Mr. Alfred Andrew. Viturius Mr. Stanley W alpole. Metullus Mr. Arthur Spenco.. Berenise — .- .......Miss-Elsie Wilson. Dacia Hiss J.;. Qnilford Quin. Poppei Hiss Queenie Burrows. Ancaria Miss Vivie Spence. . Favius Mr.- Walter- Hunt. Titus. Mr. George Trcloa'r. Stephanus .... .'.Miss Millie Lempriere. Mercia Miss Beatrice Day. The late Mr. Wilson Barrett evolved something new in melodrama when he wrote "The Sign of the Cross," the play revived by -the Julius Knight Company at the Opera House on Saturday evening. Under , tho patronage of the togn 7 which always suggests the classic, and utilising ths voluptuous atmosphere -of pagan Eome, he was permitted to go to lengths calculated to surprise even those who are not given to being over-censorious. ' With admirable cunning the dramatist has endeavoured to create , a theatrical glorification of the martyrdom endured by the early Christians, while giving the publio a full draught of the heady wine of life as it was understood when Caesar Nero's throne trembled and or its occupant's palsied frame.

Mr. Jnlius Knight was a splendid .figure as the patrician Marcus Superbus, whose every line is written isith a pause for applause at its conclusion. Mr. Knight's talent is too well proved to think that he, could make ought-b»t the most of such a paity.... He was in truth' the noblesit Komim o£ thein nil. Miss Beatrice Day made a remarkably good Mercia, though not perhaps Jdeal. She succeeded in conveying' that air of simplicity and steadfastness of purpose so essential .to the role, and her easy elocution : was by comparison good to listen to. Mr. Sydney Stirling gave a clever little sketch of the. palsied Nero, quite, effective, without exaggerating the mobile egotist's salient characteristics.. The Tigellinus of-Mr. Winter Hall was hardly so subtle as it might have"'been:' He- was the' bold, frank plotter against' the' Prefect, : rather' than the- <Jeep diplomat of. the Court. , Miss Guilford Quin made- a charming Dacia, Miss Elsie Wilson-a voluptuous-Berenise, Miss Burrows a colourless Poppea (apart from her costumes), and Miss Millie Lempriere an appealing Stephanos. • Mr.. George .Chafmeßs eierdsSd all i admirable, discretion in- his amusing, representation of the bibulous Glabrio, and Mr. E«y-' nolds Denniston was . a sturdy .Lucinius. The chief characteristic of the Philoderaus'of Mr: Aubrey Mallilieu was his,lisp.- Two minor: parts,-particularly well: played, were the Pavius of Mr. -Walter Hunt and the Servillius of Mr. Rupert Julian!'. The play was well mounted, .ana .the characters magnificently costumcd.'..The chorus singing was a . feature, and the' dancingof Miss Euiel Phillips and otters in the thirdact was distinctly good. "The Sign of the Cross" will be played again this opening.

" TEE SCAjELET PIMPERNEL." On. Wednesday-night there .will be a revival .of ..-"The" Scarlet Pimpernel,''! one of the ; many plays in-Tihich Mr. Knight' has made himself popular with the public. The Baroness Orczy's fascinating play will be staged again on Thursday, and on -Friday "An' Englishman's Home" will, await the criticism of a- Wellington, audience. For' Friday, has. been organised a "mili-. tary, night,when' the officers, non-oommi6-sione'd. officers,..'and? men •of the, various rogi'ments' are: expected to,; attend in ■ numbere. Pre-. coding "An, Englishnuui's Home," Mr. Julius Knignt will appear as' Jacques" Bernez in "The Sacrament"of' Judas," a*powerful, cmo-act play .with .a reputation/ . /' ,