"KISMET."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1565, 8 October 1912, Page 6

"KISMET."

A TALE OF OLD BAGDAD. BY THE OSCAR ASCIIE-MLY BRAYTON COMPANY. "Kismet," n jilay in three acts, and an epilogue by Edward Knoblauch. Cast— lliijj • Oscar Asche The Muezzin .' James I'lingc The luraaii Mahmucl Neville liroolc A Mufti ...„ ■ K. 11. JlacaLuiter Tile Guide Nnsir it. Lan Penny The Sheikh Jawan : Caleb Porter The ik'BKar Kasini Vernon Kelsall The' Caliph Abdallah Frederic Worlock The Wazir Abu Ilukr 11. It. Uignctt The Wazir Mansur Herbert Grimwood Knfui- (Mansur's Swordor) ... Norman ilurlo Afife (His Secretary) Alfred Brirtowe An Attendant of Jlansur ... Jlnyford- Ilobba The Gaoler Kutayt J. Fritz Jiussell ilarsinah (Ifojj's Daughter)... Lily Braytoii Mnrjis (Iler Nurse) liese-ic Major An Old Woman Florence M. Allen The Alraah (a Dancerl Zara Miskah (a Slave) Olive Noble Kut-al-Kulub ■ Francis YVctherall "Now, Hajj was a beggar, a liar—and a man!" So could the story of "Kismet" begin were the storyteller of old to figure once more among the diversions of tho public. But he is as dead as Nineveh, and the wonderful stories which they told to the primitive peoples after the muezzin's summons had been answered a fifth time, can only bo conjectured by the perusal of tho fascinating pages of "The Arabian Nights," or iu such a play as Edward Knoblauch has written and Mr. Oscar Asche has produced. For both must share equally the undoubted success of the production which wafted, with admirablo cunning, those people which filled every inch of space at the Opera House last evening, away to the odorous East. There are times when the regular playgoer recognises laxity in theatrical production in this part of tho world, little dreaming of the difficulties and expenso involved in the attainment of auything like perfection under existing conditions, but there can be no cavil at "Kismet." It is startling in the daring realism which is involved in the presentation of tho vital, palpitating pictures of strange life of the Bagdad of old. Not for one moment is the imagination allowed to wander, no effort is spared to keep it enchained, or from Hajj's first snore, as he lies asleep in the moonlight on the ancestral begging-stone beside the door of the Mosquo of Carpenters to the end of his wondrous day of days. For this play relates but one complete day in the beggar's existence, and the breath of incense which filled the auditorium beforo -tha curtains parted, tlio brilliant yet beautifully-harmonious colouring in the noisy bazaar, the burning sunlight in Marsinah's garden, the sensuous refinement of the fretted harem and the'picturesque Diwan of the love-sick Caliph were all elements that went to compose the beggar's'great, day,'and'in every detail 'there is. the thick, languorous atmosphere which appeals electrically to the dullest imagination.' ".-:. * Hajj, the. truculent, muscular .beggar, with a fine sonorous snuffle for Allah and his worshippers, and a tongue'that scourges all oblivious to his audacious sycophance, is a conscienceless ruffian with a raucous humour, and'the daring of one who values his life as next to nought. Twenty years previously, his wife had teen stolen, and his child murdered by the thief Jawan, and his one redeeming feature is his desire to havo his hand on his enemy's throat. To the mosque comes Jawan, now a Shiek of power and wealth, one day, ami, without knowing him, Hajj blesses Mm' in return for a purse of gold. Jawan reveals himself, and Hajj attempts his life; but' is frustrated by tho Shiek s guard. With tho purse of gold Hajj realises that his day has come. Ho deserts his stone and repairs to the busy bazaar where, by a rogue's trick, he succeeds in stealing a bundle of fine clothes, and returns to his'home, to delight his daughter Marsinah with the finery. There he is arrested, and taken before tho Wazir Mausur, -dispenser of justice, who is in danger of losing favour with tho young Caliph through the latter's discovery of defalcations in the Treasury. Mansur has only one chauco of saving his own life, and that is by bringing about the death of tho Caliph. Hajj is about to sufter the loss of his thieving hand, when the ■ Wazir recognises that, in the person of the prisoner, is the very one to do tho deed. Hajj is cajoled with promises of greatness-that Mansur will even marry' his daughter Marsinah, and the glitter of the chance fires him to accept the dread office. At the Caliph's Diwan, Hajj appears as a Moorish conjuror in distress, and, in the exhibition of his skill, attempts the life of the' young Caliph, who is saved from the assassin by his coat of mail. Hajj is thrown into prison to await death at dawn. There, in the same cell, is his ancient enemy Jawan, arrested as an enemy of the State. Word is received by Jawan that ho has been pardoned, but Hajj, breaking away from his chains, strangles the old man, and, assuming his place, gains his liberty and dashes at once to Wazir Mansur's 'harem to guard Marsinah from harm. There he meets the Wazir, drowns him in his own bath in the harem, and there he is discovered by tho Caliph, who has come to denounce tho Wazir as a traitor (Hajj having denounced him as the instigator of the attempt on tho Caliph's life), and there it is revealed to the beggar that the Caliph himself is tho lover of the fair Marsinalu So Hajj is merely banished from the city and ordered to make tho pilgriicago to Mecca for his misdoings. The epilogue pictures the wedding of the Caliph to Marsinah, and, finally, sees Hajj coil up in his-rags on the old stone, and fall asleep as the light of an . eventful day __ dies swiftly, leaving only a spot of moonlight on a distant minaret, and tho snore of the beggar to testify that man must sleep even as day must have its night. ' "Kismet" is gorgeously mounted, and , quaintly . set/ The atmosphere of the play is subtly maintained between the scenes by a moving panorama enacted beforo tableaux curtains. At times it is a procession of almost naked character types— water-car-rier, a Chinaman, grave nnd dignified, liouris behind lace veils, fruit sellers, eunuchs, etc. At other times the characters pursue the thread of the story in dumb' show. Again, a snake-charmer poses picturesquely, holding the crystal of fate. Then a dancer makes sinuous play in the enmphorous mists from smoking censers. It is all clever, subtle, and alluring. The scenery, too, is very fine, Mr. Joseph Harker has painted with rare fidelity and knowledge his vivid colour Bchemes. His turquoise skies, glaring white walls, glistening turrets, and an admirable discrimination in high and lowlights single him out as a master craftsman. His work is a feast for the eyo. "Kismet" is'admirably acted. Mr. Oscar Asche, who, figures as Hajj, meets every anticipation. Physically he fills the eye, and, added to his stature," there is a certain robustness of chnracter and voice which at once captures the sympathies. He makes Hajj a rollicking, dare-devil, clever, rogue with a graceless humour that is infectious, and a recklessness and bonhommie under all circumstances that captivates. Miss Lily Brayton, an acknowledged beauty of the English stage, succeeded at once in establishing herself a favourite with the big audience. Cast in a delicate mould, with black, starry eyes, and even features, set off by a pale complexion and crimson lips, she made a pretty picture as Marsinah, and acted throughout with clinging winsomeness. Her many prottiuesses wero displayed to perfection in the charming love scene witli the disguised Caliph, and afterwards where she laughs and dances lo the delight of her rascally father. , She gavo a taste of her dramatic equipment, too, in the harem scene. Mr. Herbert Grimwood as the Wazir Mansur proved himself an actor of no little power and subtlety. Ho correctly sensed the dramatic note in tho scene where he is sumnioned to give an account of his position to the Caliph, and aftorwnrds in the trial scene with Hajj, nnd later still in tho Diwan scene. As tlio Caliph, Mr. Frederick Wnrlick nctod with youthful charm and grace, and his pretty love speeches, rich with the idiom of Ihe exotic East, found in him an admirablo lover and elocutionist. Mr.' lan Penny made a picturesque guide of obsequious demeanour and oily enunciation. Another notably good performance wns that of Mr. Caleb Porter as tho Sheik .Tawau. Mr. Norman Harle, ns the ebony Swnrder of Mnnsur, cut a striking figure in Hie nude, and Mr. Alfred Bristowe infused colour into the role of the misshapen secretary. Miss BesMc Major, who is never olherwise than satisfactory, was rcinarknbly good as the fat nnd frowsy Xoi-ji« MnrJhiisacis* cfJJ&rii, and.

other shapely girls was a feature, as wns also the singing which preceded the parting of tin; curtain on each act. A capable orchestra, out of sight, supplied characteristic, music, under the baton of Mr. T. Wynne .rones. THE SEASON'S PROGRAMME. v riio full programme for the threo weeks' season is announced this morning. Owing to the enormous success of "Kismet," and the unpivcodentodly heavy advance booking, the management have decided to give two additional performances—a matinco on Saturday afternoon and a final production on Saturday night. The plans for these two performances will be opened at tho Dresden to-morrow morning at; II o'clock. Thus the wonderful Oriental play will be staged throughout this week until Saturday next exclusive. Then ensues a series of magnificent Shakespearean presentations, as follow:—Monday, October 11 and two following nights. "The Taming of the Shrew"; Thursday, October 17 and two following nights, and a, Saturday matinee, "The Merchant of Venice"; Monday and Tuesday, October 21 and 22, "The Merry Wives of Windsor"; Wednesday, October 21!, and three following nighty and a Saturday malhuo, "Othello." The plans for the entire season will bo opened at the Dresden on Thursday morning, at !) o'clock. Children will" bo admitted to the matinees at half-price. His Excellency the Governor will attend this evening's performance of "Kismet" at tho Opera House.