“ MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ”

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1654, 22 January 1906, Page 2

“ MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ”

The presentation of “ Monsieur Beaucaire,” by Mr J. 0. Williamson's Dramatic Company on Thursday evening next, promises not only to be a great dramatic treat, but also a very brilliant spectacle. The story of Beaucaire, as readers of the interesting pages of the novel will readily admit, is one peculiarly of dramatic treatment. The book is a clever satire on the aristocratic ideas of a period when | gentle birth was almost the only passport, and ignoble qualities were no disqualification to the company of the elect. Bank was far more than the guinea stamp in the society painted in “ Beaucaire,” and it went ill with any man, no matter how honest and courtly, who had the “horrible insolance to mix with people of birth.” Still, there is always a great charm in the “ England of Olden Days in the ruffles and silks, the silver buckles, the wigs, and the graceful dances, and when t~ all this is added some little hint of th< chivalry from over the water, fron ! France, the enchantment is complete Miss Maud Jefferies, who appears as Lady Mary Carlyle, “the beauty oi Bath,” and Mr Julius Knight, as Monsieur Beaucaire, are said to be absolutely perfect in their parts. A leading Melbourne critic wrote of the production :—“ Admirably played, beautifully staged, and picturesque in story and setting, “Monsieur Beaucaire ” has has all the elements which go to make a completely successful production. The praises which have been bestowed upon the comedy have been lavish, but the first performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre showed that j they were abundantly deserved. After the first act the curtain had to be raised repeatedly, and the superb acting of Miss Jeffries and Mr Knight were recognised with pronounced en- ' thusiasm.” Play-goers are certainly under a measure of indebtedness to Mr Williamson for giving them the privilege of witnessing a production, which, both as far as the actual pourtrayal and the manner of the stage presentation are concerned, is said to far surpass anything yet witnessed on the dramatic stage of this country. The box plan is now open at Mr Miller’s.