“LES DANICHEFF.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5309, 1 April 1878, Page 2

“LES DANICHEFF.”

This is the title of a drama to be produced, for the first time ia New Zealand, at the Theatre Royal to-night, under the immediate supervision of Mr. li. Sothern, who has secured the sole right to produce it in the colonies. It is the joint production of Alexandre Dumas, jun., and the Russian Prince Kournioheff, better known in Paris by .his literary pseudonym of Pierre Corvin Newsky, who furnished all the incidents, outlines, and substance of the work, and M. Dumas, the younger, the dialogue. It was in Moscow that Mons. Corvin Newsky heard the recital of a story which struck him as. so singular that he resolved to put it into a play. It was that of the “ Danicheff the story of a count who fell in love with a serf girl, whom, to prevent her marriage with her son, the mother, a woman of la yiclle roche, forced to marry a groom. This man had been under obligations to the count for having saved his mother from the knout; and though he. married the girl perforce, never consummated the sacrament, so that he was therefore enabled to become a inonk, thus leaving his wife free to marry whom she pleased. Nowhere but in Russia could, such an incident have happened ; and those who criticise the plot of the play, may be surprised to know that it was once a fact, and that some of the personages to it are still living. The “Danicheff” had the unprecedented run cf a whole year at the Odhon Theatre, Paris, during the seasons of 1875-6, and was ’acknowledged to be the greatest success seen on the Parisian stage since 1860. Viscount Nuory having seen the play in Paris, conceived the idea of producing it in London, and accordingly made arrangements with.M. Masset to bring the entire Odeon Company over to the St. James’ Theatre, London, where the Parisian success was repeated. It was then played at the Union Square Theatre, New York, and throughout the United States, with equal eclat; and »t the Opera House, Melbourne, and the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, it enjoyed runs of five and six weeks to crowded bouses. The drama will be produced at the Theatre Royal to-night in an exceptionally fine manner, new and, beautiful scenery-having, been painted expressly for it. Mr. Sothern, Mr. Dillon, Mrs. Walter Hill, and Miss Edith Pender will sustain ..the .leading roles, and every member of the large company is required, to fulfil the requirements of the cast. A fine representation of a grand drama may confidently be expected.