THE SERVIAN TRAGEDY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10068, 9 February 1909, Page 1

THE SERVIAN TRAGEDY.

' Paris, December s.—Le Grand Guignol Theatre, "which long has been 1 anions lor one-act plays of horror, produced a thriller last night, and every person in the tiny theatre was held completely in thrall. The new piece is a historical drama and revives the tragedy of the murder of King Alexander and Queen Draga at lielgiadc. The persons who were implicated reappear under assumed names and the circumstances are related in detail. The drama is in two brief scenes. If unwinds itself with implacable violence and lea-.c.s tlie spectator absolutely breathless. In the first scene discontented officers have decided to force the King to abdicate and to repudiate the Queen, they hesitate about acting, however, until one of their number forces them to show their hands by denouncing them. All hesitation is swept away, and they decide that the King and Queen must be killed that very evening. The next scene takes place in a chamber of the palace, where King \ ladimir (Alexander) and Queen Wanda (Draga) discuss means of reducing tic hostility which surrounds them. 'lliey know it is time to act. but they must wait three days for the arrival ol a regiment which means safety tor them. Then one hears in the street the signals agreed upon by the conspirators—tlie singing of a prohibited song, the booming of cannon, and the organ in the cathedral. '1 he King • calls his devoted guard, only to discover ! that is has been changed. All the doors of the chamber are guarded, and it is impossible to escape. In great terror the sovereigns conceal themselves in a wardrobe. The conspirators break open the door and enter. Finding no one, they commence to quarrel among themselves, until they discover the wardrobe. They drag the King out and kill him with sahj c '.hrusts. Then, without mercy, they throw themselves upon Wanda, who curses them. After killing her they throw the bodysuit of a window. This atrociously realistic ■ drama, which is called "one Xnit Dillvrip," is admirably staged and acted. The movements on the stage are perfect in their suggestion. The sounds heard outside are wonderfully reproduced. Any one who wants to exercise the emotions of horror, terror and fright would do well to see the piece. Several other one-act dramas of more amusing character fill out the bill.