Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 267, 15 November 1904, Page 4

Theatre Royal.

MR J. C. WILLIAMSON'S DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Amongst the many fine artist? in Mr Williamson's London Druitratiic ■Company, who will be seen here for the first time on Thursday and Fri- ( day evenings next, the' two who stand out most, prominently are Miss Maud Jeffries and Mr Julius Knight. This is Miss Jeffries' first visit to New Zealand, but her second to Australia, as she came out as leading lady to Mr Wilson llarrett on his first visit to that country some six years ago, when she appeared in Melbourne and Sydney only. Though an American by birth she' has spent most of her stage life in England, and has for some years been recognised as ono of its foremost actresses, having created 'the principal characters of several of the most important London productions, the first of which was "Mercia" in "The Sign of the Cross." Numbers have played this part since, but in it Miss Jeffries has admittedly no eojual. She is also gifted with great personal attractions, and is looked upon as one o( the most handsome women on the. stage. Those who have seen her portraits can readily understand this. Patrons will have full opportunity of judging her ability in the forthcoming productions, as in "Monsieur Beaucairc" she appears as Lady Mary Carlyle, and in " A Hoynl Divorce" ns the Empress .Josephine. This is Mr Knight's second visit to New Zealand, but 0 n the previous occasion he only played in the four chief centres. The success of thnt toiir, in a groat measure duo to Mr Knight's powerful portrayals in "A Royal Divorce," "Tho Sign of the Cross," and "Tho Prisoner of Zenda'' 'has up to the present not been beaten, a record having been put up in each city. Hint was some five years ago, but good as' he was then, the critics agree that in the ' interim, during which he has been appearing in London, his acting has even improved, and his unequalled popularity is beyond question, as he is the greatest favourite ever associated with tho dramatic stage in these colonies. On the following occasions he will appear in the name 1 part of "Monsieur Hcaucaire" and as Napoleon in "A Uoynl Divorce." ' It was in the latter character as much as Marcus in "The Sign of the Cross" that he created so much enthusiasm on his former tour, but as Monsieur Reaucaire ho seem to surpass all his previous work. A leading Melbourne critic says : "Despite the great excellence of his impersonation of a variety of parts, it cannot but be affirmed that as Mon- ' sieur Hcaucaire he eclipses all his previous efforts. It would be impossible to over-praise his conception and execution of the charactt;, it is so consistent, so admirable in detail, so convincing in general effect, and withal so picturesque, that any improvement seems beyond imagination."