ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 18 November 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE ROYAL DIVORCE." By Telegraph.—Special to News. Christchurch, last night. The production of "A Royal Divorce" by Julius Knight and Company has been received with the greatest enthusiasm, the famous battle of Waterloo tableau creating absolute sensation. The company is to appear in New Plymouth oil 3rd December.

Julius Knight is without a doubt the most popular dramatic actor the New Zealand and Australian stage has ever known, and his name at the head of a, company is always a barometer for a, full house. Therefore the fact that ho is to appear in a magnificent production of the famous Napoleonic military dramatic spectacle at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, on Thursday, December 3rd, will doubtless create quite a little excitement amongst local playgoers. It was as Napoleon that Julius Knight made his first, if not his greatest, success in Australia, 1 and that his representation of the "Man of Destiny" is as popular to-day as it was ten years ago was demonstrated in Sydney and Melbourne recently. On both occasions the Napoleonic drama was staged for a limited number of nights, but so successful in both cities was it, that although its seasons were prolonged, it was taken oil' while hundreds were still nightly failing to gain admission, and the scenes of wonderful enthusiasm created by the stirring battle tableaus representing the retreat from Moscow, the battle of Waterloo, and alone on the Rock at St. Helena are without a prcedent in the annals of the Commonwealth stage. Of course, special interest has been infused in the present revival of "A Royal Divorce" because of the fact that many of its most important incidents take place in the vicinity of the places where the great conflict is at present raging between the brave Allies and the Germans. The 'success achieved by Mr Knight as Napoleon is due to a large ex- I tent to the fact that he presents us with a characterisation of exactly what we ourselves imagined the "Man of Destiny" to be like. Since the first New Zealand representation of "A Royal Divorce" we have witnessed quite a number of artists in tile role of Josephine, the unfortunate Empress who allowed Napoleon to divorce her in order that i he might marry the Princess Marie Louise, but it has been said in Australia that Miss Irene Browne, the brilliant young London artist, is miles ahead, of her predecessors. Those who have alrady witnessed Miss Browne's company can well understand her success. The present production of "A Royal Divorce" will be staged with new scenery, dresses and effects, and over 70 specially selected artists will be concerned in the revival, including a full operatic chorus and orchestra. The box plans will be opened at Collier's on Tuesday, December Ist, at 8 o'clock. A queue will be formed from 7 a.m. EMPIRE PICTURES. Walter Harben's remarkable dream entitled "A deal with the Devil," was shown last night at the popular picture house. Walter Ilarben, a young and ambitious American student, has a dream. Li quaint figure, mysterious and earthly, approaches him, muttering: "If you will give me ten years of your life, 1 will give you power to diagnose any disease, and to fortell a patient's recovery or death. I will appear to you at the head of a patient in case of death, anil at the foot in case of recovery.". After going through many interesting performances Walter awakes. He 'has learned the penalties and follies of ambition. He becomes to his comrades and shouts, "Let us be merry while we are young. I know now that fame and wealth are not life's greatest gifts." j "The Silver Snuff Bos" and "The Detective's Desperate Chance" are two very iflne dramas, "Pathe's Gazette" is full of the latest news, and the comedies are well up to the public requirements. This programme will be screened finally to-night. I

"SAN TOY." | ■ The New -Plymouth Operatic Society have again been disappointed over the theatre, and consequently have had to extend their dates for the production of ''San Toy" to Tuesday and Wednesday, • December 8 and 0, when they hope to be able to keep fait!) with the public of New Plymouth. In the meantime Stratford has been booked for Thursday, November 26, when the public there will have the first opportunity of viewing the i new and brilliant scenery, and witness-1 ing this bright and pretty opera by this talented combination j