MR JULIUS KNIGHT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8495, 26 July 1907, Page 5

MR JULIUS KNIGHT.

"RAFFLES." A large and enthusiastic audience welcomed the return to Masterton of that popular actor, Mr Julius Knight, in the Town Hall, last evening. Mr Knight, who returns at the head of a company under the management of Mr J. C. Williamson, commenced a two nights' season with "Raffles," the Amateur Cracksman. The piece is a drama of a type out of the ordinary run, which keeps the audience in a high pitch of expectation throughout. The author has certainly good material to work with. Briefly, the story of the drama is that of a society man who at night time is the most daring and accomplished cracksman in London. He falls in love with a girl, and at her home he burgles a safe and captures a would-be burglar of the common or ordinary variety, but a woman who had somehow got into his past, and who loved him, :and a clever American detective, bring about his downfall in the end. "Raffles" adds to his criminal tendency a large-hearted generosity and a determination never to profit by his exploits, and his career, up to the time of his sensational escape, furnishes dramatic interest throughout and keeps an audience on the qui vive of expectancy. As •"Raffles" Mr Julius Knight had in his part several opportunities for doing brilliant work, and he did so. His interpretation of the intense scenes was excellent; in fact, his study of the character throughout was forcible and powerful. He represented the character as it should to the minutest detail. Next in order of merit was Mr Hubert Willis' presentation of Curtis Bedford, the American detective. Mr Willis had a good grasp of the character, and was equal to its denands. Mr HaAy Plimmer's "Crawshay," an ordinary type of burglar, was a splendid character study, hisac'ing being particularly fine in the third act. As Harry Manders, a friend of "Raffles," Mr H. J. Bentley had a good part, to which he did full justice. Miss Elbert Orton, as Mrs Vidale, the woman who knew "Raffles'" past, was good throughout, notably in the last act, when she entreated "Raffles" "not to leave England alone" as he intended to do. Miss Marion Grey gave a finished interpretation of the character of Gwendoline Conron, her emotional acting in the last act being particularly fine. The other characters which are worthy of mention are Lord Amersteth (Mr Leslie Victor), Lox'd Crowley (Mr Reynolds Denniston), and Lady Melrose (Miss May Godfrey). The dressing of the piece was splendid, and the general mounting was excellent. "BRIGADIER GERARD." To-night the company will make their farewell appearance here in the romantic comedy "Brigadier Gerard," from the pen of the well-known author, Sir Arthur Conan D( y'r. A contemporary says:—"The character of Captain Gerard, played by Mr Julius Knight, is a many-sided one, and the role can only be properly filled by an actor of versatile talents. These Mr Knight possesses, so gives a fine representation of the young soldier, with a grain of folly in his bravery, full of impetuosity, quick in quarrel, and his hand ever ready to draw his sword in his Lcnour, or that of his Emperor. The part is skilfully drawn, and well acted. The new company appear in this" play to their best advantage. The piece is well mounted, and the dresses are good, a touch of realism being gained by dusty and travel-stained uniforms when the situation renders it necessary."