GREAT LAUGHING SUCCESS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18369, 30 April 1925, Page 7

GREAT LAUGHING SUCCESS.

"SO THIS IS LONDON." On Thursday 'evening next, at the Theatre Royal, J.C. Williamson, Ltd., will present, for the first time in Christohurch, one of the greatest comedians of the present day, in the person of Mr Thurston Hall, who, together with a company of English, American, and Australian artists, will commence a nine nights' season, during which time they will be seen in two of the latest and greatest London and New York comedy successes, "So This is London" and "The Broken Wing." "So This is London," the opening production on Thursday night, is said to be a humorous and ingenious comedy designed with the sole purpose to create laughter in a perfectly legitimate manner, out of the often inaccurate impressions Americans form of the English and vice versa, with many comical exaggerations of both types to point the absurdity of the extremely narrow views that some people on both sides of the Atlantio hold. The thesis is. already new to New Zealand audiences. The play hits hard at some of the dearest English prejudices, and is one of those wholesome tonics calculated to break down the barriers of misunderstanding that so often arise between peoples and nations. The comedy throughout is said to be all piping good fun, and is one that induces spontaneous gusts of laughter right through; the many clever situations are never forced, and it gains considerably through being most admirably acted. "Now and again America sends us a good comedian," said the critic of the "Dominion," in Wellington recently. "Mr Thurston Hall is one. He exudes a pleasant, unctuous, self-satisfied good humour, allied to an ingratiating personality; and his ease of manner, his fruity laugh, and the inflectional command he has over his voice bespeak great natural gifts' and experience. 'So This Is London' gives one a clear understanding' as to the manner in which Thurston Hall has acquired popularity in such large measure. A great artist, he hits the American to the life, and his infectious laugh captivates everyone. The artist has a wonderfully talented company supporting him, and the admirable manner in which this clever romance is interwoven with the comedy gives the all-desired effect to the play." The leading lady with the company is Miss Gladys Webster, who will be seen in her original role, that of Mrs Hiram Draper. "So This. Is London" will be staged for the first five nights of the season. The second and final production will be "The Broken Wing.'* The plans for "So This Is London," will open at The Bristol next Tuesday morning.