THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19460, 6 November 1928, Page 16

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST."

The man or woman who is stricken with the inferiority complex, and wno is a victim of fear, may learn a valuable lesson and enjov himself or herseir vastly at the same time by spending two-and-a-half hours with Hutchison and his brilliant company at the Theatre Royal, where "The ing Optimist" is being played to large houses. But he must needs .be careful in his following of the doctrine of the "■optimist," for such a philosophy as demonstrated so happily by Mr Hutchison, must be handled by. the right man—or woman, in the right pace. A delightful farce is "The Laugh" g Optimist," and it is a completely charming satire on the perpetual chase after social position and wealth, ana the misery that is said to follow in the train of such ambitions. The story is cleverly conceived and the dialogue abundantly furnished' with bnlnant flashes of wit, including some dreadrui, but none the less amusing, puns, Ihere is no obvious straining after ettecu. The laughs follow one another at intervals of a minute or so, and all are the result of what is known as polite comedy," that is, comedy of the subtle type. Each artist assisting Mr Hutchison plays an excellent role. The. story, briefly, is that of a man. who was once a noted author, but wll °T by his wife's constant search for wealth and position, has been reduced to producing "hack works." A friend of the family, a gentleman exuding selfconfidence, takes the despairing author in hand, and teaches him his own philosophy—"Fear is the devil: devil a fear have I." The head of the house uses his friend's advice to great advantage upon his wife and daughter with entirely successful results. "The Laughing Optimist" will be repeated to-night.

" THE LUCK OF THE NAVY."

This evening at the Theatre Royal the J. C. Williamson,. Ltd., management will present the eminont London actor-manager, Mr Percy Hutchison, and his English company of T comedy and dramatic artists in the spectacular comedy-drama, "The Luck of tho Navy." This play abounds in sensational and thrilling incidents Sn connexion with the strenuous times during the war period of

1915, but the dramatio situations are cleverly intermingled with genuinely humorous dialogue and scenes, which together make up a very delightful and intensely interesting evening's entertainment. "The Luck of the Navy," a story of gallant British sialormen, patriotic sentiments, and soulless spies, is a robust play that cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm in any British community. Mr Hutchison played it for eighteen months in London, whero it delighted hundreds of thousands of playgoers, including her Majesty the Queon, who complimented Mr Hutchison on the fin 0 performance of his company, all of whom'will appear in this ovening's presentation. Mr Hutchison, as Lieutenant Stanton, who carries important naval documents, essential to the happiness of a foreign spy organisation, gives, it is said, a manly and cheery characterisation of a young naval hero. Mr Victor Watts-Eston is said to be highly amusing as the midshipman, and Miss Frances Dillon is excellent as tho spy. Miss Stella Francis plays tho role of the heroine, and others in the cast are Mr B. Rayson-Cousens, Mr Townsend Whitling, Mr "William Laurier, Misß Mary Brackley, Miss Joan Rogers, Miss Dorothy Stanward, and Mr William Ralston. The naval uniforms are picturesque, and a feature of the production is tho dresses worn by the principal ladies. Only two performances can be staged of "The Luck of the Navy," which will be followed by "Mr What's His Name," and "The Joker."