A RECORD RUN- 'LIGHTNIN'

Evening Star, Issue 17350, 12 May 1920, Page 7

A RECORD RUN- 'LIGHTNIN'

Thus the dramatic critic of the ' Australasian' of 'Lightnin',' tho new J. C. Williamson production that has cau9ed so distinct an interest in theatrical circles, and which will be presented here on Friday night at His Majesty's Theatre at 8 o'clock: " The celebrated American actor, Mr John D. O'Hara, lias entered upon the 15th week of 'Lightnin'' in this city, in which charming piece the leading" and name part is of course played by Mr O'Hara. Anything above 10 weeks to good business is a very satisfactory career" for a play in Melbourne, and when that time is exceeded, as in this case, one is apt to look for the reason, It is plain we need not look beyond the star himself to find that h-e- has the same quality that is so rare, and was so conspicuous in his great oountryman and predecessor, Josenh Jefferson : the art of stage naturalism, if that is* not a contradiction in terms. Natural acting, if it is not to degenerate into tameness and ineffectiveness, must bo exaggerated; but the exaggeration must only be sufficient to make it seem natural when viewed from the audience. This estimate of the amount of exaggeration necessary was the secret of Jefferson's success;" it is the secret of John o"Hara's. His performance of the somewhat to be chided but entirely lovable Bill Jones ('Lightnin") is a really wonderful piece of stage portraiture, without flaw cr blemish—a' splendidly-cut cameo of high-class dramatic art, the remembrance of which should live in the memory for ever." An especially fine cast Tias been secured, including 1 Messrs Robert T ns, Fred Esmelton. John Beck, and Diana Wilsonall from prominent New York theatres—in association with Messrs lan Maclaren. Thomas Lloyd, Fred Cambourne, H. H. Wallace. David Drayth, Arthur Cornell, and Edwin Lester, and Misses Lizefte Parkes. Marion Marcus Clarke, Alma Rock Phillips, and 1 Kathleen Lawrence. The box plans for 'Lightnin" are now open at The Bristol.