ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 142, 20 May 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

“SO THIS IS LONDON."

A CLEVER PRODUCTION.

In tho minds of tho many who attended at tho Opera House last night to witness tho presentation of “So This Is London,” a repetition of tho title words for a long time to come will conjure up a conception of a delightful travesty on tho distorted viowa often hold by tho Britishers and tho American of each other. That is the theme of tho play, which throughout is redolent of clover and clean humour, both verbal and in tho wealth of piquant situations. In brief, tho production revolves about the lovo affair of Elinor Beauchamp, the charming young daughter of Sir Percy and Lady Beauchamp of England, and Hiram Draper, junr., the handsome son of w wealthy shoe manufacturer in tho United States. Each family regards the country and customs of tho other with a degree of contempt and amusement which threaten to bring matrimonial overtures almost to an impasse but for a skilful bit of scheming by Lady Amy ‘.Duckworth, a friend of tho Beauchamps, though all American born —a fact not generally known to her acquaintances. Tho Draper family proceed to where Hiram Draper, senr., intends buying a shoe factory which, unknown to him. is owned by the father of the English girl whom his son proposes (to tho horror of his parents) to wed. From the moment when Draper, senr., arrives in the great English metropolis and says : “So this is London: now I understand why they make the ocean so wide,” the rise and fall of the curtain punctuates a riot of healthy hilarity. Most risible of ail aro the scenes where tho respective British and American families dross, act and speak as each thinks tho other does—they aro masterpieces of the farcical. Then thero aro the family arguments when the young people put their case to their parents—amusing in tho highest (legroe—yet pointing a moral in the complete mutual appreciation by the young people of the best on both sides of the Atlantic. The finale is" a happy re-union and tho reconciliation of ail parties. Mr Thurston Hall as Iliram Draper, senr.. is, of course, cast in the master role. His characterisation was such as to prevent a single dull moment while he faced the footlights. As the shrewd Yankee and self-mado man who has a wholesome contempt for England’s out-of-date business methods, ultraconservative aristocracy and drab capital, ho satisfied fully—lived the part in fact. His art was never strained. While there may be, perhaps, some who deemed Mr Reginald Carrington’s characterisation of Sir Percy Beauchamp, an Englishman who loves his king and country above all, a trifle exaggerated, it was, nevertheless, a cameo of histrionic talent-, and was essential in the author’s scheme. Tho stiff aloofness of the English Lord from “those creatures across the water” was excellently portrayed and sustained. One of his most successful moments was tho “scene” where ostensibly a broken man on receipt of the news, he learns that his daughter has dared to confess an admiration for America and worst of all for an American. Miss Ilelenor Bevan ag Elinor Beauchamp infused delightfully the spirit of a happy English girl unfettered by tho conventions and narrow views of her parents. Leslie Barrio typified the role of an energetic, carefree young American with only one desire in tho world—to marry Elinor. The role was exacting, but it was enacted with a fresiiness that stamps Mr Barrio as a very clever actor. His paralysing onslaught of American salesmanship and hustle against a representative of Sir Percy was splendidly done. A woman of the world, practical and kindly, is Lady Amy Duckworth, and as that personality Madge North made the role all that it could bo. Miss Joan Crossley as Lady Beauchamp was regarded by most of thoso presont as one of the truest characters on tho stage —she typified with rare conviction tho refined, gentle natured wife who adored her husband with his well fixed ideas. Miss Gladys Webster as Mrs Hiram Draper, and Mr Kenneth Brampton as Alfred Honeycutt, the agent of Sir Percy, ably supported tho principals. Messrs Carleton Stuart as a flunkey at tho Ritz, Felix Bland as a butler, and Herbert Leigh as Lady Ducksworth’s butler filled the minor roles of tho production with a touch of variety and humour in keeping with tho general tone of the entertainment. “So This Is London” can fairly bo said to have both amused and succeeded in pointing its moral to Palmerston North theatre-goers.

RETURN OF THURSTON HALL.

IN “THE BROKEN WING.”

Palmerston, theatregoers -will ho pleased to learn that tho distinguished international star comedian, Mr Thurstor. Hall, and his clever company, who made such a wonderful success in “So This Is London,” are to return on Monday night next, when they will be seen in what is 6tated to be one of the most amusing and most thrilling plays staged in the Dominion for many yearß, “Tho Droken Wing.” Excellent comedy, good acting, plenty of surprises, and an abundance of colour is said to mark the production of “The Broken Wing,” which has proved a wonderful success everywhere it hiss been presented. “It is quite one of the best tilings of its kind that has been played for a long time,” said the critic of tho “Dominion” in Wellington recently, and it is not surprising that frequent bursts of laughter punctuated the progress of the play as it developed from otio unexpected complication to another, finally culminating in a etill more unexpected—and delightful—climax." Ae Captain Santos, the swaggering, bullying head of a ragged rabble of an army, Mr Thurston Hall is stated to give an excellent character study, "it Iso, Miss Gladys Webster, as Inez, gives a charming performance of the very untutored daughter of tho desert, and in the last scene is said to be very effective. In addition to tho company that appeared in “So Tin's Is London,” Miss Georgina Harvey and Mr Monty Wolf will appear in this production. Tho box plan is now on view at Oates Music Shop.

PALACE,

“GOING UP” AND VAUDEVILLE. Thrills and laughter run a dead heat in “Going Up,” which has been adapted from tho famous musical comedy success. The leading character, quaintly named Robert Street, is played by Douglas Mac Lean, and is one of tho big laughs of the screen. This character gives the screen’s outstanding polite comedy star tho best role of his photoplay career. Tho MacKinnon Boys are establishing themselves firmly in the hearts of the Palace patrons. Their act is clean clover and entertaining. A news, a fable nnd good music by tho Palace orchestra help to make this theatre popular.

KOSY.

“THE SATIN GIRL.” “The Satin Girl,” this Master Picture at the Kosy Theatre, is splendid entertainment. Mabel Forrest is the star and the featured leading man is Norman Kerry, who was seen in “Merry-Go-Round,” “The Acquittal,” etc. He is tho regular Robert W. Chambers type .of hero, Murie MacDermott is a strange figure who hovers in' tho background and makes Mabel do all sorts of dreadful things she wouldn’t otherwise undertake. Who is the Satin Girl ? These are questions patrons will bo keen to find out —and will have them answered at the finish of this clever story.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

HOLLYWOOD ON SCREEN “Hollywood,” tho big feature on the bill at the Paramount this week, was produced at a great, cost and practically every star of note in the film world to-day plays a part in this remarkable screen offering by Paramount. The story deals with the fortunes of a young gill who desires to become a movie star. Of the difficulties and trials that must bo met in this ambition, the story is in a large measure made up. Good entertainment is provided in tho second attraction “Forduge”— a complete and fascinating production showing the ac-

tivities of tho Ford Motor Co. together with descriptive scenes of the company’s tremendous plant and the manufacture of their cars. The Paramount select orchestra, under the direction of Mr 9 Law, will provide tho musical support in the usual delightful manner. The box plans are at Swallow’s.