O’HARA AND THE PRINCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18350, 14 September 1921, Page 2

O’HARA AND THE PRINCE

The chief event of John D. O’Hara's last New Zealand tour, m his own estimation, was the honour of an introduction to the Prince of Wales. It was during the football match at Wellington between a j'oeal team and returned soldiers that the Prince, after receiving the acclamations of the people in the open, ascended a dais in the grandstand. 'lhe American actor, though in “a separate' compartment,” as ho termed it. was seated within some six feet of his Royal Highness. No one knows how or' why it happened, unless the Prince was attracted by the celebrated artist’s resemblance in private life to ideal portraits of “The Vicar of Wakefield,” but after a little while Mr O’Hara was informed bv an A.D.C. that the Prinrc wished to shake hands with him. “I ■ found his Royal Highness an unaffected and sympathetic conversationalist,” remarked the actor; “he said he thought he knew my face 1 directly ho saw'me, and that ho was sorry that official duties would prevent his attendance at “Lightnin’ ” ; hoped ho might manage to see mo in my new piece in Sydney, and then questioned mo -a little about my career. Altogether, in a princely manner, ho made me feel interested and at home ns few young men of his age could do.” J. C. Williamson. Ltd., announce a return of John D. O’Hara, who will on this occasion be associated with Jules Jordan in two brilliant comedies. The first will be “Welcome Stranger,” a play which has had a very successful run in Australia. It is from the pen of Aaron Hoffman, and is produced by arrangement with Mr Sim H; Harris, of New’ York City. John D. O’Hara is in the cg-st, and an audience knows that whonhis name is at the head of a programme it may with confidence book its scats. In “Welcome Stranger” ho plays the part of Clem Bovis, and it is his quiet and very fine natural acting that brings the role of Isadora Solomon, filled by 'Jules Jordan, into the sharpest silhouette. The one character is a foil for the other, and the combination has resulted in the present very successful production. Jules Jordan is an actor who has studied the foibles of the Jewish race, and brought them to a fine art. He is a great character actor, never at a loss for n quick rerdy, diplomatic in his numerous thrusts, and is a most able entertainer. Throughout the play, as Isodore Solomon, from his first appearance in the lobby of an hotel in a little New’ England town, where he arrives as a stranger on a very stormy night, until the' time when he blossoms forth as a modern Croesus and with his wealth creates an up-to-date city for the benefit of his fellow townsmen, he is constantly bringing out new and generous traits in the Hebraic character. By his sympathy, understanding, appreciation of worth and fair dealing, albeit with strict attention to the cash-box; Isadora Solomon climbs into the hearts of his audience as he climbed into greater and greater prominence amongst his townsmen. Between Jordan and O’Hara the audience is kept at laughing point throughout the evening. “Welcome Stranger” will bo followed by “Three Wise Pools,” which has a vein of sentiment and tender touches, with clever characterisation and many dramatic moments. Thn season will commence

at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow. The box plans for both productions are now oppn at the Bristol.