WELCOME STRANGER.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18351, 15 September 1921, Page 2

WELCOME STRANGER.”

WILLIAMSON'S NEW PLAY TO-NIGHT. It is seldom that two such sterling character actors as John D. O'Hara and Jules Jordan are associated in the presentation of modern comedy-drama. These players head J. C Williamson's new company which will commence a five nights' season at His Majesty's Theatre to-night with "Welcome Stranger" and "Ihree Wise Fools," two stage successes which have enjoyed long runs in England. America, and Australia. Original in conception and themes, both pieces are excellent vehicles for O'Hara and Jordan to display characterisations which cannot fail to bo attractive to theatre patrons. The plays have the novelty of freshness to recommend them, being' delightful comedies with just sufficient of the dramatic element in their make up to give the leading players scope for sound noting. The first presentation of the season is "Welcome Stranger." The stranger who comes to the little New England town in the first act is a Hebrew. The townspeople, including the Mayor, detest Hebrews, and are anxious to keep him out. "The stranger is refused admission to the only hotel, but finally compromise? by sleeping; in the hall' on a mat with the legend "Welcome" inscribed upon it. Later he goes into partnership with the village genius and ills> couple, in the course of extremely humorous episodes, win the favour of the townspeople "Welcome Stranger," written by Aaron Hoffman, a Jew, expounds the Hebrew character and ideals. It does not boast, it does not apologise, but treats the nature of the chos-en people honestly and interestingly in light drama, Jules Jordan, as the "Stranger" Solomon, is frankly Jewish _in his characterisation nnrl h an illustration of the advantages of selecting types in theatrical ins'.cad ol orating them. John D. O'Tluv needs r.o introduction to playgoers lor. his quaint characterisation o'f "Lightnin' Bill Jones" will be still fresh in the memory. In "Welcome Strannw." O'Hara has an innocuous role. The character he impersonates is a nice, gentle soul, who might start a religious rcvivial or a campaign of faith healing were he not so busy with modern inventions. These two players have as a supporting company such well known stage favourites as Frederick Eamolton, who is also producer of the plays, Robert, Toms, Dorothy Scaoombe, Margaret, Sutcliffe, Mattio Brown, Arthur Cornell, and E. Fine Bush. "Three Wise Fools," which is by Austin Strong, a grandson of Robert Louis Stevenson, is the second selection for the season. In the piece, John D. O'Hara plays the part of a crusty old bachelor, and presents a striking characterisation of a man of kindly and genial % nature trying to convince* his friends, 'by the adoption of a fearsome front, that he is really a very terrible pSrscm. The subtleties of licht and shade makes his character as finely limned as "Lightnin'." With puch fare the success of the local season should he assured. The box plans are at the Bristol.