“SO THIS IS LONDON.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19465, 28 April 1925, Page 3

“SO THIS IS LONDON.”

BOX TLANS THIS MORNING. The box plans for the two bier comedy productions, "So This Is London" find "The Broken Wing," to lie staged at I/if, Majesty's Theatre, for tliree nights each, by the famous comedian, Thurston Hal!, and J. C. Williamson's new comedy company, commencing on Thursday evening next, will open at the Bristol this morning. In the opening piece, "So This Is London," Mr Hall interprets a rich American, visiting London to buy the interests of a British manufacturing company headed by Beauchamp; Draper is p shrewd, liumo'rous fellow—consciously humorous, except when it is a question of deriding English conservatism as matched against American progress. Mr Itesinald Carrington plays a pompous, 'lictatorial, middle-aged Englishman, knowing even less, if possible, about America than Diviper knows about England, and accordingly just as pronounced and prejudiced in his views. The one part is really as important as the other to the comedy. In the first act—in the Draper suite, at the Ititz, London —Mr Hall's chief and most amusing work is done—in Draper's derision nt English methods, in his indignation when his son Junior declares his attachment for an English girl - Bsauchnmp's daughter, Klinor —and in this complacency when Junior announces how he has dealt with Honeycutt, representative, of the British manufacturing company; all this is said to be capital comedy, which keeps the audience in a ripple of merriment all the evening. In the second act—at the Beauchamp home — Sir Percy is revealed in full authority, but authority challenged speedily by Klinor, who Jiorrifies him by her announcement, that she is in love with the young American. In the first act a clever touch is lent by a brief scene illustrating Draper's idea of the English father, mother, and daughter—in the second a similar scene shows Sir Percy's notion of the three Americans. In these two scenes the coniet'y is at its liveliest, ani the acting of Miss Joan Crossley as Lady Beauchamp, of llclonor Devan as Elinor, of Gladys Webster as Mrs Hiram Draper, and of Leslie Barrie as Junior, should delight Dunedin audiences. There is much bright ani breezy comedy in the third act, when the Englishman and American meet, for th- 1 first time and realise each other. In fact, Mr Tntirstou Hall and Mr Kegina'd Carrington, in parts adapted to their methods, are wholly amusing throughout the performance. The second piece on Monday night next will be another successful comedy, ""the Broken Wing," in which Mr Thurston Hall appears in his origin-!.! role, that of Captain Innocincio dos Santos, and if reports spe»k truly, this play should play to capacity houses during its throe nights' run. This play is an amusing comedy drama about Mexico. There are plenty of thrills and plenty of laughs. The scene is laid in the land of O. Henry, and the conventions are non-existent. Miss Gladys Webster, the leading lady of the company, will be seen in her original role of Inez Villera, played by her for man? months in London and New York. The two stars will be (supported by the same company as appeared in Melbourne and Sydney, and more recently in Wellington, whore both plays achieved an enormous success.