THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 27 April 1925, Page 10

THEATRE ROYAL.

VISIT OF THURSTON HALL. “SO THIS IS LONDON,” TO-NIGHT. / “So -This- -is- London,” . tho great • .’Aiigld'-tAiuwrichii Idughlhg success; m wl,b,,ii coi..ii, jLiihfstOxi 'Han, ana lhs tuZuua cbmpany," w.n appear at iuo "Theatre Raya* in.s evening, under u»o 'uireetiou of J. o. TfiiliainSOifj LifTT, is fouimod on tne nuppy inspiration or «u ouiico'quvs. one, a cqricature of tne pompous, -nn ins mar jsngliSn, as, imagmeu uy tne uncravelieu American; me other, a burlesque oi wie sen-saOsrieu Aiuerieaii, as visualised by me siaj--ai-lionici Xmglisnmeu. r>otn faisities are laugnmgiy exposed in tno exceptionally clever cunieuy. ThurstOii Han is nou only i a nne comedian; he is also a screen star of considerable fame, lx maiang people faugn at prejud.ee is quo way ot weakening it, men he will not only providq good tun, but is doing sonietnmg tow ards enecting in-, ternational amity. Tne first play tells of tlie silly prejudices which exist between Britisners and Americans, and of how two families wbre enlightened when Hiram Draper, an American t business man, visited England for the first time. It is not a revue, or a musical comedy—merely pure, unadulterated “straight comedy,” splendidly played and running along through its three acts with great fluency. Mr Thurston Hall is an American whoso commanding stage appearance and splendid acting will win. him many friends. A very strong supporting cast includes Leslie Barrie, Reginald Carrington, Kenneth Brampton, Herbert Leigh, Carleton Stuart, Monty Wolf, Felix Bland, Joan Cvossley, Madge North, Tlelenor Bevan, Georgina. Harvey. The leading lady is Gladys AVebster, who will be seen in her original role of "Mrs Hiram Draper,, played by her for over. twelve months in London.

The’ second play, to be presented tomorrow will ,be “The . Broken AATng,” ewhieb is "a, story of. - modern Mexico set in local colour. Mr Thurston Hall is the principal actor, and lie will be seen in his original role of Captain Innocincio dos' Santos, the Mexican renegade general. His performance is outstanding, though he has excellent, support. In this connection, special mention must be made of Gladys AVebster, who enacts the role of Inez' V ill era, the beauteous maiden of primeval passions, who pravs nightlv for a “Gringo” husband. If the advance booking is any criterion, fl’cn the Theatre Royal should be well filled to-morrow evening. The plans are at the Bristol. '