“SO THIS IS LONDON.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 8

“SO THIS IS LONDON.”

A SUCCESSFUL COMEDY. Six feet tall, broad in proportion, ! a firm chin! No! One would hard- ! ly think that women could twist him round their little fingers and make [ him obey their every wish. Act Thurston Ilall was the victim—but only in the movies. During his long screen career he was lending man to such sirens as Louise Glaum. Dorothy Dalton, Theda Bara and Ethel Clayton. In nearly every case he had to be the infatuated, unfortunate victim ol the vampire’s charms. But lie felt the lure of the footlights and is back on i the stage—a welcome visitor —for comedians of his subtle skill are rare. This famous artist is to commence his Christchurch season at the Theatre Royal next Thursday night, in the three-act corneay “So This Is London,'’ under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. “If you are on the films, the world sees you. But if you are on the stage you see the world.” That’s Thurston Hall’s philosophy, and it is one of the reasons why he is at present playing the leading role in “ So This Is London.” “ I love travelling, and with it 1 have all the satisfaction of hearing and seeing my audiences and of really lasing myself in a character. On the films one cannot do that. I have had the enjoyment of acting in every part of America, in every part of the British Isles, South Africa, Australia, and now in New Zealand, and after leaving here I will go to Canada and India. It would not be possible on the screen,” he exclaimed. However, from his screen experience he brings to Christchurch many novel ideas which are a great aid to stage production. When the movie hero thinks of the old home he has left behind, and of the grey-haired mother who waits patiently by the window for his return, the director invariably inserts a picture of the memory, technically known as a “ Hash-back.” Everyone liaa grown used to it on the screen, but it is a novelty on the stage. In “ So This Is London ” Thurston Hall uses it to advantage. Tbe play is mainly concerned with the prejudices of English and Americans—who have never seen each other, and so when the American parent is explaining to his family what he thinks the English people they are to visit will look like, the “ flash-back ” seme is used to illustrate it. The English father’s S rediction of the appearance of hi 3 merican visitors is similarly shown. Audiences do not fail to appreciate the innovation. This comedy has just terminated a successful season at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, playing to capacity business for six nights. “ So This Is London ” will be presen t«wl in Christchurch for five nights only. Tbe second and final production of Llio brief season will be another big London and New York comedy success, ‘‘The Broken Wing.” which ran for over twelve months at the Duke of York’s Theatre. London. Thurston Hall will be supported by an exceptionally powerful company. The box plans will open at the Bristol next Tuesday morning.