BIG LAUGHING ATTRACTION

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18371, 2 May 1925, Page 15

BIG LAUGHING ATTRACTION

♦ -—-, ... . "SO THIS IS LONDON."

The big,, bright, and ! breezy three-act comedy, '"Sii. This ,is London," which just terminated a phenomenal season at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, is to be. staged for the 1 first time' in Christehnrch »t the Theatre .Royal, next Thursday night, by the celebrated actor, on" both stage and screen, Thurston Hall,' together with an exceptionally powerful J. C. ;Williamson, supporting company." The piece proved, ft'"wonderful success, in Australia, finning for : 12 'weeks in Melbourne and 14 weeks in Sydney. On its first representation in. Sydney tho cjitic of the "Sun" wrdt'e: "Mr'Thurston Hall got a rousing "welcome from the large Theatre Royal audience on Saturday evening,, when he made his first appearance in^ the much-talked-of comedy,'l go This is London. The screen is a good pfess agent, and the breezy,! forceful comedian was' already known-to many, in the audience. Thore is plenty of action and movement in the bright comedy,, "which is first a play and secondly a piece of propaganda. Smart lines , are provided, in its three acts for the principals, and Thnrstqn Hall carries the clever story along with plenty of pace by the sheer momentum of his engaging personality. The "accomplished acting " this fine artist as Hiram Draper, admirably backed up by Reginald Carrington, who nwkes tho running for him in the' character of Sir Beauchamp, his ; British 'opposite number, gets the bright comedy- home a winner. Naturally, Thurston Hall on the stage makes an infinitely warmer, deeper, aJid moro vivid impression than his shadow-picture makes on the screen: The ease and finish of his actins stamp him as an accomplished artist in the portrayal of figures in any comedy of character and manners. His touches are sure as well as swift. He displays a quiet mastery of apt gesture and eloquent facial expression. Reginald Carrington does excellent work as Sir Percy, the slow, domineering, narrowminded, egotistical, tyrannical head_ of lus bouse. Tho impersonation shows that this fine actor is a sound observer. Although the portrait is a caricature it isb» s ed on insight and experience. LesUe Barne made a frank and dashing young lover ui the P»rt ster^wh™madVher 'tot apArance,. revealed an excellent sense vith Madle* Iforth gave a convincing portrait of nifiet tactfol'- gentlewoman. Masses Joan s&Xft safe Kenneth Brampton,J 'A" play is comedies, and should b6tPOP d {or fiv# nJ|fhta n Tbe second production of tho season j vU The e bor b plans k wtll' open at The Bristol next Tuesday morning. j