THURSTON HALL BOX PLANS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18372, 4 May 1925, Page 7

THURSTON HALL BOX PLANS.

OPEN TO-MORROW MORNING. It is 6ome considerable time since Christchurch theatregoers enjoyed a visit from » J- C. Williamson comedy company, therefore the announcement that the> big firm are t0 present, for the first time in this city, at the Theatre Royal, commencing next Thursday evening, the famous international Btar comedian, Mr Thurston Hall, together with an exceptionally powerful comedy company, in the great Anglo-American laughing success. "So This is London," will be hailed with, delight by lovers of pure, undulterated comedy. Chewing gam, pug-nosed shoes, and noises through the nose—that's the overage Englishman's impression of an American. Spats, a monocle, pictures of ancestors, and an "awfully jolly accent" —that sums up the average American's views of an ,y nglishman. These misconceptions are said to be effectively shown to the audience in ' So This Is London," by means of two "flashback" scenes, rich in burlesque, and then the comedy proceeds to narrate the adventures and imoressions of an American business m?.n visitinr- London for the first time. "Mr Thurston Hail interprets the visitors moods in 3 brilliancy amusing manner," said a London critic. "He is a remarkably attractive actor. Rather he does not act —he lives the part. He is not the objectionable stage American we have long ago revolted against and wanted to kick, but a free and easy snecimen of the Rnnublic's best men. Hiram Draper in "So This Is London,' he achieves a notable success. If making people laugh at prejudice is one way of removing it. then Thurston Hall and 'So This _ls London' not only provide the funniest comedy in years, but also do a great service towards bringing about international understanding. This fine artist is not merely a welcome visitor—he is an ambassador with the amicable relations of Great Britain' und America as his objective." Christchurch theatregoers will see this production presented on the same' magnificent scale as in Sydnpy and Melbourne, where it achieved a remarkable success, running for over six months between the two cities, and in Wellington' recentlv it played to capacity houses for six 'niirhts, so Christchurch plavcoers can look for something out of the ordinary on Thursday evening, when this ranch-talked of comedy will be staged for the first time in this city. The company to support the star is said to be one of the strongest sent to the Dominion by the J. C. Williamson firm, and will include Misses Gladys Webster. Helenor Bevan, Madce .North, Leslie Barrie (their first appearance here), Joan Crossley, Georgina Harvey, Messrs Kenneth Brampton.- Carleton Stuart, Herbert Leigh, Felix Bland. Monty Wolf, and Roy Steyne. "So This Is London" will be staged for five nights only; The box plans will open at the Bristol to morrow morning. The second production of the season will be "The Broken Wing."