New Company, New Thriller

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 323, 7 April 1928, Page 20

New Company, New Thriller

More English Players INTERESTING STAGE FOLK Another company of English actors has arrived in Australia and will present some interesting plays. Percy Hutchison heads the companv, and his first production will be “The Joker,” another thriller. This piece will be followed by a French farce. “Mr. What’s-His-Xame,” written by Seymour Hicks, who played the lead in. London, and later by an American comedy, “The Laughing Optimist.” . _ Mr. Hutchison, who is chairman of the Actor Managers’ Association of Great Britain, has had a remarkaole record. He claims to have controlled 17 West End theatres at different times. He has also been lessee of two provincial theatres. The historic Theatre Royal in Xew York has been under his control for 16 years. Mr. Hutchison has looked after 200 touring companies during his career as a manager. He has been the featured actor on three visits to Africa, and on four visits to the United States and Canada. His decision to go on the stage was reached while he was a boy in Melbourne, where he spent six years. Mr. Hutchison gained his early stage experience under his uncle, Sir Charles Wyndham. He will play the title role in “The Joker.” The leading woman is Stella Francis. Seven “crook” plays in London have come within her 10 years’ experience of the English stage. Miss Francis has also appeared in many comedies, and was in “Charley’s Aunt” on the night before she sailed for Australia.

Townsend Whitling has been playing in London ever since he produced “The Farmer’s Wife,” and played the role of the farmer here. He is accompanied by his wife, Marie Ley. Important work has been done by Steuart West afid Watts Weston. Rayson Cousens has played in Canada, Africa, South America, Holland and Portugal, in addition to England. He used to take straight leading roles, but for some years has been a character actor.

One of the chief members of the company is Frances Dillon. She lias represented a number of Shakespeare’s heroines. She was leading woman with Sir Herbert Tree in Shakespearean festivals, and leading woman with Sir Frank Benson. Mary Brackiey and Joan Rogers are the other women in the company. Miss Brackiey is the ingenue. Miss Rogers has had much experience of repertory theatre work. She has played with the London and Liverpool companies.