PERCY HUTCHISON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 445, 29 August 1928, Page 14

PERCY HUTCHISON

HIS MAJESTY’S NEXT WEEK Mr. Percy Hutchison, the eminent London actor-manager, who will make his first appearance in New Zealand under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at His Majesty’s Theatre, on Wednesday evening next, is a prominent member of the British Navy League of Great Britain, Canada and South Africa, and was recently presented with the Special Service decoration by the Marquis of Linlithgow on* behalf of that organisation. He is also a prominent Rotarian and a foundation member of the York (England) Club. Mr. Hutchison will make his debut here in the hilarious three-act comedy, “The Laughing Optimist,” which was produced by Mr. Hutchison in London, where it ran for over 12 months, and it will be followed during a season of 12 nights by “M.r.-What’s-His-Name” and “The Luck of the Navy.” Mr. Hutchison will be supported by his complete company from the Garrick and Queen’s Theatres, London, thus duplicating in Auckland the English productions of these successful plays. “For an almost unheralded play, by an almost unheralded company,” wrote a Sydney critic, ‘The Laughing Optimist” first performed at the Criterion Theatre on Saturday night, was an outstanding triumph.” The play is based on the idea• of “physician, heal thyself.” The optimist infects all his friends with his cheery confidence until the girl he wants decides she will marry another man; and then he becomes a pessimist of the deepest dye. The humour of the play is said to be screamingly funny, and it is also clean and wholesome.

The box plans for “The Laughing Optimist,” which can only be staged for a limited number of performance#, will be opened at Lewis R. Eady's on Monday morning next.