Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 1 September 1928, Page 14

Round the Shows

“THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST” BOX PLANS OPEN ON MONDAY Mr. Percy Hutchison, one of London’s most popular and most talented comedy stars, will make his first appearance' in New Zealand, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at His Majesty’s Theatre, on Wednesday night next in the delightfully humorous and very original comedy triumph, “The Laughing Optimist,” which has proved a record-breaker in London, America, Canada and Australia. The approaching season must necessarily be limited to 12 nights, but during that period will also be staged “Mr. What’s-His-Name” and “The Luck of the Navy,” in both of which Mr. Hutchison and his very excellent supporting company achieved outstanding successes in Sydney and Melbourne. The fact that Mr. Percy Hutchison’s productions have proved so successful is due firstly to the brilliant acting of Mr. Hutchison himself and he has taken care to surround himself with a splendid supporting company, including as it does that talented actor, Mr. Townsend Whitling, who appeared here very successfully in “The Farmer’s Wife.” Mr. Rayson Cousens comes with a big reputation, which he won when he supported Sir Frank Benson, the late Sir George Alexander, Lady Forbes Robertson and Marie Lohr. R. Stewart West is another actor of note. He began his career with the late Lawrence Irving and later he supported Miss Pauline Frederick in many of her best triumphs. Victor Watts-Weston, who will make his first appearance here in “The Laughing Optimist,” toured with Sir John Martin Harvey for over five years. Leslie Laurier supported Guy Bates Post and Dorothy Brunton in “The Climax” and many other notable productions. Aliss Stella Francis is one' of England’s most popular comedy artists. Miss Frances Dillon is an actress of vast experience, having played under the direction of every London management of note. . Aliss Violet Ley will be remembered by New Zealanders for her splendid work in “The Farmer’s Wife.” Aliss Dorothy Stanward played the part of Tondeleyo in “White Cargo” in Australia, and she has also appeared in the leading role in “The Ghost Train.” Aliss Joan Rogers and Aliss Alary Brackley are two other artists who made themselves immensely popular in Australia. The box plans for “The Laughing Optimist” will be opened at Messrs. Lewis Eady on Alonday morning. LYRIC “GOOD TIME CHARLEY” The mirthful,' tender, exciting story of an old time song-and-dance-man, his pal, and his orphaned daughter, a play to see and to remember, is “Good Time Charley,” now showing at the Lyric Theatre. Warner Oland, one of the finest character actors of the generation, gives his most superb performance and Clyde Cook, master of humour, is at his best. Helene Costello, as the dancing daughter, has an opportunity to act apd to dance, and does both with distinction. Charley’s daughter has become famous as a dancer, before he finds out the person who was responsible for her mother’s death. Half blind, he gropes his way to wreak ' vengeance, but the fates planned otherwise. There is an unexpected and dramatic ending, and the audience leaves with more belief in humanity. There is a haunting beauty about the character of happy-go-lucky, wellmeaning, erring old Charley, as played by Warner Oland, and his changing fortunes are followed with breathless interest. Never has life beyond the footlights been msre realistically depicted. “The Opening Night,” an intensely dramatic story of a man suddenly becoming a coward, is the second feature. In this picture a noted theatrical producer lost his nerve during a shipwreck and was branded as a coward by the ship’s officers. He is too ashamed to go back to his wife, who mourns for him as a hero. Claire Windsor and John Bowers play the leading parts in this picture.

“THE PATSY”

AT MAJESTIC SHORTLY A picture effervescing with the spirit of youth, entitled “The Patsy,” will be the next attraction at the Afajestic Theatre, cohimencing on Friday next. The star in “The Patsy” will be the popular actress, Alarion Davies. Alarion Davies exhibits ability as a comedienne which assures her of a firm place in the hearts of all laughterloving people. She is as beautiful as she is humour-loving, which is saying a lot, and doesn’t mind when, as sometimes happens, the joke is turned pn herself. The story of “The Patsy” is adapted from the stage play, and has deviated only slightly in the film version. Suffice it to say that it is a tale of a true-to-lifo American family—father, mother and two daughters—and their adventures in the field of matrimony and elsewhere. As the embarrassed flapper who seeks to win her sister’s beaux by developing her personality via the correspondence course route, Aliss Davies is ideally cast. Jane Winton functions successfully as the elder sister, while Alarie Dressier, as the socially ambitious mother. is equally good. Orville Caldwell is a handsome and capable leading man, while Lawrence Gray does well in his role as the other suitor. ADELPHI, GREY LYNN “DOOMSDAY” “Doomsday,” a picture breathing- the charm of the English countryside, will be shown at the Adelphi Theatre, Grey Lynn, this evening. The centre character is Florence Vidor who plays the role of a girl who is undecided between two lovers, one offering her power and -wealth, and the other poverty and work, but with youth. The picture is based on the Warrick Deeping novel of the same name. The Adelphi Theatre finishes at 10.27, -when trams leave outside for all parts. Many days were spent in filming difficult episodes of “Hot Hews,” Bebe Daniels’s latest starring Paramount picture. Miss Daniels, as a news-reel camera girl, travelled out in a breeches buoy to a shipwreck. The scene required clever camera work.