"THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 14

"THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST"

TO-MORROW AT HIS MAJESTY’S To-morrow night at His Majesty’s Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present for the first time to playgoers of New Zealand the distinguished London actor-manager Air. Percy Hutchison and his own complete London company of comedy stars in the play of love and laughter, “The Laughing Optimist,” which is said to be 'one of the quaintest, most original and most entertaining comedies created during recent years. That Air. Hutchison is in the front rank of London actor-managers, the annals of the London stage testify. He has produced and acted in no less than 79 plays, has controlled at various times 17 London theatres and 200 companies, and has frequently appeared before Royalty. In choosing “The Laughing Optimist” as his opening production, Air. Hutchison has been guided by the fact that this comedy ran for over 15 weeks in Alelbourne and 12 weeks in Sydney, and in it Air. Hutchison scored a sensational triumph in England and South Africa. “While Percy Hutchison was on the stage,” wrote a Alelbourne critic, “and he was seldom absent, he kept things moving by the dominance of his personality in a part that fitted him like a glove. He was the pivotal force which kept the wheels rolling merrily along the road to complete success.” • Besides being one of the most humorous plays created during recent years, “The Laughing Optimist” unfolds a very interesting love romance, the interest of which is sustained right up to the final fall of the curtain. Mr. Hutchison has surrounded himself by a particularly powerful company of London West End artists, including Stella Francis, one of England’s most popular comedy stars, also Frsfhces Dillon, Townsend Whitling, E. Rayson Cousens-, R. Steuart West, Joan Rogers, Violet Ley, Alary Brackley, Leslie Laurier and Dorothy Stanward. It is said that the principal ladies wear some gorgeous dress creations. Only five performances can be staged of “The Laughing Optimist,” and on Tuesday next “Air. What’s-His-Name” will be staged here for the first time.