“JOURNEY’S END”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 803, 25 October 1929, Page 7

“JOURNEY’S END”

LARGE DEMAND FOR SEATS There was a very large demand for seats when the box plans were opened this morning for the approaching season of “Journey’s End.” the worldrenowned war play, which is to be staged here by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. New London Dramatic Company, at His Majesty’s Theatre, on Wednesday night next. One of the most remarkable features of the triumph achieved by “Journey’s End” is the success of this English play in America and Europe. It has been translated into every European language, and published in book form, hundreds of thousands of copies having been sold. In New York, though a British play, with entirely British characters, it is the biggest theatrical success in years. The fact that it deals with a phase of the Great War has r.ot detracted trom its universal success. An American paper thus referred to this phase ot its success:—“Many people have refused to see war plays. The chief reason for the failure of most war plays has been the indifferent quality of the plays themselves. “Journey’s End” is one of those rare exceptions that really merit the adjective great. It is great in conception, in its realism and deep insight into the psychology of the men in the line, in its entire freedom from melodramatic insincerity and cheap claptrap.” Gilbert Gabriel, another eminent New York critic, writes as follows:—“Its fire has the velocity of gunpowder. Its tragedy has the lilt in it of such ballad loveliness as all the present-day world must immediately inemoriso and sing in husky chorus.” When the directors of J. C. William - son, Ltd. were successful in procuring the Australian and New Zealand rights of “Journey’s End.” they sought the advice of R. C. Sherriff, the author of the play, and the principal artists who are to appear in the production were chosen by him for their respective roles. Only a limited number of performances can be staged of “Journey » End.” as after a brief tour of New Zealand it will be staged in Sydney for the first time.