"THE FAKE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18901, 17 January 1927, Page 13

"THE FAKE."

DRAMA OF DRUGS.

KETURN OP MAURICE

MOSCOVITCH.

Playgoers in Christchureh know from previous acquaintance with Mr Maurice Moscovith, the eminent Kussiau Jewish actor, what an artist he is, and consequently have been looking forward to his return with keen anticipation. This was made evident on Saturday night, when he commenced a season in the Theatre Royal, for the audience was not only large, but mo6t enthusiastic

Mr Moscovitch lias chosen to open his season with the three-act play "The Fake," which is from the pen of Frederick Lonsdale, whose name will be pleasantly recalled whenever ono thinks of that smart comedy, "Aren't We All! " The playwright is without doubt a man of great versatility, as a study of the two productions will reveal, but while the comedy is the more meritorious effort, it must at the samo time be admitted that "Tho Fake" is a drama of great human interest. Ono can go further and state that had Mr Lonsdale not written any other play "The Fake" would have sufficed to bring him into prominence. So gripping was it, in its effect on Saturday night's audience that one was made abundantly aware of the emotions of the patrons, as the tragic story of "The Fake" was unfolded step by step. Although he knows that Gerrard Pillick, the profligate'scion of a noble house, is warped in mind and temperament because of his addiction to drink and drugs, such is the snobbish ambition of Ernest Stanton, M.P., to become allied with such a family that he does not hesitato to allow his daughter, Mavis, to throw herself away in a marriage with Pillick. The girl's tyes are soon opened to the horrible fate into which her father has drivcn\her and her sufferings are intensified at the knowledge that no sympathy or assistance to escape from it can be expected from him. Stanton is regarded by tho world generally as a righteous, man, but there is one who knows him through and through. This is Geoffrey Sandos, manager of Stanton's estate abroad, who, being aware of the weaknesses of Pillick, deeply regrets having returned to England too late to prevent the marriage from taking place. However, he makes up his mind that as Miss Stanton's father is callous ,so far as her sufferings are concerned, it is his duty to save her. How to do so is by no means an easy matter, but at. length ho decides on a plan which seems to promise success. It is no less than to kill tho worthless husband. Having induced Pillick to accompany him on a holiday, he frames up evidence of suicide, and an overdose of the drug to which the former is addicted results in, the girl finding herself released from her bonds of misery. Nothing suspiciousis discovered at the inquest proceedings' and the true facts of Pillick's death might never have been known had Sandos not chosen to tell the plain unvarnished story to Stanton, who affects to stand aghast at it. Ho will denounce Sandos to the polico and make him stand trial for murder, but when he is told that ho has acted as an accomplice and is dared to divulge the information he has thus gained, his heart fails him and the play is at an end. '■•... ... Mr Moscovitch although speaking with a foreign accent, takes the. part of Sandos with complete success, his acting being superb and comparable with the great performance. previously, given by him in Christchureh. He-mado his audience sympathise with him in his abhorrence of Pillick, and contempt of Stanton, and mado them also" ciatethe fact that although in the. eyes of the law he would be - regarded as a murderer, were his crime made public, he was at the- same time, ridding'the world of a wretch .who did not deserve to live. Mr Ken Brandon acted the part of Stanton so well as,to cause the audience to loathe the character, which is said to bo -tho-tost tribute that an actor can be paid. The Tole of Pill.iek, ono which calls for sound acting, devolves on the capable shoulders of Mr Nat Madison, who presenteda life-like portrait of a drug-sodden specimen of manhood, around whose shortcomings the action.of the play evolves.' As Sir Thomas Moorgate,' physician, good work work was done by Mr George Blunt, and Mr A. Sarncr made up_ well as Mr Hesketh Pointer. One of the most trying parts in "The Fake' is that of Mrs Pillick, which was taken by Miss Kcrric Kelly. Miss Eileen Sparks was seen as Mrs Pointon, and did all that was demanded of tho part, in a thoroughly capable manner, while Miss Ellen Pollock infused a, nice comedy touch, into the murder scene in the role of a waitress. Other good inter, pretations were given by Mr Reginald Newson as Clifford Hope, Miss Margaret Murray as Mrs. Stanton,.and the veteran acto"r, Mr J. Atholwood, as a servant. , , . "The Fake" will be played foi another two'nights. .-