REGENT THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 6

REGENT THEATRE.

Tho trifling effort necessary to visualise Edgar Wallace's-strongly etched characters from his masimiy mystery stories Is uot needed m "The.Squeaker" at tho Uegent, because In'l directing his Ulm, Wallace, with a casi, chosen to his own satisfaction, each made for their parts, has made them live more vividly than in the book. Tho dialogue of the original has been brightened up wonderfully, aud altogether tho play la a remarkable success for British production, with humour that Is not forced aud tragedy that is imprcsslro without boing stagey. Tho reproduction of the English voices is perfect, l'ercy Marmont as Captain Leslie, pulls the chief weight it is true, but his task is lightened by the excellent way In which "Percy," "Lou," aud "Beryl" slip easily Into their places in his triumphant bluff to exposo a itnock-lineed crook, whoso wcapbus aro purely of the commercial type. Lou, a reformed 1.D.8., whoso partner in cheating Iho law was shot while attempting to oscapo from tlio Breakwater at Capetown, has spent tho rest of his life amassing a fortune legitimately, with true Jewish instinct, for Beryl Stedman, his partner's daughter, and has, he thinks, won by Sullon's apparent couunorciu 1 success, found her a flnhiE; husband. All London is thrlllod, at about this lime, with tha mysterious, doings of "Tho Squeaker," a notorious receiver of stolen goods who brings his customers into lino by informing -ou them when they jib at tlie price ho. offers. Captain Leslio enters Lou's- homo in the character of a time expired convict, given a fresh chance in the office, and then things begin to move. Thero Is the tenseness In every rapidly-changing situation, relievod by dry Cockney humour, which makes for instant appreciation of tho audience, and the subsidiary characters aro refreshingly natural, while the mystery remains ,intact till the very close. "l'ercy," as tho proprietor of the infamous Leopard's Club, provides a feast of humour. There is a good supporting programme, including "Volga Singers," and a flue "niovie" •of the lifo of a pea, from seed to flower and pod. Tho gracefulness" of the movements of tho unfolding roots, climbing plant, and waving tendrils Is such that it is hard to realise that weeks of growth are filmed in a few minutes, while tlio secrets of pollination liy bees are revealed in close-ups of the beautiful flowers. ..