‘THE RINGER’

Evening Star, Issue 19893, 15 June 1928, Page 7

‘THE RINGER’

"THRILLING MYSTERY PLAY RETURN OF MOSGOVITCH Probably taking the loud from current fiction, iu'which there is a largo demand for stories of the mystery type, tho stage lias recently endeavoured to satisfy theatregoers with plays in which that element is the chief attraction. The latest of theso is ‘Tho Ringer,’ from the pen of Edgar Wallace, one of the most prolific of writers of ,sensation fiction. - Though the novelist himself would probably be ( he_ last to claim any great literary merit, for ‘The Ringer,’ there is no doubt that in it he lias supplied suspense and excitement, particularly when it is played by a, company headed by Mr Maurice Moscovitch, whoso craftsmanship is so assured. Consequently a warm ovation was accorded to tho popular actor and his company at tho commencement of the staging of ‘The Ringer’ tor the first time in Dunedin, at His Majesty’s Theatre, last night—an ovation which at the conclusion of the performance was exceeded by the demonstration of pleasure which the large audience accorded. THE CAST. Detective-inspector Bliss... Ashton Jarry Detective-inspector Wembury, Reginald Newson Colonel Walford „Hal Percy Samuel Hackitt ...Nat Madison Maurice Meistcr Maurice Moscovitch Dr Lomond Patric Curwen Cora Ann Milton Alary MacGregor Mnrv Loiiley Bertha Riccardo John Lanlcy Jack Dunne Station-sergt. Carter George Blunt Benny L Leslie Donaghey Mrs Hackitt Kiore King P. C. Field Richard Webster Dctcciivc-constahle Graves, Herbert Leigh Detective-constable Brown, Richard Fair Detective-constable Jones, Guy Hastings P. C. Smith Carloton Stuart

Thrills ami fun abound in ‘Tho Ringer,’ and tho audience is “on edge” all night, guessing the identity of the “Ringer,” an international crook who has Scotland Yard and tho police of tho world baffled. There are unjust suspicions, screams, sepulchral voices, narrow escapes, a murder, and assorted comedy before his identity is discovered. Though tho “ Ringer ” is resported to bo drowned in Sydney Harbour, he is known to be again in England seeking revenge on Ins sister’s betrayer. This is where tho play commences, and right from tho start the action is rapid, fn order to heighten the mystery the author has taken pains to confuse'the issue at every conceivable point, so as to keep the audience guessing up till tho last minute-. The result is achieved,, and during the intervals between 1 the acts speculation as to the identity of the “ Ringer ” has the audience deeply intrigued. Like all Edgar Wallace’s productions, whether on stage or in book form, tho plot is well conceived, 'and tho solution is not apparent til! the end. fn this connection -the management requests patrons not to divulge to their friends the identity of the mystery man; to do so, it is explained, would rob many of the pleasure of anticipation and of their interest and enjoyment in the play. A strong company secs that every opportunity is taken to get tho utmost out of tho creepy side of the play, and -the acting is splendid. The outstanding .figure is 'Mi- Maurice Moscoviteh, who appears as tho crooked lawyer who .'defends ‘t crooks ” and who fattens on their misfortunes. After all,_ who wants to worry over tho logicality of the thrilling events so long as tho inimitable Moscoviteh, whose polished acting would lend dignity to any sort ■ of masquerade, is there with his genially diabolical arts and his delightful wickedness. There is a Jekyll and Hyde touch about the character of the scoundrelly lawyer, and Mr Moscoviteh gets right inside the part. His Maurice Meritor is a striking study, true to the last shade of character and emotion.

Notable in the supporting cast was Nat Madison, whose study of the Cockney ex-convict was one of the gems of the evening. Ho provided most of the humour of Iho picec. Hal Percy gave an excellent picture as an assist a ill commissioner of police whose sole efforts arc concent rated on the capture •of the elusive “ Ringer.” Pa trie Cur wen has a heavy part in anting as tlio divisional surgeon to Scotland Yard Ho' is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable police surgeons, acting like a. Sherlock .Holmes, with a roving com-' mission (o go anywhere and do what ho likes, but (ho concluding scenes show there is considerable method - in his somewhat unusual conduct. The character of Detective-inspector Bliss is also an unfamiliar one, hut, as tlio story Works out, he, too, shows there is a convincing motive in his apparent eccentricities. Mr Ashton Jarry came through the part with Hying colours. Two of (he ladies—Miss' -Mary MacGregor as Cora. Ann Milton (wife of the Ringer) and Miss Bertha Ricrardo a.s Mary Lenlcy—have parts which are of great importance to the proper understanding of the story, and they both showed skill and charm in their acting.

, Through the whole of the play the jilof centres round the operations of Meister, ami over all hangs the shadow of The “ Ringer,” ever on the watch, ready to strike, and to exact his lull loll; Good acting is necessary to make the situations convincing, and there is not a-member who does not rise to the, occasion. All-round- • skill is shown, with‘a full understanding of what is required in a story hi'which the element. of mystery must, he maintained till' the very last. ‘The Ringer’'will he: staged again fyvmght and to-morrow night- Tt is otic of Iho best plays of its kind that has 'been shown hero'.