MOSCOVITCH SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19916, 9 April 1928, Page 12

MOSCOVITCH SEASON.

MYSTERY OF " THE RINGER." AN EDGAR WALLACE T1 iRILLER.

A man who is wanted fur murder slips through the hands of Scotland \aid and flies to Australia with an attractive girl who becomes his wife. homo mouths later ho is reported drowned and the law congratulates itsolt on being easily rid of a dangerous and troublesome character. BuL to tlio consternation' of tho Criminal Investigatiou Department tlio "dead" man miraculously comes back to lil'o three years later and returns undetected to England to wreak vengeance on a scoundrel who has brought about !lio ruin of his dead sister. Everywhere there are unmistakably evidences oE his presence, yet no one lias seen him. His wife has como back alone, and the theory is advanced that lie will seek her out sooner or later. Who, then, among her acquaintances, is the Ringer—the dope fiend, the ex-convict, the erring brother or .De-tective-Inspector Bliss? That is the problem set ingeniously by Edgar Wallace in his mystery play, "Tho 1 linger," now being produced at His Majesty's Theatre by Mr. MauiTco Moscovitch and his company.

Fascinating jfc is to watch the massing of evidence, tho unravelling of knots, the elucidation ol clues as suspicion falls first oil ono character and then on another. In this play Mr. Wallace has contrived to crystallise all the inventive methods of storytelling familiarised in his novels into an astonishingly clover dramatic form, skilfully avoiding tho all too common fault of stretching his talc beyond the limits of credence, yet keeping tho identity of his mystery man an impenetrable secret to tho very end. Few of tlieso "thrillers," so much in tho vogue, have been more successful in ensuring credibility of motive. All tho points that puzzle, all tho "red herrings" drawn across the path to put the audieneo off tho scent, aro capable of explanation and justification, and when, at last, the Ringer stands revealed in his true colours, not as an exceedingly nasty villain but as a highly moral young man, hands unstained by a single drop of blood, tho spectator is warranted in appraising a daring but not improbable masquerade. Some line acting is witnessed during the performance. Mr. Maurice Moscovitch, who is always welcome, gives a highly-coloured study of the villainous Meister—musician, art critic, unsavoury lawyer and receiver of stolen goods. .Graphic to a degree is his portrayal of morphia-induced ecstasy, when, seated at the piano, he interrupts his playing to devise some diabolical plan to entrap his dupes. Terrifying in its grimness, too, is the paroxysm which overtakes him at tho police station and the linal death scene when ho is stabbed by an unseen hand. The tragedian in him, which in this performance is so strongly marked, finds relief in the customary amusing mannerisms, all part and parcel of a delightfully complete picture. Mr. Nat Madison ravels in one of the typically low-life roles to which he is peculiarly partial. His Cockney ex-convict is cleverly and naturally done, due insistence being made on its humorous attributes. One ot the most striking pieces of character work is that of Mr. I'atric Curwen, as the divisional surgeon— sociable, whimsical and delightfully Scotch. Highly intriguing is an assumed catch in the voice which, added to a benign elderly make-up, gives pointed emphasis to a study unique and wholly diverting. Mr. Reginald Newson gives a finely, restrained performance as Detective-Inspector Wembury, Mr. Ashton Jany playing his emotional opposite as the ill-tempered Inspector JBliss. Miss Mary MacGregor cuts considerable dash as tho faithful Cora Ann, the Ringer's young wife, a little hardened through contact with a hard world but - encouragingly optimistic in spite of it all. Miss Bertha Riccardo, too, essays a part painted in none too roseate lines, that of Mary Lenley, yet comes out of the ordeal with flying colours through the sheer appeal of her personality. Mr. Jack Dunne, as Mary's brother, and Mr. Hal Percy, as tho as-sistant-commissioner of police, are also in the picture,_ while mention must not be forgotten of an amusingly burlesqued Cockney sergeant of police hv Mr. George Blunt. ■ "

Further opportunities of "picking the Ringer will be offered this evening and following evenings. Patrons arc requested to be in their seats by eight o'clock as the opening scene contains an essential part of the story. - An extensive scheme of refurnishing has been carried out in the theatre since it was last opened.