“THE OUTSIDER”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12651, 11 January 1927, Page 11

“THE OUTSIDER”

mosoovitgh at his best.

In June, 1925, Wellington audiences were amazed by the marvellous acting of a newcomer to the Now Zealand stage, Maurice Mdsoovitoh, who* presented “The Outsider,” a dranmtio play by Dorothy Brafidon. The piece was a triumph, as was also the acting of Mr Moscovitoh. Last night “The Outsider” was revived at the Grand Opera House with Moscovitoh in his original part. Judging by the applause which followed many of the scenes and the star’s appearance the play was even more popular than before. ' As Anton Ragatzy, the quack doctor who was considered an outsider by the fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons, Moscovitoh was exceptional. His part was no easy one to play, and though it was exacting and heavy, never once did he show any signs of overacting. In fact he almost ipad® one want to give gR believing in doctors and degrees. His natural acting, convincing gestures, and forcible speech made the audience reaLUe what a genius was appearing before them. So far* as the audience was concerned Moscovitoh was not acting—he was Ragatzy. Tbe final scene in which he declares his love for the girl he has cured will never be forgotten by those who saw last night’s performance. In brief the plot deals with the wonderful cures effected by Ragatzy, a quack doctor, who appears before the honorary surgical staff of a London hospital. One of the surgeons, Jasper Sturdee, refusee to toe the quaok, whose kind he roundly condemns, telling his colleagues about his own daughter, a cripple, who was maimed as a child by the treatment of a quack. Ragatzy determines to cure the surgeon’s daughter, and induces her to place herself in his hands for a year. She does so and she has to lie on the “rack,” Ragatzy’s patent appliance, for the whole period. There is a moving scene in the last" aot when the crippled girl, cured, discovers her lover false, and-incidentally finds the man of her, dreams in the person of the quack himself. As the crippled girl, Miss Ellen Pollock was a great success. Occasionally her voice was inclined to be a trifle monotonous, but in her more emotional scenes, especially when she has to choose between duty to her father and a crippled life, or the treatment of the quack doctor, she surprised the audience by her splendid rendering of Hie part. Miss Eileen Sparkes had her old part, that of Madame Kloste. She was better than ever, and was a great favourite. As Basil Owen, - Lalage’s lover, Mr Reginald Newson was most convincing. Excellent characterisations were given by Mr George Zucco, who took the part of Dr Sturdee, the man who preferred to let his daughter remain a oripple rather than lose his reputation as a surgeon, and George Blunt, Alexander Sander, Nat Madison, the last three representing hospital doctors. Miss Margaret Murray made the most of her role of a . housemaid. .

“THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED”

To-morrow and Thursday nights will witness the two final appearances in Wellington of the Maurice Moscovitch Company. For these farewell night® “They Knew What They Wanted” will be presented. This will mark Hie first occasion that this play has been produced in New Zealand. When played in Australia lately it was certainly the most discussed play that country has known. Half the critics have expressed their dislike of the story and the treatment in no uncertain manner, and the other half are just as enthusiastic over the play- However, reports 'are that the play was a big success, and judging from the interest shown locally in the play and the heavy bookings, there is every prospect that the Wellington season of two nights will , also be a big success. Box plans are now open at the Bristol.