AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19364, 22 July 1925, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

A MASTER ACTOR. MAURICE MOSCOVITCH. Of the successes of recent years nothing has approached the boom that has attended the showing of the intensely interesting four-act drama, “The Outsider,” to be staged for the first and only time in Wanganui by the big firm of J. C. Williamson Ltd., at the Opera House next Monday night, with the world-famous actor-genius, Maurice Moscovitch in the leading role. Members of the medical profession in Sydney and Melbourne were rather agitated over the production of “The Outsider,” when the piece was played in those cities some time ago, by this great artist. They appeared to hold that the play was an attack on the medical profession. Mr. Mos-1 covitch immediately refuted this. He declared that “The Outsider” was just a play—not a lesson for the people. It was written by a crippled girl about a crippled girl, and it lays bare the soul of a woman who is desperate for the love that men deny her because of her infirmity. Maurice Moscovitch plays Anton Ragatzy, the “quack” who tries to cure her, in spite of the. iron barriers of tho whole of the Royal College of Surgeons. “From the outset, it was obvious that the reputation which preceded him from London had been well earned,” said a leading Melbourne critic. “He was impressive. He not merely acted, but lived the part. His enunciation was perfect, and his interpretation of the character of ‘Anton Ragatzy’ carried the play to the audience in a manner better than has been the case with any dramatic production staged in this city for a number of years.” The drama was written by Dorothy Brandon, a crippled girl, for Mr. Moscovitch. The piece will be staged for this night only. On Tuesday night next, playgoers will sec the great Russian actor in his new and unique interpretation of Shylock, in “The Merchant of Venice,” stated to be a more modern production of the play itself, bringing out, in full measure, its enthralling dramatic power. These two plays will serve to introduce to Wanganui several artists who will be making their firrst appearance here. The plans for the two nights will open at H. I. Jones and Son’s next Friday morning.