THE GREAT MOSCOVITCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18413, 20 June 1925, Page 17

THE GREAT MOSCOVITCH.

OPENING THURSDAY NEXT. The chief interest of the performance of Dorothy Brandon's remarkable drama, "The Outsider," to be staged under the -T. C. Williamson management, at. the Theatre lioyal on Thursday evening, will nocessarity be the first appearance in Christchurch of the worldfamous actor, Maurice Mo'seovitch. who comes fresh from triumphant seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, where the drama proved a big success in both cities, and in Wellington recently it caused something of a sensation,, being piayod for seven nights to enormous audiences. The theme of tho play, in the attitude of the lioyal College of Surgeon* tbwards Anton Ragatzy, unqualified, yet... a natural geuius, wno iiealt.' his patients of lameness, while the qualified surgeons themselves fail. Anion ltagatzy, is a specialist, but the College of Surgeous refuse liiin .the barest recognition because he is not a registered practitioner. Jasper Sturdee, an eminent surgeon, has suffered much because of the maltreatment of his infant daughter by a quack, in the doctor's absenco abroad, and his hate of quacks of all kinds is deep aud abiding. To get the chance of curing histubborn enemy's own daughter is ltagauy's' ambition. By a ruse lie succeeds in- getting' an interview with the girl, and iu a fino scene persuades her to leave her father and submit herself lo his treatment. He falls in love with her, and by his undoubted geniua effects a miraculous cure wnc-ro ah the famous surgeons of the world failed. In a stirring climax the surgeon's daughter falls in love with Ragalzy. and he tncnccfortli attains his proper place among the medical profession as an outstanding genius; It is said that throughout the play >loscovitch grips the audience by his astonishing and magnetic personality. His performance of the title role ranks him among the greatest actors who have como to lhi» country. "Those who were present las'. jiight/' said tho critic of the Wellington "Evening Post," "will never forget tueir experience. They went through' the process, the ordeal of the emotions almost, which is described by the ancient philosopher as being the true end of tragedy and the aim of the actor who presents it—the purging of the passions by the contemplation of life as shown by the dramatic artist on the stage. The audience lived the drama wilh the actors. Great exponents of the drama have appeared here one after another. And now has come the greatest of them all, Maurice Moscovitch. At the end of each act he was called ou to bow his acknowledgments to the storm of applause time and time again. One cannot recall such scenes over a very long term of years." "Tho Outsider" will be staged for five nights. Tho box plans will open at The Bristol ou Tuesday morning at 'J o'clock. During the season "The. Merchant of Venice" and."The Oreat Le-vcr'' will be presented for two nights each.