THE GREAT MOSCOVITCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18416, 24 June 1925, Page 7

THE GREAT MOSCOVITCH.

OPENING TO-MORROW NIGHT. To-morrow right, at the Theatre Royal. Maurice ifoscovitch, the celebrated AngloRussian actor, will commence his Christ* church season under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in "Tho Outsider," ens of the most discussed dramas c: receni years. Tins unique play wu3 somewhat mis- • understood in Sydney and where a number o: the medical profession took exception to it as advocating quackery. Written by a crippled girl, who on the night of tho piay's introduction to London audiences, staggered on to the stage cn crutches, the theme centre? around a beautiful cripple girl, and a "bone-setter," who effects a cure for the girl when all London's most famous doctors had failed. "This is a play that must succeed in spite of the prejudiced it creates concerning tho medical profession, said tho critic of tho Sydney "Sunday Times." "It must succeed* if only because of the exact technicality, the superb artistry, tho powerful and compelling personality of the central ligure, Maurice Moscovitch. The theme is delicate, but it is handled with tho skill of the master who knows the mind of , tho dramatist whose impression lie is creating. Placed in the hands of a less competent ! actor, Anton Kagatzy would become at once repellent and facetious. But he is neither, though tho Royal College of Surgeons do their best to falsify him as the 'hybrid American, this swank of ft Yank who cures people/ He has the finish of a Boucicault, the clear delivery of Asche; and the eloquent hands and shoulders of his race. 2£oscovitcli is an actor of rare talents. "Whatever lie does in the future, his Anton Rugatzv has placed him on a plane of artistic excellence which those who composed his first Syduey audience will expect to see reached on every occasion. Certainly he has the part, but it should be more fitting to say that he is the pare." The action of "The Outsider" is plain and straightforward, and the audience : is enabled to grasp the narrative from the starting point. There are no author's tricks ; to confuse the mind and hold tho spectator in a state of expectancy till the climax is reached. The interest is centred in the possibility of R.igoizky succeeding or failing in his great task, and whatever eise may be said of it the piny succeeds because of its straightforwardness in this respect. Miss Jean Robertson, as the crippled genius and daughter of the great surgeon, is said to give an excellent impersonation of a very difficult character. This play will serve to introduce to Christ-church theatregoers several artists who will be making their first appearance in this city. The piece will be staged for five nights. Next Wednesday and Thursday "The Merchant of Venice" will be staged, and for the last two nights of the season "The Great Lover" will be presented. The box plans arc now on view at The Bristol. The scenery, properties,. effects, wardrobe, etc., of "The Outsider" arrived from Wellington yesterday morning in charge of # a large staff, so as to ensure that e\erj thing will be in complete readiness for tho opening performance ito-morrow evening.