THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE FAKE" CLOSES

The final performance of "The Fate" was presented at the Theatre Royal last evening by Maurice lloscovitch and his company, and the famous Russian actor had to respond to insistent curtain calls before the audience was satisfied. "TRILBY," TO-NIGHT. "Trilby" will be played to-night and the following" threo evenings. This play was a big success recently m Wellington and a critic said:— . , ... "The revival of George du Maurier s striking play, "Trilby," by the J. C. Williamsou Company, at the Grand Upera House, has been welcomed by Wellington theatregoers, who are only too glad to revive memories of the unique story of the -""n' 11 (iuartier, which took the whole world by storm some thirty years ago. Maurice iloscovitch gives n new presentment of fcv^ u " gali, tne saturnine scamp who got tne hapless Trilby so completely under His hypnotic influence. Mr Moscovitch reveals a more human Svengali, with much of the sordid and repulsivo features so emphasised by earlier actors toned down. The famous actor had the large house fascinated last night by his powerful delineation of the uncanny character whose only desire in lite is to see the song he has composed sung under his own hypnotic influence. He was particularly effective in the sceno where Svengali has a heart seizure, and prays to the God of Israel for time to accomplish his mission in life. Miss Ellen Pollock made a very natural. Trilby, depicting with rare fidelity the virago-like outbursts and tne emotionalism of the lovable but untutored girl, who had such a strange upbringing. There is an entire aosenco of theatricalism in Miss Pollock'B interpretation of the impulsive grisette, with whom every student in tho yuartier is in love. Those lovable characters, Taffy, Sandy, and Initio Billee, were excellently portrayed by Messrs John Harper, George Blunt, and Nat Madison, una Mr Alexander Garner gave a fine study ot the part of Gecko, the tool of Svengali, and Trilby's devoted slave. Mr J. B. Atholwood and Miss Margaret Murray did some tine acting as the Kev. Bagot and Mrs Bagot and Zouzou (Mr Richard Webster), Dodor (Mr Reg. Newson), Madame Venard (Miss Eileen Sparks), Angele (Miss Kerne Kelly) were all faithfully portrayed. ucn Bolt," the song which is so closely associated with "Trilby," was again well sung last night by Miss Kathenne Lewis, of Hastings. The play is excellently mounted, and tho revival was thoroughly enjoyed. "The Outsider" will be staged on Monday and for the last two nights of the season "They Knew What They Wanted will be presented.