MYSTERY AND THRILLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 326, 11 April 1928, Page 15

MYSTERY AND THRILLS

CROWDS AT HIS MAJESTY'S Every light in the mystery house is extinguished simultaneously; a woman screams hysterically, a man laughs fiendishly; and when the lights are switched on again another victim of •‘The Ringer” lies on the floor of his own drawing room with his own knife through his heart. And “The Ringer?” He is somewhere handy, of course, but the most astute cannot discern his presence till he re - veals himself in the last act. Big audiences are being thrilled by Edgar Wallace’s mystery play, which gives Maurice Moscovitch wide opportunity to display his versatility as an actor. Mat Madison plays an role with fine skill. Mary McGregor and Bertha Riccardo are both well cast. One of the most interesting characters is played by Patric Curwen, whose character work is excellent. Others who play important roles are Reginald Mewson, Ashton Jarry, George Blunt and Kiore King. On Tuesday next the Moscovitch company wall play “The Terror” for the first of a five nights’ season. There is a characteristic similarity—and yet something entirely different —about this other Edgar Wallace thrill, which is justly classed as a worthy successor to “The Ringer.” Consummate skill in contriving situations, and in altering the tension by almost imperceptible degrees, has been shown by the author. The humour is light and flexible, and although dreadful things do occur, they are interwoven -with brilliantly clever comedy situations, which hold the interest until the final act, when the identity of “The Terror’ ’is revealed.

Mr. Moscovitcli, as the inebriated boarder, who forces himself into the house of mystery and refuses to leave, receives further opportunities to demonstrate the fact that he is one of the finest actors we have ever enjoyed seeing in New- Zealand. Mr. Moscovitcli will be supported by the full strength of “The Ringer” company, including Mr. Nat Madison, who has achieved one of his best successes as Soapy Marks; Ashton Jarry, Reginald Newson, George Rlunt, Bertha Riccardo, Mary MacGregor and Miss Mildred Cottell. who will make her reappearance in “The Terror.”