MOSCOVITCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 15

MOSCOVITCH

NEW PLAY ON THURSDAY The box plans for the return visit of Maurice Moscovitch and the brilliant J. C. Williamson dramatic company supporting him, opened this morning at Lewis Eady, Ltd., and from the brisk booking of seats a big welcome awaits this popular actor and company on Thursday next at His Majesty’s Theatre, when they commence a farewell season of seven nights. The company presents for its return visit a new dramatic sensation, “The Silent House,” one of London’s most popular successes at the present time. The play is written by John G. Brandon and George Pickett. The story is one with an Oriental setting. The full strength of the company appears in this “joyous melodrama.” Maurice Moscovitch is seen in an entirely new role, that of Dr. Chang-fu, a dignified Chinese mandarin, which affords this actor almost unlimited scope for displaying his ability in tense and thrilling situations. Nat Madison appears as Ho-Fang, also a Chinese role. He is described as a wizened little yellow fiend, but who performs many of the morals of the play. Bertha Riccardo, the lady of the play, appears as T’Mala, a role of a beautiful darkhaired, dark-eyed young woman little more than a girl, around whom a lot. of the story hinges. The villains of the piec© are Ashton Jarry as Peroda. Richard Webster as Mateo and George Blunt as Benson. The hero part of Chap. George Wansford is portrayed by Reginald Newson, while Roger Barry (who is making his first appearance here with the company) as Capt. Philip Barty, provides plenty of laughter. A big cast also includes Guy Hoskings as Kivang, and Patrie Curwen as Jacob Herrington. The story outdoes “The Ringer” and “The Terror” for thrills and excitement. There are hidden cupboards, sliding panels. Chinese torture chambers. Oriental scheming and cunning, mysterious and weird happenings, all enlivened with a delightful vien of comedy.