“THE WRECKER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 658, 9 May 1929, Page 14

“THE WRECKER”

RAILWAYS AND REALISM THRILLS AT HIS MAJESTY’S “The Wrecker,” a thriller in four ' nets, by Arnold Ridley. Presented at j His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by j J. C. Williamson in conjunction with j E. J. Carroll. CAST Gladys Elliott .... Helen Saintsburv Milly Knight Ivy Sparrow Mary Shelton Josephine Wilson Noah Twemblett .... Frank Morrison Roger Doyle Clayton Greene Joshua Barney Arthur Young Sir Gervaise .... George Willoughbv j Inspector Hatchett . . Frank Rutherford ! Chester Kyle Reginald Collins I Lady Beryl Metchley . . Xoelle Sonning Alf Richard Stirling Horace Street Guy Routli Haines Norman Lee John Smith Redge Carey It seems strange to hear the characters in “The Wrecker” discussing the New Zealand v. England Rugby match at Twickenham. But that is merely incidental —the hero is a famous footballer. More than that, he is the man who eventually unearths “The Wrecker.” And who is this horrible “Wrecker?” Even though the programme does not request that we maintain a discreet silence regarding the wicked fellow’s | identity we propose to do so—if only in fairness to Mr. Ridley. “The Wrecker” belongs to what our American friends describe as the “Who dojie it?” drama, which began ever so long ago with “The Bat.” and has been followed by a succession of “Terrors” and “Killers,” etc., each purporting to be more bloodcurdling than the last —a claim which, incidentally, has never been fulfilled. Mr. Ridley set a new vogue by producing “The Ghost Train,” which had sufficient noises off to attract every railwayman, from porter to divisional superintendent within a radius of 500 miles. This he has followed with “The Wrecker,” which, even if it Tacks its predecessor’s touch of novelty, improves in realistic railway

noises. Neither is there a “silly ass” role, nor a female with a parrot. Still there are others, and on them all rests the icy finger of suspicion. “The Wrecker” is built on the same foundation of suspense and hidden identity. There are false clues, mysterious warnings, black outs, clutching hands, screams in the dark, hidden guns and a sufficient number of corpses lying about to delight every lover of this kind of stage fare. The third scene, a signal box on the Great Trunk Railway., is one of the finest thrills of the play. By the toss of a coin the hero and heroine prevent the wrecking of an express which roars and screams its way across the stage and proves how near “The Wrecker” is «to those melodramas which delighted our grandparents. Mr. Greene is the most able member of this new company. His manner is sufficiently robust to suggest the ideal hero, and the international Rugby star. Miss Wilson, whose charming appearance hardly suggests the woman detective.

; has an attractive stage presence. 1-ler deep voice makes one think of her in Shakespearean roles instead of thrillers. Miss Sonning gave uS a convincing picture of the woman - about-town. | Mr. Morrison was pleasantly amusing in a gruff char-

acter role. Mr. Willoughby disappeared from the play after contributing his quota to the mystery. Miss Saintsbury, Mr. Young, Mr. Collins and the other members of the company, gave all necessary support. “The Wrecker” will be unearthed every evening for the next week at Elis Majesty’s Theatre.