B. W. A. Production at the Olympic It may not prove that the A.D.C. has found a new and serious rival in the Dramatic Section of the British Women's Association; there is room for both, and after Monday night's success at the Olympic, the Association should certainly be encouraged to provide further dramatic entertainment. That they are able to do so effectively was amply shown in the excellency with which Bernard Parry's comedy was staged. The play itself makes no great call upon the actors for subtlety of dramati¢ expression, the small cast being set for a group of ordinary every-day people, and interest is centred entirely in the development of the theme—that of a wife driven to the acquisition of silks and laces without going through the formality of paying for them, and all because of an ungenerous husband who grasps the purse strings rather too tightly. Finally, he is himself victimized, learns his lessons, and all ends as a good comedy should end.
In the character of Mrs. Wil-more, the wife without "pin-money" and with a dangerous fondness for pretty things, Mrs. Snodgrass (Vera Doria) had a very prominent part to play, and the success of the performance was largely due to the excellence with which she sustained it. She went through her scenes with point and effect, and admirably realized the character of the unhappy wife. Captain J. Snodgrass, impersonate ing Wilmore, was also very successful, delivering his lines with effect and frequently achieving an artless realism admirably true to experience, thus giving to the piece touches of quiet humour which were appreciated. Mrs. Churchill Knight, in the character of Mrs. Bentley, was excellent in several of the scenes, particularly in the second act, and most ably supported Mrs. Snodgrass. Miss Bunty Richardson had but a slight interest in the proceedings as Susan, the maid—but a_ most uncommonly attractive maid, and quite realized that subservience is not a modern characteristic of "the kitchen." Mr. A. E. Seddon, as was to be expected, made a very efficient and plausible legal gentleman, Mr. Beauchamp, and Mr. E. A. Jenkinson represented a friend of the family, Edward Ashby, creditably. His address to an imaginary jury was quite good. Unfortunately, he was not so successful in his love scene but then, the collapse of a lover in the solemn moment of offering his hand and heart is perhaps forgiveable. It is a mark of sincerity, if not a symbol of dramatic perfection.
Much credit is due to Mrs. Henry Jory for the admirable manner in which the play was staged. Mrs. Rawson's stage management was good and Mrs. Graham Barrow was an able prompter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.