Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 9 October 1913, page 10


"THE NIGHT SIDE OF

LONDON."

a new season was successfully opened at the Adelphi Theatre last night by another George Willoughby dramatic combination, in which Mr. George Cross is the principal figure. This favourite actor accordingly appeared with a different cast in "The Night Side of London," the sensational play by C. Wat-son Mill in which he appeared In March, 1915-. This piece will be remembered for the situa-tions which still make It popular, more especially to the one in which ;'k> heroine, Esther Dorincourt. fall- the '"3 in the snow amidst the dazzling l'sLu ..; Pall Mall, and is carried by the villain into a gorgeously furnished Night Club, the interior of which is rapidly shown In another elaborate scene. The rococo style of decoration, the luxurious appointments, and flunkeys in scarlet, and the gaily-dressed women who throng the supper-rooms at the back, form a highlyrealistic picture of vice that flaunts la butterfly colours. It is here that Esther re-covers her senses to find herself in the power of Herod Steinberg a Jewish criminal, who his made money by organising a typewriting school, the luckless girls, in which learn too late that they must either submit to the insults of his customers, or starve in the wet, cold streets outside. The drama purposes, in point of fact, to es-pose the evils of the White Slave Traffic" and there is a good deal of moralising on the sex problem- However, Herod's "school" would not last a week In any English city that possessed an ordinarily efficient police system, and the whole story is too crowded with Im-probabilities to justify serious consideration. Apart from its occasional absurdities, however, it is consistently worked out, and that the ingenuity of the author was considerable was demonstrated by the delightful applause with which the audience greeted every fresh development.

Mr. George Cross plays once more with quiet force the part of the Rev. Manuel Erring-ton, the evangelistic love with Esther, and It is his strong arms and ready flats which Ideal the knock-out to the hirelings, who oppose his entrance to the night of-. The Rescue was all the more grateful to the audience because Chauffeur Curly Dobbs, the low comedian, disguised as a swell with Piccadilly weepers, after several triumphs in aid of the heroine, had suddenly been included in the massacre of the innocents by the wily Herod. The part was played with much bustling humour and buoyancy by Mr. Frank Crossley. When the piece was first staged at the Adelphi, Mr. H. W. Diver showed Herod as a physically frail old man, whose Mephlstophellaa suggestion of almost mesmeric power owed his victims. Mr. T. W. Lloyd now plays the part quite differently as a port-ly, well-dressed man of the world, his oriental gestures alone betraying his origin. The impersonation was a sound one, and the scene of defiance with the hero was strongly acted by both parties to it. Miss Vera Remee proved an engaging and sympathetic'

Esther. The struggle with Herod came -tardily off last night, but in other respects the attention of the audience was securely held by the graceful actress. Mr. Arthur Shirley proved -a polished and well-groomed villain with scruples" as Ralph Desmond. Miss Muriel Dale was appropriately hard, haughty, and domineering as the cruel Naomi Merrick; Miss Pearl Smith's rich voice assisted her in pourtraying the misery of Magdale; and Miss Fanny Erris vividly hit off the rustic peculiarities of the simple Slithers. Mr. Frank Reis had his pathetic moments as Ostler Jim, and Vera Huggett cleverly simulated lameness as the crippled child, Dolly Herrick. Two extraordinary characters have been lifted from mediaeval ting), and planted in the centre of this modern melodrama. Cairns Mr. J. J. Ennis is a musician from whom Herod first stole his wife (Magdala), and then put out his eyes; and his dumb companion Sturman (Mr. Chas. W. Taylor) had his tongue cut out by Herod after the latter had eloped with his sister.

The blind musician played Mendelssohn's , "Spring Sang" as a frequent reminder to,. Herod that he was likely to be strangled, and

the whole house rejoiced whenever Herod . shivered and shook at the sound. However,

in the final scene,' the villain escaped stran-.. gulation, owing to the untimely intervention of a -man. of Lightning, which prematurely "finished him off" at the foot of the market cross. These absurdities notwithstanding. "The- Night Side of London was received with enthusiasm, and the animation of the acting under Mr. Willoughby's direction, should ensure its renewed popularity.