A Cabinet Secret

‘The London Welsh Stage Society, of which Lord Howard De Walden is president, is getting work, and on Tuesday, Feb. 29, will give a matinée at the Haymarket, when the entertainment will consist of items associated with the land of the leek. Included in the programme will be “A May Night Idyll,” a musical phantasy, by Vincent Thomas; a tone-poem and scena by Morfydd Owen; a short play (in Welsh) by R. G. Berry; the musical farce, “A Cabinet Secret,” by Harold Simpson; and a grand ballet of the Allies by Merlin Morgan. The proceeds will be devoted to the fund to provide comforts for Welsh regiments at home and abroad’ (The Era, 9 February 1916). ‘Her Majesty Queen Alexandra was present at yesterday’s matinée at the Haymarket, given by the Loudon Welsh Stage Society in aid of Mrs. Lloyd George’s National Fund for supplying additional comforts for Welsh troops at home and abroad. The programme was appropriately national from beginning to end … The third play on the bill, an amusing musical farce, “A Cabinet Secret,” written by Harold Simpson, with incidental music by Vincent Thomas, has nothing to do with politics. The plot concerns the love intrigues of a pre-revolution pair of French aristocrats, and the cabinet serves to conceal, one after the other, the lover of the Marquise and the bien-aimée of the Marquis. Mr. Vincent Thomas’ settings of the lyrics, notably that of “I hear the music of a bygone day,” with its brilliant waltz refrain, beautifully sung by Miss Gertrude Blomfield as the Marquise, and the minuet duet which she shared with Mr. Frederick G. Lloyd as Gaston de la Rue, are charming and characteristic examples of the composer’s genius. Miss Gwladys Nowth was a dainty Ninette, and Mr. Sydney Wallace, in the part of the Marquis, displayed a vein of George Gravesian humour truly diverting. The plays were produced by Mr. Lloyd’ (The Era, 1 March 1916). ‘Gallant little Wales held possession of the Haymarket Theatre yesterday afternoon, the occasion being the London Welsh Stage Society’s matinee in aid of the National Fund for Welsh Troops … Miss Gertrude Blomfield was a great success in a farcical operetta “A Cabinet Secret,” with a situation, set to music, worthy of Sheridan himself. The book and lyrics are ably written by Harold Simpson and Vincent Thomas is responsible for the music. Miss Blomfield was very ably seconded by Mr. Frederick G, Lloyd, Mr. Sydney Wallace, and Miss Gwladys Nowth’ (The Globe, 1 March 1916).

The Manchester Evening News, 10 July 1916, advertised at the Palace Theatre for the week a variety bill that included Gertrude Blomfield & Co. in A Cabinet Secret. Also: ‘Miss Gertrude Blomfield sings with distinction in an amusing musical farce’ at the Palace Theatre (Manchester Evening News, 11 July 1916). ‘Miss Gertrude Blomfield, of the operatic stage, is making her début on the halls this week at the Palace, Manchester, in “A Cabinet Secret,” a musical farce, written by Harold Simpson, the music being from the pen of Vincent Thomas, whom I know chiefly as a graceful song writer. Miss Gertrude Blomfield is really a Mancunian, and her father is the Clerk to the Chorlton Board of Guardians. She has appeared in grand opera in Covent Garden. With her will be Mr. Sebastian Smith, who is said to be as funny the late Teddy Payne. When shall we all see “A Cabinet Secret” in London? There is plenty of room for musical farces. British composers, please note’ (The Era, 12 July 1916). ‘Gertrude Blomfield and company successfully present the musical farce “A Cabinet Secret”’ in a bill at the New Palace Theatre (The Stage, 13 July 1916).