A Happy Day

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

An exceedingly long and rather stupid musical comedy. The story is the hackneyed one of royalties destined to marry falling in love. There is a great muddle of places and nationalities. The scene is laid in the 'Kingdom of Valaria', and the heroine is 'Mary, Princess of Valaria', but she is also apparently English: 'Your own dear Englishmen and women' are spoken of in Act I, p. 8. She cannot, however, possibly be supposed to be meant for an English royalty. Mary is to be betrothed to Charles, 'Prince of Galania'. They have never seen one another and both dislike the idea. Charles does not arrive when expected but goes in disguise to a Gala Ball when Mary, who knows who he is, falls in love with him and he with her, so that when they meet to be betrothed they are delighted. This old story is complicated by an English rogue who pretends to be one Tobolsk, who apparently can send certain comic ministers to more confusion of places - unless bribed. That of course is also ultimately found out. The plays opens with what should be a pretty bedroom scene - of course quite innocent - of the Princess being called, and goes on to scenes in the Palace and Opera House with a chorus of Bohemian women (in the popular sense). It all reads quite innocently and some of it is quite pretty. But it is very long and dull. Recommended for Licence. G. S. Street. [The following is written below in black ink and dated 5 May 1916. Some words are covered over] [...] interviewed the Manager [...] assured me that no objection [...] visibly be raised against the bedroom scene. The management of this theatre was always most careful not to give offence to their audiences