The House of Fear (revised version)

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

So far as the script goes the Chinese element has been eliminated from this play. The first opening of the original (see previous report) has disappeared and we start with the second. The story remains the same, but the place of the chief Chinese monster is now taken by 'Lupus Vulpine', a mysterious millionaire,' and that of the subordinate Chinaman by 'Lemuel Stark, valet to Vulpine' The girl Lily is lured to the 'House of Fear' where these ridiculous creatures dwell, is drugged and so forth, is proposed for in marriage by Vulpine, consents, being under his influence, is going to be killed for only consenting to be a wife in name, and is saved by Lemuel killing Vulpine. Vulpine is supposed to be of no nationality, and the only remnant of the Chinese business is that he is stated (scene III, p.22) to have lived many years in China. He and his man speak odd English, but not as before pidgin English. In one place (p.39) a Chinese name is left in a stage direction, but that is obviously a slip and does not matter. Of course it is possible that advantage may be taken of the villain's having no nationality to suggest something Chinese or akin to it but I see no reason to anticipate that. As the play stands the author has complied with the Lord Chamberlain's requirements, and it is therefore Recommended for Licence G. S. Street.