The Magic Table

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

A partly comic, partly romantic fantasy. 'Liliane des Yris' is a popular dancer, engaged to be married to the honble. Billy Bracknell, who is very jealous of her elderly admirers. An Egyptian has given her a magic table, which belonged to an Egyptian dancer of 2000 years ago who was killed by a jealous lover. After supper Billy and Liliane follow directions for invoking the shade of this dancer, Nerea, who appears, together with her lover Dyos - and a comic amel. Then they are all taken to the Egypt of 2000 years ago, where the couples flirt, Dyos with Liliane, and Billy with Nerea, and there are songs and dances. Back in Liliane's flat again she and Billy have a little tiff about their flirtations and Billy invokes the shade of Nerea's mother, but 'a horrible old woman' appears - she is really Liliane's cook, for it is now day time - and the pair of lovers embrace happily. Mr Ponsonby has a light touch, and the possibilities of the dancers' lives are not intruded. I have marked a joke on p.18 as near the line, but I think it would be prudish to cut it out. The ancient dances, however - see p.26 - might give ground for offence, and a caution against he dance du ventre or that sort of thing might be given. Some of the songs are sent: one is political, 'The Sphinx' but it seems to me fair comment. Others must be sent if new. Recommended for Licence. G. S. Street. [The following is written in black ink below] 27/6/16 W. Ponsonby telephoned that as at present arranged only the three songs in MS will be given. If however another is decided on the words will be sent. [Following note is written below and initialed S] W.P also stated that not the slightest objection could be taken to the dance which could be hardly called such.