The Fishermaid of Old St Malo

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

An old-fashioned melodrama. Count Paul D’Auvergne and Lorette, the beautiful niece of the dear old priest, are in love. But Paul only inherits his fortune on condition of his marrying within a year, failing which it passes to his wicked cousin Pierre. So Pierre and Mathilde, the villainess, after Paul has gone away, (1) suppress all letters between Paul and Lorette, so that the former does not know she is to become a mother and she does not know he is coming back to marry her, (2) tell her that Paul is already married, (3) try to murder Lorette’s child, think they have succeeded and (4) accuse her of the crime. But Paul turns up in time and after being repulsed by Lorette, who has inherited money and become a “giddy votary of fashion” convinces her of his truth, and the Abbe produces the rescued child, and Mathilde, after the convenient habit of villainesses, murders the villain. It is all naïve and harmless, with nothing over-violent in dialogue or action. Recommended for Licence. G.S. Street

Researcher's Summary:

This licensed script for this play did not list an author but subsequent research identified Eva Elwes as the playwright.

Licensed On: 6 Nov 1916

License Number: 560

British Library Reference: LCP1916/27

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66148 I

Performances

Date	Theatre	Type
N/A	Empire Theatre, Heaton, Notts	Unknown	Licensed Performance
26 Dec 1916	Theatre Royal, Barnsley	Professional
22 Jan 1917	King's Theatre, Longsight, Manchester	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
30 Jan 1917	Opera House, Coventry	Professional
5 Feb 1917	Theatre Royal, Woolwich	Professional	Read Narrative 'The piece is well-staged and dressed, and the story is strong and full of incidents and movement. ... Produced at Barnsley on Boxing Day, the play has since been toured with increased success at each town visited; and now upon its appearance in Greater London, it should gain even more popularity.' ('The Stage', 8 February 1917 p. 16)
26 Feb 1917	Osborne Theatre, Manchester	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
12 Mar 1917	Theatre Royal, Jarrow	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
10 Apr 1917	Theatre Royal, Aston	Professional
16 Apr 1917	New Hall, Bargoed	Professional	Read Narrative 'The play, which is by Eva Elwes, is brimful of interest. Brittany (Northern France) is one of those strange, primitive corners of the world, which has remained unaffected by modern progress. This powerful play gives a fascinating glimpse into the life of the superstitious people of that land of sunshine and flowers.' ('Monmouth Guardian', 13 April 1917)
7 May 1917	Elephant and Castle Theatre, London	Professional
21 May 1917	Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham	Professional
21 May 1917	Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham	Professional
6 Aug 1917	Palace Theatre, Bordesley	Professional	Read Narrative '"The Fisherman of Old St Malo" that chequered drama of passion and sentiment, which has for background the picturesque life of Brittany...' ('The Era', 8 August 1917, p. 5)
13 Aug 1917	New Theatre, Crewe	Professional	Read Narrative 'This drama is based upon historical facts, and some fine scenes are produced.' Matinee on Saturday. ('Nantwich Guardian, 14 August 1917, p. 2)
20 Aug 1917	Theatre Royal, Leicester	Professional
27 Aug 1917	Theatre Royal, Hanley	Professional
17 Sep 1917	Palace, Newcastle	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
24 Sep 1917	Theatre Royal, North Shields	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
1 Oct 1917	Grand Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees	Professional
29 Oct 1917	Hippodrome, Queen's Park, Manchester	Professional
20 Nov 1917	Prince's Theatre, Portsmouth	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
18 Feb 1918	Alexandra Theatre, Hull	Professional	Read Narrative 'The play is a very popular one, and Mr C. Watson Mill should do good business this week. Refinement rather than sensation is the keynote.' ('Hull Daily Mail', 19 February 1918, p. 3)
10 Jun 1918	Royalty Theatre, Barrow-in-Furness	Professional
18 Nov 1918	Palace, Newcastle	Professional	Read Narrative Performed only on Monday 18th. Other plays performed during the week, by Mary Austin and Co., were 'Maria Martin' and 'Trilby'
15 Sep 1919	Theatre Royal, Jarrow	Professional	Read Narrative Performed Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat. On Friday 'Trilby' was performed. ('Jarrow Express', 12 September 1919, p. 1)
6 Jun 1921	Grand Theatre, Plymouth	Professional	Read Narrative 'The charming domestic drama "The Fisherman of Old St Malo" will be presented, for the first time in Plymouth, at the Grand Theatre next week. The scenes are laid in picturesque and romantic surroundings and the story is of great interest.' ('Western Morning News', 4 June 1921, p. 6) It is staged by the stock company. ('The Stage', 9 June 1921, p. 3)
9 Mar 1925	Hippodrome, Rotherhithe	Professional	Read Narrative Twice nightly
30 Aug 1926	Palace Theatre, Aberdeen	Professional

The Fishermaid of Old St Malo

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Performances