Was the Marriage Legal
Researcher's Summary:
The rights to the play were acquired by the Stanley Carlton company which had a stock company at the Metropole, Glasgow and also sent plays on tour. An advertisement in The Era, 11 April 1917 sought a theatre for 'Was The Marriage Legal?' for the week beginning 23 April to ‘precede Leicester’. However, in the event, the company played 'The White Slaves of London' at the Theatre Royal, Leicester in the week beginning 30 April (The Era, 2 May 1917). An advertisement in The Era, 2 May 1917 for plays produced by the Stanley Carlton Company included 'Was the Marriage Legal?' of which it said, ‘Only played to £370 at Metropole, Glasgow’. Advertisements in The Era on 14 February, 7 March and 2 May 1917 sought a theatre for 23 July to ‘follow Dewsbury’ which implied that 'Was The Marriage Legal?' would be produced at Dewsbury, after closing at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield on 7 July, in one of the weeks beginning 9 or 16 July. However, The Era, 11 and 18 July 1917 record that quite different shows were performed in those weeks at both the Theatre Royal and the Empire, Dewsbury.
License Number: 884
British Library Reference: LCP1917/7
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66162 S
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Unknown | Licensed Performance | |
| 9 Apr 1917 | Metropole Theatre, Glasgow | Professional |
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An advertisement: ‘“Was the Marriage Legal?” By Arthur Jefferson. A fascinating problem which thousands will discuss and endeavour to solve’. The Stage, 6 and 13 July 1916; and The Era, 12 July 1916. An advertisement for the Metropole, Glasgow: ‘A red-letter spring holiday attraction. Return visit of the Stanley Carlton Company, featuring the two Glasgow favourites, Miss Rubie Maude as “Vera Langton”, Mr. Stanley Carlton as “Leonard Stirling”, in an entirely new play of domestic surprises, Was the Marriage Legal? by Arthur Jefferson’. Daily Record, 9 April 1917. ‘The numerous patrons of the Metropole Theatre are being regaled this week to an entirely new production entitled, "Was the Marriage Legal?" Written by Mr. Arthur Jefferson, it is a drama of rare and refreshing interest, with the human note ever predominating. The story concerns the fortunes of an heiress, sold to a gipsy band when a child, and the plot and counter-plot woven around her strange and eventful career are worked out with a fascinating fidelity to real life. There are some remarkably powerful scenes in the play, one that especially thrills the audience being that of the trapping of the hero in the strong room of a bank. Miss Rubie Maude as Vera Langton, the stolen heiress, gives a clever and charming rendering of her role, while Mr. Stanley Carlton, as the hero, Leonard Stirling, acts with fine restraint’. Daily Record, 10 April 1917. An advertisement for Was the Marriage Legal? at the Metropole, Glasgow: ‘The reception given the piece by a crowded house was most cordial, each act being accorded rounds of applause’. Daily Record, 10 April 1917. An advertisement: ‘Was the Marriage Legal? By Arthur Jefferson. Theatre rights - for the United Kingdom - secured by Miss Ruby Maude. Produced Monday last, at the Metropole Theatre, Glasgow, under the direction of Stanley Carlton, Esq. Pay-box opinion £370. Press Opinions. “A drama of rare and refreshing interest with the human note ever predominating … Plot and counter-plot worked out with a fascinating fidelity to real life.” – Record and Mail. “A story with plenty of ‘grip’ … A more enjoyable performance no one could desire.” - Evening News. “An arresting title . . . made a strong appeal.” – Citizen. “A hearty welcome from a crowded audience which followed it with keen enjoyment. The story has an appealing human interest.” – Evening Times'. The Era, 18 April 1917 and The Stage, 19 April 1917. ‘[Jefferson] claimed, optimistically, that it would be “a fascinating problem which thousands will discuss and endeavour to solve”. Alas the public did not do as he hoped although, when the play had its first airing at the Metropole in April 1917, the reviews in the local Glasgow newspaper did suggest it was favourably received’. Danny Lawrence, Arthur Jefferson: Man of the Theatre and Father of Stan Laurel (Brewin Books, Studley, Warwickshire, 2017), p. 238.
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| 2 Jul 1917 | Theatre Royal, Sheffield | Professional |
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‘Mr. Stanley Carlton’s company presents an entirely new drama, “Was the Marriage Legal?” at the Sheffield Theatre Royal, this week. Its surprising and thrilling situations appealed strongly to last night’s crowded audience’. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1917.
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