An Egyptian Cinderella

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is a learned play of Egyptian and other legends, its matter being lucidly dealt with in a preface. Shorn of its archaeology and reduced to its elements as a play the scheme is as follows. In the first scene Twelve Kings of Egypt seek the help of Ptah against the Assyrians - about 660 B.C. One of them Psamtik, in spite of the intrigues of Harkheb, the priest of Amon-Ra, is made King of all Egypt but is sent to the Delta Marshes. In scene II he has regained his kingdom by the help of Theocles, a Greek mercenary. Theocles is slain, and his daughter Rhodopis is bullied by her step-mother. An eagle carries of one of her sandals. In scene III the sandal falls at the feet of Psamtik, who vows to wed its owner: Rhodopis appears and is made Queen. In scene IV by her patriotic eloquence it is decided to fight the Assyrians, who demand submission - Harkheb intriguing against her - and in the last scene Psamtik is again victorious and the intriguing Harkheb is forgiven by Rhodopis. The play is very prettily written in blank verse interspersed with lyrics, the girlish humour of Rhodopis and her girl companions being especially charming. It need hardly be added that, as befits 'a play for girls', there is no impediment to its being Recommended for License, G. S. Street.