A Wife's Dilemma

The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Saturday 5 January 1918, advertised at the Palace Theatre, Bath, the following week, Miss Constance Drever, supported by George Bellamy & Co., in the sketch A Wife’s Dilemma by Dion Titheradge. Also on the bill were Anitas Hayes, comedienne and dancer; Baxter & St. Welma, in choice Tit-Bit; Sandy White, the original Scotsman at the piano; Halma, original crazy dancing juggler; and Woodward & Page, a comedy cycling pot-pourri act.

‘A strong programme at the Hippodrome last night attracted large audiences to both performances. The star turn, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” by Dion Titheradge, was presented by George Bellamy & Co. in a manner that left little to be desired. Miss Constance Drever, as “the wife,” had a particularly difficult role to fill, but she never once wavered, and her nerve carried her through successfully’ (Northern Whig, 22 January 1918). ‘Every “turn” in the Hippodrome bill is excellent this week … Constance Drever displays her exceptional histrionic powers to great advantage in the cleverly constructed comedy-dram [sic] sketch Dion Ziteradge [sic], “A Wife’s Dilemma.” Both as actress and songstress Miss Dever [sic] gives of her best, and her reception was very cordial. She is strongly supported by Mr. George Bellamy, who maintains his high reputation by his vigorous and artistic representation of the escaped convict and ex-lover; by Mr. Alfred Keitley, as the husband; and Mr. Alfred Williams, who in the part of the chief warder contributes colour and strength to the performance’ (Larne Times, 26 January 1918).

The theatre was sometimes referred to in advertisements as the Theatre Royal, Hippodrome and Winter Gardens. ‘Constance Drever is the star in a wretchedly weak sketch at the Hippodrome this week. It is a stupidly constructed sort of thing, and suggests that the author, having reached an improbable situation, and being at his wits end for a satisfactory finish, fell back on the old reliable gag of the whole incident being a dream. I suppose it was horribly doggish to have a bedroom scene depicted on the stage, and a lady in night attire roaming around, but the effect on the audience was no greater than that obtained at looking into the windows of some of our big city furnishing emporiums, where they supply the necessary at so much down and the rest in instalments. In the sketch there was a lot of rubbishy talk relative to an incident in the lady’s career, during which we heard a lot of vague references to Italian nights, skies, and atmosphere, but then we learned she was just dreaming. That habit of talking in one’s sleep must be rather dangerous it strikes one. Anyhow the whole sketch is bosh, and quite unworthy of Constance, who should look out for a little act of a more attractive nature with plenty of music, for she has a voice that is far and away better than you usually hear in light opera’. Sport (Dublin), 2 February 1918.

‘“A Wife’s Dilemma,” a stirring little playlet by Mr. Dion Titheradge, and delightful musical contribution by the Lawrence Wright Ensemble are the chief features in this week’s entertainment at the Grand Theatre. Miss Constance Drever last night did brilliant work in the playlet, and her waltz-song, “Dream long of Love [sic - land],” an original feature, was rendered with finish. Mr. George Bellamy’s “escaped convict” was a clever piece of characterisation’. Birmingham Daily Post, 12 February 1918.

The Yorkshire Evening Post, 23 February 1918, listed Constance Drever in A Wife’s Dilemma at the Theatre Royal, York, in the following week.

‘A remarkable programme is to be offered to patrons of the Liverpool Olympia next week ... Also in the bill [is] “A Wife’s Dilemma” sketch, by Dion Titheradge, in which Miss Constance Drever will introduce a new waltz song, “Dreamland of Love,” supported by leading actors’ (Liverpool Journal of Commerce, 2 March 1918). ‘A programme of unusual strength all round, with plenty of talent and variety, brought crowded houses to Olympia last evening … A sparkling sketch by Dion Titheradge, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” afforded good scope for the clever acting of Miss Constance Drever and Company’ (Liverpool Daily Post, 5 March 1918). ‘Olympia. A programme of outstanding excellence is being submitted this week to huge audiences in this spacious and luxuriously appointed West Derby theatre, where its patrons have had the opportunity at various tithes [sic] of seeing numioeriess “stars” Of the age [sic] … turns [included] a little playlet, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” which was capably acted by Miss Constance Drever and her company’ (Birkenhead News, 6 March 1918). ‘The programme arranged for to-day’s matinée at Olympia in aid of King George’s Fund for Sailors is one of the strongest ever arranged for a Liverpool matinée. It simply sparkles with stars’, including Constance Drever and Co (Liverpool Daily Post, 6 March 1918).

‘Miss Constance Drever, known to all and sundry as a most piquant “Merry Widow,” imparts a wonderful touch to “A Wife’s Dilemma,” the playlet which she brings to Nottingham. It is the story of “a past” which turns out to be merely a figment of the imagination, but Miss Drever keeps her audience on the tip-toe of expectancy to the very last moment, and does it with consummate ease’ (Nottingham Journal, 19 March 1918). ‘Miss Constance Drever, the popular light operatic star, is appearing at the Hippodrome with a capable company in “A Wife’s Dilemma,” a dramatic sketch of absorbing interest, in which an escaped convict plays a prominent part. Miss Drever finds it an excellent medium for the display of her high vocal attainments and for her marked ability as an emotional actress’ (Nottingham Evening Post, 19 March 1918).

‘A variety programme, in which comedy has a large share, is provided at the Tivoli this week, in place of the usual revue. A sketch, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” by Dion Titheradge, is presented by Miss Constance Drever, who has the assistance of Harding Steerman, Alfred Williams, and Arthur Page. A waltz song, composed by Archibald Joyce, “Dreamland of Love,” is well sung by Miss Drever’. Hull Daily Mail, 26 March 1918.

‘Mr. D. J. Clarke is providing a full measure of entertainment for the multitude of Argyle patrons next week … Constance Drever, of musical comedy fame, and her company, are to present “A Wife’s Dilemma”’. Birkenhead News, 30 March 1918.

The Era, 3 April 1918, listed in Calls for Monday 8 April at the Portsmouth Hippodrome a bill that included Constance Drever and company.

The Western Mail, 15 April 1918, advertised at the Newport Empire a bill headed by Constance Drever in A Wife’s Dilemma.

The Edinburgh Evening News, 13 May 1918, advertised at the Theatre Royal a bill headed by the ‘Special engagement of Constance Drever, London’s Leading Musical Comedy Actress, And Full Company, in “A Wife’s Dilemma”’.

‘Variety in excellence is provided at the Empire. The leading item of the attractive programme is the appearance of Miss Constance Drever. This star London artiste appears in a comedy sketch, entitled “A Wife’s Dilemma,” which affords her ample scope for her gifts, both as actress and vocalist’ (Daily Record, 28 May 1918). ‘A varied programme, with several turns of outstanding merit, is presented at the Empire Theatre. Chief prominence is given to Constance Drever, the musical comedy favourite, who appears with her company in “A Wife’s Dilemma.” Miss Drever takes the leading part, in which she has good scope for her vocal and dramatic gifts, and in her waltz song she is specially successful’ (The Scotsman, 28 May 1918).

The Western Evening Herald, 18 June 1918, advertised at the Hippodrome, Devonport, a bill that included Constance Drever and Company in A Wife’s Dilemma.

‘The Finsbury Park Empire is topped by Cicely Courtneidge; “A Wife’s Dilemma,” Dion Titheradge’s latest playlet, with Constance Drever in the principal part, Talbot O’Farrell, Mary Law, the violinist, Chas. Cohen, The Mogadors, and Haley’s Juveniles complete an attractive programme’. The People, 30 June 1918.

‘Varieties make up an attractive programme at the Hippodrome this week, at the head of which is a remarkably clever sketch with Miss Constance Drever in the chief part. It is entitled “The Wife’s Dilemma,” and the dilemma is the appearance in her bedroom of an escaped convict who was her erstwhile lover and whom the warders are hunting. A thrilling and effective scene results, the happy conclusion being that what has happened is dream. Miss Drever, a name well known in musical comedy, acts with much force and has undoubted talent. She sings with rare charm a specially composed waltz song, “Dreamland of love”’ (Derby Daily Telegraph, 9 July 1918). ‘There was another good programme presented at the Hippodrome on Monday … An original sketch by Dion Titheradge, entitled “A Wife’s Dilemma,” was very entertaining. The scene is laid in a bedroom in a country mansion, where Mr. and Mrs. Harker are staying as guests. There has been a fancy dress ball, but just in the small hours of the morning, when the guests are retiring to their rooms, Mr. Harker receives a wire calling him to town immediately. He hurries away to catch his train, leaving his young wife alone in her room. Shortly after his departure a man enters her room, an escaped convict, in whom she recognises her former lover. The officers of the law have tracked him to the house, but he begs of Mrs. Harker to conceal him. At first she declines, but his appeals turn into threats, and she conceals him in her dressing room, where he disguises himself. The police inspector arrives, and Mrs. Harker accounts for the man’s presence by feigning a story which serves the purpose of the moment, but spells ruin to her domestic happiness in the future. When the danger is averted the man endeavours to induce her to elope with him, and when she refuses makes a savage attack upon her, and throws her fainting form on a bed. The whole scene proves to be a dream, and the terrors of the night having dissolved, the story has a happy ending. Miss Constance Drever as Mrs. Harker acts and sings well, whilst as “The Man,” Harry Norman gives a capital account of himself. Harding Hierman, as the husband, plays the part admirably, whilst Alfred Williams makes a typical chief warder’ (Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 13 July 1918).

‘Heading an excellent variety bill at Boscombe Hippodrome this week is Miss Constance Drever, the well-known and beautiful musical comedy actress, who with her company presents an original sketch entitled “A Wife’s Dilemma.” The sketch possesses one or two strong dramatic situations and ends with a complete surprise to the audience, but apart from the playing in which Miss Drever gives evidence of much dramatic talent, a feature is the singing by this lady of the Waltz song “Dreamland of Love,” specially composed by Archibald Joyce’. Bournemouth Graphic, 26 July 1918.

The Kensington Post, 28 June 1918, advertised at the Metropolitan, Edgware Road, from Monday 29 July a bill that included Constance Drever, with no other information about her. Also the Marylebone Mercury, 27 July 1918.

‘Quite another tip-top programme is provided for patrons of the Hippodrome this week. Out of a list of several “star” turns it is almost invidious to make a first selection, but early mention must he made of Constance Drever and Co. in “A Wife’s Dilemma,” an original sketch by Dion Titheradge. It is a tense, dramatic little playlet, in which Miss Constance Drever appears in the principal part to full advantage. The story tells of the midnight adventures of a wife whose husband is suddenly called away; during his absence she receives a visit from an escaped convict, who turns out to be a rejected lover. The denouement, though not unexpected is admirably done. The other three parts are taken with conspicuous ability. An opportunity is given to Miss Drever in the sketch for the display of her wonderful gifts as a singer, her vocal contributions securing for her nightly encores’. Gloucestershire Chronicle, 24 August 1918.

The Chelsea News and General Advertiser, 30 August 1918, advertised at the Chelsea Palace on Monday 2 September and during the week a bill that included Constance Drever & Co. in A Wife’s Dilemma.

At the Empress, Brixton, ‘Constance Drever was heard in splendid voice in the course of a “dream” sketch, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” and strong individual work was put in by the three artists engaged’. The Era, 11 September 1918.

The Stage, 19 September 1918, advertised that week at the Euston Palace, London, ‘The Novelty Sketch of the Year. Miss Constance Drever, London’s Leading Musical Comedy Actress, in A Wife’s Dilemma By Dion Titheradge. A Magical Comedy Drama, with a surprising Finale. The Sketch that has met with enormous success everywhere. First-Class Music Halls Wanted for Future Dates. Shares or certainty. Unexpectedly Vacant Monday Next. Managers are invited to see the above this week. Euston Palace, London’. Also: ‘After a successful tour, Constance Drever is appearing this week at the Euston, in the sketch A Wife’s Dilemma, from the pen of Dion Titheradge, the brother of Madge Titheradge. Miss Drever appears first as the Duchess of Gainsborough and sings a new waltz song’ (The Stage, 19 September 1918).