Love And The Law

The People, Sunday 17 February 1918, advertised Love and The Law at the Theatre Royal, Stratford. The Stage, 28 February 1918, advertised, ‘P. T. Selbit presents Love and The Law By Charles Darrell. This play has been produced with enormous and emphatic success, and can be seen next Monday, March 4, at the Elephant and Castle Theatre ...'. That confirms the play was performed before it was presented at the Elephant and Castle Theatre on 4 March 1918.

The Stage, 28 February 1918, advertised, ‘P. T. Selbit presents Love and The Law By Charles Darrell. This play has been produced with enormous and emphatic success, and can be seen next Monday, March 4, at the Elephant and Castle Theatre, with a great cast, including: Miss Mabel Coleman. Miss Muriel Dean. Mr. Chris Olgar. Mr. Edmund Sydney. … this intensely human play ... deals with the present-day social evil, and has a punch that goes right home to crowded audiences’. The Era, 6 March 1918, reviewed Love and The Law, ‘Drama in Six Scenes, Written by Charles Darrell, Produced for the first time [sic] at the Elephant and Castle Theatre on Monday, March 4, 1918’. The cast was: Mr. Onslow Arden, J.P. … Frank Irwin Mr. David Hardmann … Harry Evans Caleb Partmann … J. Adrian Byrne Corporal Dick Treowen … Chris Olgar Freddy Hartop … Eddie Rose P.C. Rosser … Fred Hunter Mrs. Cornelia Partmann … Mabel Coleman Alice Winter … Bettina Forest Nannie Tompkins … Lally Wynn Jane Tipcot … Florence Stanton Constance … Muriel Dean. The Era's review continued: ‘“Love and the Law” made a successful bid for popularity on Monday and should prove a profitable venture for Mr. P. T. Selbit, who presents the play. Constance Hayden is a confidential clerk to a firm contractors, which is run by a woman named Cornelia Partmann, and in the course of her duties discovers gross malpractices committed by her superior. Mrs. Partmann’s ambition is to amass wealth, so that her only son. whom she idolizes, may never “soil his hands with manual work.” This worthy, Caleb Partmann, is an unspeakable blackguard, and squanders the wealth his mother provides him with in betraying young girls. An entanglement of this sort with his mother’s typist, Alice Winter, he denies, with the result that Mrs Partmann instantly dismisses her, and Constance, who takes the girl’s part, is also discharged. Constance meets Caleb and appeals to him to “right” Alice Winter. His reply is to summon a constable and charge her with “soliciting.” Through pressure from Caleb she is sentenced to six months in a reformatory, on the perjured evidence of Alice Winter. After many exciting adventures, and chiefly through the instrumentality of Dick Treowen, who loves and believes in Constance, Alice Winter confesses the wrong she committed, and her bully confederate is sent to 12 months’ “hard,” Constance being honourably acquitted. and free to marry her gallant soldier-lover. An excellent interpretation is given by a capable body of players. Particularly pleasing is the portrayal by clever Miss Muriel Dean of the arduous rôle of the brave Constance; Miss Mabel Coleman well delineates the passion for amassing wealth of Mrs. Cornelia Partmann; while unstinted praise is deserved by Miss Bettina Forest as the wayward Alice Winter. Mr. J. Adrian Byrne as the heartless libertine, Caleb Partmann, plays with great force, and won execrations from pit and gallery for his many villainous crimes. A manly and true-hearted Tommy, Dick Treowen, is capitally portrayed by Mr. Chris Olgar’.

The Stage, 14 March 1918, listed Love and The Law as On Tour from 14 March at the C., St Albans, for three nights.

The Hampshire Telegraph, 15 March 1918, advertised at the Prince’s Theatre, Portsmouth, ‘Next week:- P. T. Selbit presents an entirely novel and original up-to-the-moment Drama, calling the public’s attention to the “Perils of the London streets,” entitled “Love and the Law” by Charles Darrell’.

The Stage, 21 March 1918, listed P. T. Selbit’s Love and The Law at the London Imperial in Calls For Next Week; and Love and The Law as On Tour from 25 March at the Imp., Canning Town.

The Western Evening Herald, 14 October 1918, advertised at the Grand Theatre, Plymouth, ‘The New Drama on the Perils of London Streets – “Love and the Law”’. Maudie B. Douglas, appearing in Love and the Law, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 17 October 1918; her address was ‘G.T., Plymouth (Stock)’.

The Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 23 December 1918, advertised Albert Sember’s company in Love and The Law at the Theatre Royal

The Stanley Carlton Companies advertised in The Era, 29 January 1919, for a ‘Tall Gentleman, for straight character part, Policeman; open Monday, Maidstone’ in Love and The Law. Mr. George Gordon, ‘rehearsing Heavy Lead in new production, Love and The Law’, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 30 January 1919; his address for the following week was the Palace, Maidstone. The Stanley Carlton Companies advertised in The Era, 12 February 1919: ‘Produced last week at Palace Theatre, Maidstone, an entirely new play – “Love and the Law” By Charles Darrell. And played to £413 13s. 9d. on the week. Six nights only, in spite of blizzards. The one and only way to judge a success is by the pay box. Money talks. Judging by the first week’s result of this Play (production week) it going to be another “White Slaves of London,” which is now in its Eleventh Year of tour ... Very many thanks to the 27 Managers who booked the Play, “Love and the Law,” before production. I don’t tell you the Play is a success, but the pay box does. Everything carried and all new for this production’.

‘“Love and the Law,” which is something in the nature of a problem play, has been greatly appreciated by well-filled houses this week at the Prince’s Theatre, where Mr. Stanley Carlton’s Company has given it a very fine presentation’. Hampshire Telegraph, 14 February 1919.

‘At the Grand Theatre a new play entitled “Love and the Law” will be presented for the first time in Nottingham, by Mr. Stanley Carlton’s company’ (Nottingham Journal, 15 February 1919). ‘The dangers that abound in the London streets is the theme of the acceptable drama, “Love and the Law,” presented by the Stanley Carlton company at the Grand Theatre this week. Bright humour affords splendid relief to the sombre background of the story, and the whole centres chiefly on the evil awaiting demobilised men. Mr George Gordon makes the part of Caleb Partman “live,” while the breezy rejoinders of Corporal Dick Treowen give Mr. David Leslie a popular part. Miss Ivy Denny and Miss Winnie Rousley, in their two respective presentations, achieve a high standard of excellence’ (Nottingham Journal, 18 February 1919). ‘The perils of the London streets are Mr. Charles Darrell’s theme in his drama, “Love and the Law,” presented by the Stanley Carlton Company at the Grand Theatre. Sensation and emotion are adroitly combined' (Nottingham Evening Post, 18 February 1919).

‘The Stanley Carlton Company presents at the Dalston Theatre this week a drama by Charles Darrell, entitled “Love and the Law.” Mr. George Gordon represents Caleb Partmann, a person “who cares for no one but himself,” and the story illustrates how this selfishness involves other people in trouble. Miss Ivy Denny pathetically and cleverly enacts the part of Alice Winter; Miss Minnie Watersford gives evidence of much ability in presenting the business-like Mrs. Cornelia Partmann. and other female characters are efficiently represented by Miss Cissie Hall, Miss Florence Garnet, and Miss Minnie Rousby, who is excellent as Constance Haven. Mr. Edwin Turner makes an excellent stipendiary magistrate; Mr. David Leslie acts well as Corporal Dick Treowen (demobilised), and other characters in the cast are well played by Mr. Victor Knight, Mr. Bert Evans, and Mr. C. V. Roselle’ (The Era, 26 February 1919). Edwin Turner, a member of the Love and The Law company, inserted an advertisement for the play in The Stage, 13 March 1919. In it he quoted an ‘unsolicited letter’ dated 1 March 1919 from J. Langdon Lee of the Dalston Theatre: ‘Dear Mr. Turner,-- I am more than pleased with Love and the Law, and, what is of more importance, my audiences were delighted, as final returns proved. The author gets right home in the way he tackles the questions of the Discharged Soldier and the Female Reformatory System. I am sure you have a winner, and I have great pleasure in recommending the Play and Company to my brother managers.-- Yours faithfully, J. Langdon Lee’.

When George Gordon, Heavy Lead in Love and the Law, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 27 February 1919; his address for the following week was Gainsborough and St. Albans. That suggests that performances in the week 3-8 March were split between the two venues, perhaps three days at each.

When George Gordon, Heavy Lead in Love and the Law, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 27 February 1919; his address for the following week was Gainsborough and St. Albans. That suggests that performances in the week 3-8 March were split between the two venues, perhaps three days at each.

When Edwin Turner, a member of the Love and The Law company, inserted an advertisement for the play in The Stage, 13 March 1919, his address was Pav., Pontnewynydd, S. Wales.

The Stage, 13 March 1919, listed Love and The Law Co. at the Llanelly Palace in Calls For Next Week. When Edwin Turner, a member of the Love and The Law company, inserted an advertisement for the play in The Stage, 13 March 1919, his address for the following week was Vint’s Pal., Llanelly, S. Wales. Edwin Turner, whose address was Vint’s Palace, Llanelly, South Wales, advertised in The Stage, 20 March 1919, for theatres for ‘Charles Darrell’s Latest and Greatest Success [Love and the Law]. All New Scenery. A Splendid Production. Enormous Success everywhere. Refer Maidstone, Dalston, Nottingham, Gainsborough, etc. Another Big Week predicted here. Management and audiences delighted. Printing ready’.

The Stage, 24 April and 1 May 1919, listed Love and The Law as On Tour from 28 April at Watford. Also mentioned in Calls For Next Week. ‘The Stanley Carlton Company are this week presenting “Love and the Law”’ at the Palace Theatre, Watford. The Era, 30 April 1919.

‘A drama calling attention to the perils of London streets, entitled “Love and The Law” will be presented next week by the Stanley Carlton Company at the Theatre Royal. It is novel and original’ (Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 13 June 1919). ‘“Love and the Law,” by Charles Darrell, a story of the perils of London streets, was played by the Stanley Charlton [sic] Company at the Theatre Royal last night, before a large audience’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 17 June 1919). ‘In “Love and the Law” [at the Theatre Royal] the Stanley Carlton Company have ample scope. It contains thrilling passages marking the dangers of London streets and how easy it is for a person to be wrongly accused. They score a great success’ (Sheffield Independent, 17 June 1919).

The Derbyshire Courier, 21 June 1919, advertised at the Hippodrome, Chesterfield, ‘Next Week Twice Nightly The Stanley Carlton Co. Present the Novel and Original Drama, “Love and The Law”’. Noted in The Era, 25 June 1919.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 14 July 1919, advertised at the Palace Theatre, Newcastle, ‘Twice Nightly. Special Attraction. The Stanley Carlton Co. Present the Entirely Novel and Original Drama: Love and The Law’. Also, ‘At [the Palace Theatre], last night, an entirely new and original drama was presented by Stanley Carlton ‘s company. “Love and the Law” has indeed much that is entirely original, the while it appeals with no ordinary force to our better feelings and calls forth our warmest sympathy for the victims of Caleb Pertmann and his mother. She is in business while making him an allowance on which he is at liberty to victimise females - the worst possible way, the while he appeals to the police to make things smooth for him. Coming to the acting, Mr. Carlton has put a first rate company on the road. Bertram Oates as the man just mentioned gives an entirely successful account of the part, and Minnie Watersford as the female renders it in a thoroughly artistic fashion. Others who play their parts well are E. Norman Edwards, James C. Walton, J. P. Wright, Sydney King, Queenie Barrett, Marie Cordner and Dallas York’ (Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 15 July 1919).

The Stage, 7 and 14 August 1919, listed Love and The Law as On Tour from 11 August at the R., West Bromwich.

‘Stanley Carlton’s Co. are at the Grand Theatre. There, each evening but Friday, they are to perform a new drama, “ Love and the Law,” dealing with the perils of the London streets. On Friday night, a romantic Spanish drama, “How Far a Girl Can Go,” is to be, substituted’ (Halifax Evening Courier, 30 August 1919). ‘The social-danger play is becoming so familiar as to be the rule rather than the exception. “Love and the Law,” staged this week at the Northgate Theatre, is designed to attract the attention of the public to the perils of the London streets, and, presumably of other streets, How this design is presented, people must see for themselves. It is certainly an absorbing and tragic play. The clever characters in the story are capably represented. Miss Pauline Garside does full justice to Constance Haven, and Mr. Ernest W. Parr, in the vicious, heartless role of Caleb Partmann, acts excellently. Miss Nannie Tomkins is a capital character as disclosed by Miss Florence Garnet, and linked with Mr. Eddie Rose creates some humorous scenes in relief of the tragedy. Miss Minnie Watersford interprets Mrs. Partmann to the life, while Miss Queenie Barrett, though not sufficiently assertive, makes a tragic “unfortunate.” Corporal Dick Treewer [sic] is admirably taken by Mr. E. Norman Edwards. In the remaining parts, Miss Marie Cordner, and Messrs. J. P. Wright, Sydney King, and Edwin Turner perform creditably’ (Halifax Evening Courier, 2 September 1919).

The Era, 10 September 1919, listed Love and The Law as On The Road from 8 September at the Col., Shoreham.

The Era, 10 September 1919, listed Love and The Law as On The Road from 15 September at the Pal., Walthamstow.

The Portsmouth Evening News, 19 October 1922, advertised at the Prince’s Theatre, Portsmouth, for the following week, ‘The Prince’s Popular Company, under the direction of Fred Granville … 96th Week: An entirely new up-to-the-moment Drama, “Love and The Law”’. Also, ‘In celebration of the 96th week of their stay, the Prince’s popular stock company, under the direction of Mr. Fred Granville, present “Love and the Law.” The story, which strikes a note of warning, is an engrossing one, and is pleasingly relieved by humorous situations. It tells in a very realistic manner the torture of an innocent girl who is betrayed by a close friend. She is sent to a reformatory, where her life is one of misery. But her true lover eventually seeks her out, and, after some amusing scenes, is responsible for the appearance in Court of her betrayer. Conflicting scenes hold the attention until the unhappy girl is once more set at liberty. The production, which gives full scope to the talented all-star cost, was accorded a rousing reception last night’ (Portsmouth Evening News, 24 October 1922). The Stage, 26 October 1922, noted, ‘Fred Granville’s stock company present “Love and the Law,” and were accorded a rousing reception at both houses on Monday’.