Nell's Luck

Review of ‘Nell’s Luck’, a sketch in one scene, produced at the Euston on Monday 1 April. ‘The scene is laid in a parlour behind Nell’s shop. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, Nell’s parents, are complaining of her waste of money in preparation for her husband’s homecoming from the trenches. Nell returns in a taxi with crowds of parcels, and we learn that Jim is to become a father. A telegram announcing Jim’s arrival is anxiously awaited, but when the wire comes Nell swoons. Her mother, on reading it, tells the young wife it is not for her, and as she is rushing out Jim arrives. Miss Mary Neil as Nell uses her low comedy powers and emotional skill to great advantage, and makes a big success. Mr. Harry Lofting and Miss Ada Roscoe as Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were good, and the part of Jim was ably played by Mr. D. Tremayne’. The Era, 3 April 1918. ‘“Nell’s Luck” is quite an interesting and amusing little piece which touches upon the domestic side of the wear in convincing and realistic fashion. It is scarcely original in its theme, for the central idea employed by the author has been used before. The story reveals a high-spirited young wife, Nell, who is carrying on her husband’s business during his absence in active service, and is in expectation of the news of the erstwhile bread-winner’s home-coming on leave. Preparations for the eagerly anticipated event are in a high state of readiness, when a telegram is received conveying bad tidings. The wire is ultimately discovered to have been delivered at the wrong address, and Nell has scarcely had time to recover from the shock before her husband is clasping her in his arms. Miss Neil invests the principal character with commendable simplicity and naturalness, and upon occasion rises to a high plane of dramatic ability. She has capital and consistent supporters in Harry Lofting and Ada Roscoe as Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, Nell’s rather unsympathetic parents, while D. Tremayne makes an impressive Jim. The piece is followed with intense interest, and the action is punctuated with hearty laughter and applause’. The Stage, 4 April 1918.

The Era, 10 April 1918, listed ‘Mary Neil and company in “Nell’s Luck”’ in Next Week’s Calls, Monday 15 April, at East Ham (one of London’s syndicate halls). ‘Managers and Agents, See Mary Neil in her latest comedy study “Nell’s Luck.” “Is a brief, almost too brief, little play – sans sensationalism and minus morbidity – acted with true humour by Miss Mary Neil.” – Vide Referee. “An amusing little piece followed with intense interest, punctuated with hearty laughter and applause.” – Stage. This week, East Ham (7.20 and 9.30); next week, Brixton’. The Stage, 18 April 1918.

The Era, 17 April 1918, listed ‘Mary Neil and Co. in “Nell’s Luck”’ in Next Week’s Calls, Monday 22 April, at the Empress, Brixton (one of London’s syndicate halls). ‘Managers and Agents, See Mary Neil in her latest comedy study “Nell’s Luck.” “Is a brief, almost too brief, little play – sans sensationalism and minus morbidity – acted with true humour by Miss Mary Neil.” – Vide Referee. “An amusing little piece followed with intense interest, punctuated with hearty laughter and applause.” – Stage. This week, East Ham (7.20 and 9.30); next week, Brixton’. The Stage, 18 April 1918.

The Era, 24 April 1918, listed ‘Mary Neil and Co. in “Nell’s Luck”’ in Next Week’s Calls, Monday 29 April, at London Granville. The Fulham Chronicle, Friday 26 April 1918, advertised for Monday 29 April, ‘twice nightly and during the week’, ‘Mary Neil & Company in “Nell’s Luck”’ at The Granville, Walham Green.

The Stage, 16 May 1918, advertised ‘Managers and Agents, See Mary Neil in her latest comedy study “Nell’s Luck.” “Is a brief, almost too brief, little play, acted with true humour by Miss Mary Neil.” – Vide Referee. “An amusing little piece followed with intense interest, punctuated with hearty laughter and applause.” – Stage. This, Surrey (7.30 and 9.30); next, Collins’.

The Stage, 16 May 1918, advertised ‘Managers and Agents, See Mary Neil in her latest comedy study “Nell’s Luck.” “Is a brief, almost too brief, little play, acted with true humour by Miss Mary Neil.” – Vide Referee. “An amusing little piece followed with intense interest, punctuated with hearty laughter and applause.” – Stage. This, Surrey (7.30 and 9.30); next, Collins’.

The Era, 22 January 1919, listed ‘Mary Neil in “Nell’s Luck”’ in Next Week’s Calls, Monday 27 January, at Pontypridd Town Hall. Similarly The Stage, 23 January 1919.