Divorce or Dishonour

‘A new drama on marriage reform, entitled “Divorce or Dishonour,” by Mr. Frederick H. U. Bowman, will be produced for the first time on any stage at the Grand Theatre, Plymouth, next week’ (Western Evening Herald, 17 August 1918). ‘On Monday evening, August 19, 1918, at the Grand, Plymouth, was produced a drama, in six scenes, by Frederick H. U. Bowman, entitled:- Divorce or Dishonour’. The cast was: Desmond Ray, Walter H. Wilson; Stephen Gledsdale, Eric Morden; Dr. Joseph Trench, John Durant; Roger Beverley, C. Alan Hineson; Lionel Kirk, Joseph Poulton; Pat Summer, Fred Rignold; Dolly Adair, May Day; Annie Elvira, Maudie B. Douglas; Florence Beverley, Violet Ingram. ‘The play, which suggests drastic reforms in our marriage laws and customs, is of an exciting character and full of thrilling incidents. It sustained the interest of the large audience which greeted its production. The plot deals with the problem of a young wife married to a confirmed inebriate. On account of his habits she is torn with despair in her endeavour to fulfil what she considers her duty in accordance with the marriage contract, and is tempted to seek consolation by a former lover, who is a villainous adventurer. While the theme is essentially serious, the play is relieved by a substantial measure of comedy rather broad at times. Miss Violet Ingram portrays the wife with much skill, her acting in the emotional moments being especially good. Mr. C. Alan Hineson as Roger Beverley, the husband, goes [sic] his work well. Mr. Eric Morden acts with power as the sinister villain, Stephen Gledsdale. In the part of the hero, Desmond Ray, alias “Swanky Smart,” Mr. Walter H. Wilson finds much scope for his undoubted abilities. Mr. John Durant gives a good performance of Dr. Joseph Trench, the villain’s accomplice. The part of Lionel Kirk, a detective, is well sustained by Mr. Joseph Poulton. Miss May Day as Dolly Adair, Smart’s accomplice, gives a capable assumption of the part. The comic rôles are well undertaken by Miss Maudie B. Douglas and Mr. Fred Rignold. The piece is given at two houses nightly’ (The Stage, 22 August 1918). ‘Frederick H.-U. Bowman has just completed a new drama in four acts entitled, “Divorce, or Dishonour,” which deals in trenchant and dramatic fashion with one of the most poignant problems of the present day - namely, the hardship of the Divorce Laws. There can be little question that a play of this description will make people think; for the stage, like the kinema screen, can bring home to the public arguments in a way which is both effective and forcible. The main points raised are the suggested grounds for extending divorce facilities to persons unhappily married to drunkards, lunatics, and convicts sentenced to prison for life’ (Kinematograph Weekly, 22 August 1918). The Era, 28 August 1918, reviewed Divorce or Dishonour?: ‘Drama, in Six Scenes, by Frederick H. U. Bowman, produced at the Grand, Plymouth, on Aug. 19’. The cast as listed in The Stage, 22 August 1918, except that ‘Durant’ is spelled ‘Dinant’ in the cast list. ‘The action of “Divorce or Dishonour,” which contains many thrilling incidents, opens in a drawing-room in Roger Beverley’s house, where swanky Smart and Dolly have come in search of a diamond necklace. Desmond Ray, a famous detective, and Detective Kirk later appear and discuss the recovery of the necklace, also a daring robbery of a bag containing a silver idol, which they attribute to Swanky Smart. Florence Beverley returns from the opera, accompanied by Gledsdale, who endeavours to persuade her to leave her husband on account of his drinking habits. This the loyal wife refuses to do. Meanwhile, Roger Beverley comes home accompanied by Dr. Joseph Trench (alias Cyril Knowleton), who discloses to Florence and Stephen that Roger’s constant drinking will send him mad. The two adventurers plan to get Roger into an asylum. Previously Roger had been speculating on the Stock Exchange, and lost heavily, and Florence had stolen the necklace to raise money to clear her husband’s name. Her courage fails her, and she is here discovered by Desmond Ray, who advises her to return the necklace by post, and gives her a cheque for the amount. Florence then tells Desmond about the loss of the idol given her by her father which contains valuable information concerning a gold mine, and asks his assistance to get it restored. Returning later with the idol, Desmond is charged by Gledsdale with being Swanky Smart, the criminal. Later, in a struggle between Roger, who has escaped from the asylum, and Gledsdale, Roger is killed, and Gledsdale makes his escape. The house catches fire, and Desmond, being awakened, saves Florence. Desmond is accused of the murder, and sentenced to penal servitude, but escapes, and after many thrilling situations forces Gledsdale to confess that it was he who murdered Roger. Mr. Walter H. Wilson as Desmond Ray, alias Swanky Smart, acted cleverly; and Miss Violet Ingram as Florence Beverley, the young wife, gave a finished and impressive portrayal. Miss May Day as Dolly Adair, and Mr. Eric Morton [sic] as Stephen Gledsdale also did well; Miss Maudie Douglas and Mr. Fred Rignold, as the maid-of-all-work and the police constable, were responsible for much appreciated comedy relief; and Mr. John Durant as Dr. Joseph Trench, Mr. Alan Hineson as Roger Beverley, and Mr. Joseph Poulton as Lionel Kirk, were all good. The play was well received’ (The Era. 28 August 1918).

‘Next week, at the Lyric, “Divorce or Dishonour,” by a local author, Mr. Frederick H. U. Bowman, is to be produced. Bert Lester, with Sadie Thomas, June James, Dennis Renton, George Millford, Edwin Beverley, Kathie Copel, and Harrison Davis all have important parts’. Liverpool Echo, Friday 31 May 1929.