A Question Of Identity
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
Sir Ralph, a diplomat, returning unexpectedly to his rooms at the Ritz-Carlton finds there a woman who, mistaking him for a friend of Sir Ralph’s, pretends to be the latter's wife, unhappily separated from him and now seeking an interview. Smelling a rat the diplomatists accepts the situation, and by the aid of a man who chances to call and whom he induces to pose as the imaginary wife's husband he soon fools the fair intruder to such an extent that she confesses to being a spy, acting for the Valacian Secret Service in search of important documents which he has safe in his pocket all the time. With more chivalry than common sense he lets the woman go instead of handing her over as he should to the Police. In spite of this glorification of British stupidity in such matters the ingenious trifle may be Recommended for License Ernest A. Bendall
Researcher's Summary:
Soldiers and Sailors Families Association. On Monday evening the Entertainments Committee of this hard-working organisation gave its members and friends a treat the Warwick Repertory Company providing a programme of genuine entertainment. The first piece was a two-act play (produced for the first time) "The Girl in the Automobile" followed by (also for the first time) a new sketch - put on according to the announcement in place of another - this sketch entitled "A Question of Identity." Both pieces proved highly amusing. "A Question of Identity'" by Thelma Cohen in this quite excellent little sketch the acting was good all round. A spy is followed to a diplomat's rooms; she is searching for papers. She has been followed, but the police are not certain of her identity. By a ruse the diplomat, with the aid of a friend, forces the spy into confession of her real name, and she is given over to the police. The spy was played by Miss Ethel Samuel in dramatic fashion. The diplomat and his friend by Mr. Grant Molene and Mr. Archie Collins respectively, with the light touches which contrasted well with the earnestness of the trapped spy. Thoroughly up to date, the play was well received. (West Ham and South Essex Mail Friday 26 January 1917)
Licensed On: 21 May 1915
License Number: 3468
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British Library Reference: LCP1915/14
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66100 Q
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Theatre, Worthing | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 22 Jan 1917 | [No Theatre Listed], | Amateur |
Read Narrative
Soldiers and Sailors Families Association. On Monday evening the Entertainment Committee of this hard-working organisation gave its members and friends a treat the Warwick Repertory Company providing a programme of genuine entertainment. The first piece was a two-act play (produced for the first time) "The Girl in the Automobile" followed by (also for the first time) a new sketch - put on according to the announcement in place of which it had been intended to play, entitled "A Question of Identity." Both pieces proved highly amusing. "A Question of Identity" by Thelma Cohen in this quite excellent little sketch the acting was good all round. A spy is followed to a diplomat's rooms
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| 9 Feb 1917 | Cripplegate Institute, London | Amateur |
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Play in one-act by Thelma Cohen. Produced at the Cripplegate Institute on Feb.9. Sir Ralph Anstey. Mr. Grant Moline Bertie Andrews. Mr. Stanley T. O'Croom Evelyn Waycott Miss Ethel Samuel Chambermaid Miss Phyllis Samuel This new one-act play presented by the Warwick Repertory Club at a bohemian concert given at the Cripplegate Institute proved to be a well-written piece with an ingenious plot, neatly played Sir Ralph Anstey a Government official is staying at a West End hotel and a paragraph appears in the newspapers to the effect that it is his intention to spend the weekend in the country. In his supposed absence, a lady in evening dress obtains admission to his rooms, and, is interrupted in the hurried search she is making by the return of Sir Ralph who has not gone away to the country after all. The mysterious visitor, to whom he is evidently unknown, asks him his business declaring that she is Sir Ralph's wife. He in reply states that he is an intimate friend of the occupier of the flat, and expected to find him there. The lady there upon tells a story of how, ten years ago, Sir Ralph married her in Australia but cruelly deserted her and her purpose in entering his apartments in his absence is to make a search for certain incriminating letters which will furnish evidence for the divorce proceedings she intends taking. There is a knock at the door, and the lady acts upon the suggestion that she shall remain in the adjoining room while it is ascertained who the visitor is. Sir Ralph's friend, Bertie Andrews, enters, and is persuaded to impersonate the Government official on the lady's return. She declares that she has never seen the new arrival before, while he asserts as positively that he is her husband, Sir Ralph Anstey. The lady is made to realise that she has been trapped, and at length admits that she is Evelyn Waycott a notorious spy in the pay of the German Government and that the object of her search was certain papers she knew to be in Sir Ralph's possession. He allows her to depart but has arranged that the spy shall be arrested as she leaves the hotel. Mr. Grant Moline was natural and effective in his impersonation of Sir Ralph, and Miss Ethel Samuel did well as the female spy; while Mr. Stanley T. O'Croom gave excellent support as Bertie Andrews. (The Era - Wednesday 14 February 1917)
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