Mrs Mason's Alibi
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
Mason is a surgeon who has invented a wonderful anaesthetic. Stern, a German extra villain, tries to make Mrs Mason give him the formula in Mason's absence. They have a violent struggle and then Stern tells her that he was the student who twenty years before, when she was at school in Germany, had decoyed her to his rooms and forcibly seduced her. But it appears that it was really her sister Margaret. Then Mason returns and challenges Stern to an immediate duel. Stern, however, terrified, dies of heart failure. It is rather a painful little play, but there is nothing indecent in it or any reason why it should not be Recommended for license. G. S. Street.
Licensed On: 21 Jul 1915
License Number: 3588
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1915/19
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66105 F
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Metropolitan Music Hall, London | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 2 Aug 1915 | Metropolitan, London | Unknown |
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Cast were: Baron Stern - Mr J Clifford Brooke Dr Mason - Mr J Carrillo Mrs Mason - Miss Mary Neil. "Mr Harry M Vernon's latest contribution to the variety stage is scarcely up to the standard maintained in the bulk of his previous work. The one big scene which absorbs most of its dramatic action is concerned with matter already made familiar by countless melodramas; and also, to tell the truth, one has become rather tired of the cynical and sardonic German villain... The author has a fine grip of his characters, and in the title role, Miss Mary Neil has a part after her own heart. Mrs Mason is the ordinary Englishwoman of the middle-class, who can show pluck, passion and tenacity of purpose when required, and Miss Neil does her full artistic justice. Mr J Clifford Brook is also capital as the German Baron, a character which, although somewhat exaggerated, is true to type as regards cheap cynicism, and an inclination towards stilted sentimentality. Mr L Carrillo very cleverly and naturally completes the cast as the Doctor. The piece is well staged and produced and should do well when Mr Vernon has watered down some of the German Baron's more 'patriotic' utterances. Possibly Bank Holiday exuberance was responsible for some loud objections to them on Monday evening, but they are nonetheless undesirable for all that." (Stage, 5 August 1915)
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| 16 Aug 1915 | Palace, London | Unknown |
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From the Chelsea News and General Advertiser 13 August 1915: "Twice nightly, 6.20 and 8.50, Monday August 16 and during the week." Among the variety acts listed is "Mary Neil & Co in 'Mrs Mason's Alibi'." The same newspaper dated 20 August 1915 reviewed the performance: "Mary Neil and Company successfully present a dramatic little sketch, 'Mrs Mason's Alibi', well staged and powerfully acted"
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