Gables Theatre, Surbiton

‘The project to provide Surbiton with a permanent repertory theatre, to be known at the Mirror Theatre, deserves success if only for the fact that the district is but scantily served in the way of theatrical entertainment. In a foreword to his programme, Mr. Michael Raghan, the director of the company, states that no large financial backing is behind their enterprise; the venture to produce plays of merit by known and unknown authors must stand or fall according to public support. The company are temporarily housed at the Gables Theatre (opposite the down platform of Surbiton Station), where the season began on Wednesday evening (November 7) with a performance of Arnold Bennett’s “The Title” ... The performance of “The Title” was fair, but the voice of the prompter was too frequently heard. Mr. Robert English had the correct conception of Mr. Culver, and Miss Evelyn Cecil was good as Mrs. Culver. Miss Renée Rubens played naturally as the young journalist, and the young brother was unaffectedly done by Mr. Mathew Norgate; while Mr. Charles Koop was well suited to the part of the newspaper proprietor. Miss Marjorie Clarke Jervoise was the Miss Starkey, and Mr. Michael Raghan the Sampson Straight, the cast being completed by Miss Mona Crofte as the Parlourmaid. There was a good audience’. The Stage, 15 November 1923.