'THE EVER OPEN DOOR'

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 7

'THE EVER OPEN DOOR'

WILLOUGHBY DRAMATIC COMPANY "The Ever Open Door," a melodrama in five aots, by Geo. R. Sims. Cast;— Miriam Lady Dereham ... Miss Vera Remce llobbie Miss Nellie Holroyd Maggie Miss Edic Sinotto May Hies Oriel Hotson Sister Lil Miss M'Phereon Molly Dundon Mta Connie Martyn Father Clement Mr. George CrOES Jiord Dereham Mr. Ilouald Kilcy. Hon. Chas. Avcling Mr. Maurice Nodin fc'ergt. (fathers Mr: L. Budcriclc Jim Dupdon Mr.. 0. 0, Francis Bwanhie Dottles Mr. F. Neill Tom Slatter Mr. D. A, Drayton It is some time since "Dagonet" has come directly under notice as a dramatist, though some five and twenty Tears ago he was a fairly proljfio writer for the melodramatio stage. The long interval has not improved his touch, if "The Ever Open Door" he accepted as evidence of ins latter-day powers. It is a drama depicting the sordid side of London life which ever appealed to Geo. It. Sims, but there is no advance bi liia style. The audience is taken into the confidence of the author so early in the play that the element of surprise—the most. treasured as6et of the modern dramatist—is completely eliminated. At one moment the audience is informed that the heroine has murdered her own child in Westminster, and in the next that she is joining a mission, the object of which is to save the life and souls of children in that quarter of London, so that one fully expects what happens, and the interest is supped from the outsat. Still many who can bs satisfied with the emotional superficialities of the moment appreciate 'The Ever Open Door." Miriam Lady Dereham is the heroine, who, whilst an unacknowledged wife, beais a child in a den that she is taken to by Lord Dereham (her husband's brother). After her recovery, she is told by Dereham and the hag that had attended to her (Molly Dundon) that she has murdered her baby whilst temporarily deranged. Years afterwards, when a widow, she resolves to make amends and joins the sisterhood of the Evor Open Door Mission, and as auch rescues Bobbie (her own child) and Maggie Dundon from the clutches of their evil parents. The irate Molly, who has been paid to look after Bobbie, makes a strenuous effort to get him back, after he has endeavoured to save some valuable plate in the Mission Church (the gift of Miriam) from being stolen by Dundon and his companion in crime, Tom Slatter, whioh incident forms the big scene of the play. Bobbie is taken to a home and oared for, and there Molly recognises Miriam ae the woman who was supposed to have murdered her own child. She promptly uses this information in an attempt to Beoure the person of Bobbio, but an elusive person who is only known by the name of May, and who was Dereham's confidante, turns up with the truth, giving Miriam back her child, and at the same moment placing Dereham and the ancient Molly in their rightful places in the moral calendar. Father Clement, the head of the mission, lias of course helped to bring this about, but ho is extraneous to the main thread of the plot, which is devoid of a strong lovo interest. Miss Vera Romee, a talented actress with a low vibrant voice, plays Miriam with simple unaffectedness and charm, that would have graced a bettor part ii a sounder play. Mr. George Cross was over made-up as Father Clement, which blended rather incongruously tho youtl of the early 'twenties, with the snowj hair of an octogenarian. He acted with restraint, but the role never gave ai , opportunity for impressiveness norartis- , tio subtlety. The part of Robbie, i , street urchin with a heart of gold, wai , capitally played by Miss Nellie Holrovd . who made an extremely likeable an< manly boy, both in hor raga and gla< clothes. His chum; Maggie, who ii troubled with the Camille cough and ii forced to sing hymns in the street U raise gin money for her mother, wa* played by an aggressively healthy aiu well-developed girl named Miss Edii Sinott. Her acting was quite good, bu she was never physically in the picture . Miss Oriel Hotson was the erring May ; and Miss MTherson was bright am , bieezy as Sister Lil. The role of Lori L Dereham was stiffly played by Mr. Ron , aid Riley. Mr. F. Noil as the cockne; Swankie Dottles played on cheer; j vaudeville lines, and Mr. L. Budericl made a convincing sergeant-deteotive I The melodrama is fairly well mounted ! the church scene being particularly effeo tive. ! "The Ever Open Door" will be playe< t again to-night and to-morrow night i "Under Two Flags" is due on Thursda 1 [ evening, 1 ""