"UNDER COVER"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2662, 6 January 1916, Page 7

"UNDER COVER"

WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC CO.

"Under Cover," a drama, in four acts, by Roi Cooper Megrue. Cast:— James Duncan Leonard Stephens Harry Gibbs Austin 2-lilroy Peter Frank Court Daniel Taylor Shop Camp Sarah Peabody Clarice Buckinan Ethel Cartwright Muriel Starr Amy Cartwright Nellie Braniley Michael Harrington Sydney Stirling Lambert Frank Harcourt Noi'ali Rutledge Florence Hcston Alico Harrington Gertrudo Boswell Monty Vaughan ... Hobart J. Cavunaugh Stephen Denby Charles A. Millward Wo have had the internal organisation of the police service revealed to us in "The Third Degree" and "Within tho Law," the prison system in "Alias Jimmy Valentine," and the German spy system in "Tho Man Who Stayed at Home." In Megrue's most ingenious and entertaining play, "Under Cover," which succeeded in captivating a largo audience at the Grand Opera Houso last evening, an exposition of tho alleged devices of the United States Government to capture "grafters" in its service is given. In a country where "graft" grows as readily as potatoes, one may uccept it that "graft" does exist in the Customs as it i 6 known to exist in the police service, so it is legitimate for Mr. Megrue to assume that now and again the Government has a virtuous moment in which it endeavours to prevent itself being robbed by highly-paid officials. Tho atory is ingenious and original, the action provides a series of real thrills, and the surprise at the end is a delightful one. "Under Cover" opens in a way-up Customs office that overlooks the flat roofs of New York City. There it is explained by Daniel Taylor, a deputyinspector, that a valuable diamond necklace has been purchased in Paris by one Stephen Denby, who is a passenger by tlie Mauretania, due to arrive that afternoon. Taylor has his own peculiar ideas as to how the smuggler is to bo caught. His plan is to let Denby go through with tho necklace, and get him in a more subtle and picturesque manner, with tho aid of Ethel Cartwright, a society young lady, who has consented to act as a secret Customs agent, to protect her sister, whose crime of theft and fraud'is known to Taylor, of the Custonis. Miss Cartwright is shocked to learn that her wits must be employed against Denby, as she happens to be week-ending with the Harringtons, at 1 whose palatial home Denby is also a guest. But Taylor, with the threat of imprisonment for hor sister, insists on Ethel going through with the task, whilst she, poor girl, lias fallen head over heels in lovo with the man she is being forced to' send to prison. Her information is to the effect that the necklaco is concealed in his tobacco pouch, but in her anxiety to find out she raises Denby's suspicions as to her bona fides, and he leaves the pouch on the table purposely to see Tyhat happens. She finds that it contains nothing but tobacco, but Ethel's actions confirm Stephen's suspicions, and to test her still further he hands a packago to his friend Monty Vaughan to be locked in a drawer in his room. She biies at the chance of getting the diamonds, though hating herself for it, and at once goes upstairs. The next act sees her at work trying to force the drawer. Denby onters to find an incriminating knife and scratches on the drawer. _ Then making believe to go downstairs, he turns down tho lights, and leaves. She slides into the darkened room onco more, and is suddenly confronted by Deuby, now convinced that her protestations of friendship are a' fraud. He admits the smuggle; sho confesses herself an agent of the Customs, who must and will recover the diamonds. Finding, her dangerous, he locks the doors, resolving to compromise her, rather than be taken. In a very real emotional soehe, Ethel tells the tale of hor sister's crime, and Taylor's hold over her on that account, and that all the time sho loves him—how she loves him. Then Stephen believes himself capable of fighting the whole German army. A • 'signal; given accident, brings Taylor through the window with a gun, but. by a clever ruse Stephen switches off the lights, breaks a burglar alarm, rouses the household, and denounces Taylor as a burglar. Having done so, he vanishes. Taylor's men appear to establish his identity as a Government official. It is Ethel who brings Stephen Denby to light again, with Taylor concealed behind a screen to Piston to any incriminating talk. In this interview with Ethel, Stephen confesses everything, mid actually produces the necklace, when Taylor dashes out with some gunplay, and makes his second arrest. There there is a lovely scene between the two. Stephen says that it would be such a pity to drag the girl into it, and lie would just hate to go 10 prison. Mention is made of 20,000 dollars, but is set aside by Stephen remarking what a pity he was not dealing with "a business man." " "Not for dollars," says Taylor. '>3ut I wouil make it 30,000 dollars—in cash insinuates Stephen. At that, Taylor doses and calls off his men, but Stephen has a word or two with J ": em ere they depart, finds that Taylor, is wo;kmg alone, • exposes 'him as a contemptible grafter, and shows his commission as a secret agent of tlie Customs, whose business has been to hunt down big grafters in the service. Iho surprise is complete. Taylor has b hand over the necklaco (which is fake), and the 30,000 dollars, and goes ® , in custody, whilst Stephen and Ethel find happiness in one another's arms> Miss Muriel Starr is piquant and charming m every line of the play, and never onco does her sense of tlramatio values lead her astray in poise or intonation. Even licSr cry tones have the deep thrill of a G string well, played. As Stephen Denby Mr. Charles Millward was seen to the best advantage yet. Tlie part is delightfully written, and Mr. Millward is as grippy in the dramatic scenes as his light touch is diverting in the comedy scenes Mr. Shep. Camp, as Taylor, was tlie objectionably common slang-slinging laukee official to the lifo, though ho did not get all the dramatic grit that is, in the.part. Miss Florence Heston as a "flapper" was quite charinihg. and Mouty Vaughan was amusingly played by Mr. 11. .1, Cavanaugh. Miss BosWcll was well suited as Mrs. Harrington, and Mr. Sydney Stirling maclo Harrington an ingratiating old cocktaillover. The drama is capitally mounted. It is easily tho best bill of tlie present season. "Under Cover" will be played up to and including Saturday night.