"THE BAD GIRL OF THE FAMILY"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3092, 24 May 1917, Page 3

"THE BAD GIRL OF THE FAMILY"

: » __ | A POPULAR REVIVAL "The Bad Girl of the Family," a melodrama in tour acts, by Fredk. Melville. .Cast:— Lieut. Kicuaid Marsh, R.N. Maurice Tuohy Harry Gordon -. Edgai , Kenna Lord Erskiue ' Ueorge ilenilerson Barney Gordon W. J., Coulter Jerry Holmes ltobt. Le ltoy Inspector Lawrenco llarry Austin Sammy Snczzle Frunk Neil Bess Moore (the Bad Girl) ' Mabel llardinge Gladys Erskine Kathleen Arnold Sally Smithers (Bess's Friend) Biddie Jlanrthorne To those who appreciate melodrama without any spavins of colour, and with plenty of lively action and broad comedy, the revival of Iredk. Melville's play. "The Bad Girl of tho Family," will doubtless make a- strong appeal. This melodrama has been a conspicuous success both at Home and in the colonies, and that it still has the power to draw audiences'and hold them interested and ainused for nearly three hours was established at the Grand Opera House iast evening, when the BrandonCremer players were the agents. The play, abounds in arch-villainy of tba deepest dye, depicts the heroio struggle of two young -women to keep to the narrow way, and is lightened, even' in its most dramatic passages, by characters that impel hearty laughter from all parts of the house. The "bad girl" is Bess Moore, really a girl of admirable instincts, who has the misfortune to love . Harry Gordon, the unscrupulous son of a comic Jewish money-lender, but the young man tires of his love, and falls in with the plan, of his -wily siro to marry Gladys, the daughter of Lord Erskine, who is brought to agree to the plan by reason of his impecuniosity. But Gladys loves Lieut. Richard Marsh.R.N., and revolts at her father's plot to sell her to the highest bidder. The play culminates when Gladys is dragged to the altar, but at the last moment arranges with Bess Mooro to take her place, so that when tho bride unveils young Gordon finds that he has been hoaxed. There is another scene where the Gordons attempt to get rid of Lieut. Marsh by accusTßghim of shooting Lord Erskine, and another, .where Bess is driven to disable old Gordon with the aid of a revolver, but in the end tho good people win out as they should, and the bad ones get their deserts. A scene that causes a lot of amusement of a"n innocuous character was the dormitory of the ehop vrhero Besa and othor girls are employed. Here the police enter looking' for the bad girl, and are simply "snowed under" with bedclothes by the bad girl's loyal friends.

Miss Mabel Hardinge as Bess Moore gavo a bright and spirited performance throughout, arid handled several scenes discreetly that could very easily bo overdone. Miss Kathleen Arnold filled the emotional role of GTlattys ErsWno satisfactorily, ana Miss Biddie Hawthorno was quite admirable as the gay and giddy Sally Sniithers. Mr. Maunoe Tuohy as Lieut. Marsh acted with manly reserve, and Mr. Edgar Kenna managed to instil all the deadly malevolence that Harry Gordon encompassed. Mr. W. J. Coulter as tho money-lender was a source of great amusement, whilst Mt. Frank Neil emitted an air of brisE comedy as Sammy Snozzle. The melodrama was well produced. The company can give two more performances of "The Bad Girl" only, as that fino old melodrama, "The Silver King," is announced" for performance on Saturday afternoon and evening, and following nights.