All English L’Enfant Prodigue

The Sketch, 1928
All English L’Enfant Prodigue

The author (JTG) of the newspaper review was tickled pink to have an all-English cast of six performers, who they praised very highly:

“To say that the English actors gave a performance of rare unity, subtleness and power is no exaggeration. If Miss Irene Mawer has a stature more commanding than Miss Jane May, who created the part in London, she was none the less juvenile and pathetic. Her falling in love with the piquant blanchisseuse of Miss Bobby Woodcock – a bit of Sevres to behold – was sudden as the blossoming of spring; her chasing of the wasp – a famous episode – was idealised realism; her discomfiture as sad – well, let me say, as young Woodley’s facing his father and his master; and when, finally, ready to be a soldier and to become a man, he stood erect at salute, there was such jubilation in her features and her attitude as roused the audience to enthusiasm.”

Harcourt Williams, who was at the height of his acting fame appeared as the Baron. The following year, Williams became the director of the prestigious Old Vic theatre company in London.

Ruby Ginner glowed in her role as the father of L’Enfant Prodigue.

The review concluded “Withal, this revival is a feather in the cap of its promoters, Miss Ruby Ginner and Miss Irene Mawer.”