This musical comedy was originally produced at the Prince of Wales Theatre,
Birmingham, under the title of Vivien in December, 1915, and was given its London run as My Lady Frayle at the Shaftesbury in March the following year. Cecil Humphreys, who played the part of Lucifer D. Nation both in : Birmingham and in London, is to broadcast in the part tonight. The plot is so excellent that rather more of it will be given in the radio version than is usual with musical comedies.
Briefly, Lady Frayle, a beauty past her prime, is in love with her ward,
Dick Bassett , who has eyes only for Virginia Desborough. Like Faust, she makes a bargain with the devil, who has taken the earthly shape of an American millionaire, Lucifer D. Nation. How she is changed into a young and radiant creature called Vivien Ingoldsby , the price she has to pay, and what comes of it all, is the pith of the play.
Lady Frayle is the most difficult part imaginable, being really two distinct characters in one. Only an actress of Edith Day's ability and versatility could give a convincing interpretation. Patrick Waddington, Betty Huntley Wright, Horace Percival, and Lawrence Baskcomb are other members of an exceptionally strong cast.
'My Lady Frayle' will be repeated in the Regional programme on Thursday at 8.40