Charles Mortimer played Ed. Moody, in "Motives" at the Q theatre, London on Monday, 30 June, 1930, for one week.
From The Era of 2 July, 1930. "MOTIVES.” AT THE Q THEATRE A New Play in Three Acts, by Carrol George, produced at the “Q’ Theatre, Kew Bridge, on Monday, June 30th, 1930. Anne Tucker - Jane Wood Sally Simpson - Florence Tyrrell Ed. Moody - Charles Mortimer Jack Tucker - Hubert Woodward Henry Kimball - Geo. Mulcaster Jem Moody - Edward Ashley Sam Andrews - Ernest Kandall Flossie Withers - Lena Anderson May Kimball - Mollie Dutchman The Sheriff - Frederick Keen Alex White - James Willard Producer Martin Lewis It is good to see a new production at the Q Theatre again, and the authorities there have certainly no reason to be ashamed of "Motives,” which was put on for a week’s run on Monday. The theme of Motives may as rugged as its setting, the action of one or two of its characters may be difficult to stomach, but there is good matter for drama in its composition, and every acting opportunity is seized by its protagonists. Briefly the story is of one Anne who, trapped by her father into becoming the mistress of his employer, has to bear the consequences of her action for the rest of her life. Even when she escapes to the arms of Henry, whom she loves and eventually marries, Fate in the person of her illegitimate child still pursues her. In fact, it is eighteen years after the play’s commencement that the larger portion of the action takes place, and many are the dramatic moments which are contrived from the circumstance that all the bad traits of the grandfather come out in the boy. It has been hinted earlier the play is excellently acted. What better choice than Miss Jane Wood, for instance, to plumb the dramatic possibilities of Anne, girl and woman, whilst Mr. G. H. Mulcaster is of course perfectly cast as the rugged Henry, who finds his married life so rudely disturbed. Mr. Charles Mortimer has difficulty in depicting the varying moods of the employer; Miss Lena Anderson has again opportunity of exhibiting her versatility as the highly-coloured Flossie; Miss Florence Tyrrell brings her practised touch to the part of the sympathetic elderly neighbour, and Miss Mollie Dutchman conveys a particularly pleasant impression as the young girl in the later stages of the play. If there is any surprise at all it is the remarkably masterly study of the unspeakable father put in by Mr. Hubert Woodward. But that is to forgot the big histrionic reputation held by Mr. Woodward before he became even more famous as an entrepreneur. |
From The Stage of 3 July, 1930, "Mr Charles Mortimer is equally satisfying."
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