''The Lights o' London'' is a

melodrama A modern melodrama is a dramatic work in which the plot, typically sensationalized and for a strong emotional appeal, takes precedence over detailed characterization. Melodramas typically concentrate on dialogue that is often bombastic or exces ...

tic play, by

George R. Sims George Robert Sims (2 September 1847 – 4 September 1922) was an English journalist, poet, dramatist, novelist and ''bon vivant''. Sims began writing lively humour and satiric pieces for ''Fun'' magazine and ''The Referee'', but he was soon co ...

, first produced in London on 10 September 1881 at the

Princess's Theatre The Princess's Theatre or Princess Theatre was a theatre in Oxford Street Oxford Street is a major road in the City of Westminster in the West End of London, running from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch via Oxford Circus. It is Europ ...

, produced by and starring

Wilson Barrett Wilson Barrett (born William Henry Barrett; 18 February 1846 – 22 July 1904) was an English manager, actor, and playwright. With his company, Barrett is credited with attracting the largest crowds of English theatregoers ever because of his suc ...

. The play was a hit, running for 226 nights, and was frequently revived thereafter. It also opened in New York at the

Union Square Theatre Union Square Theatre was the name of two different theatres near Union Square, Manhattan, New York City. The first was a Broadway theatre that opened in 1870, was converted into a cinema in 1921 and closed in 1936.(8 October 1921)Two landmarks to ...

in December 1881 and was revived twice on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

.In August 1883 at the Grand Opera House (formerly Pike's). The play was twice made into silent films, both titled ''Lights of London'', in

1914 This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. It als ...

, directed by

Bert Haldane Bert Haldane (1871–1937) was a British film director of the silent era. Filmography Filmography - based on IMDb - is complete. 1910 *'' Coals of Fire'' (1910) *'' Tried and Found True'' (1910) *'' Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters'' ( ...

and 1923, directed by Charles Calvert.

Synopsis

Harold Armytage and Bess Marks elope. Harold's father is rich but after the elopement disowns him. Clifford Armytage, Harold's scheming cousin, and Seth Preene, a friend of Harold's father, frame innocent Harold for a crime so that Clifford will inherit the father's money instead of Harold. Seth aids Clifford because he hopes that his daughter, Hetty (who declares "I hate poor people"), would then marry Clifford and become rich. Harold is convicted and sentenced to gaol but escapes and is helped by an elderly couple to find Bess again. Meanwhile, Seth visits Hetty in London. She has become Clifford's mistress. After Harold rescues Seth from drowning, Seth decides to confess his crime so Harold will receive his inheritance and Clifford will get the punishment he deserves.

Roles and original cast

*Harold Armytage –

*Clifford Armytage – E. S. Willard *Seth Preene – Walter Speakman *Jarvis – George Barrett *Philosopher Jack – Charles Coote *Irish Policeman – Barney Cullen *Aubrey De Vere, Esq. – Arthur Scott *Bess Marks – Miss Eastlake *Hetty Preene – Emeline Ormsby *Mrs. Jarvis – Mrs. Stephens *Shakespeare Jarvis – Eugene Edwards

References

;Notes

External links

''The Lights o'London''
at the IBDB Broadway database
Theatre poster from a revivalIMDb article on the 1922 film version
1881 plays English plays British plays adapted into films {{1880s-play-stub