Loophole

Premiere, under the title EMERGENCY EXIT. For the play’s next production, in July 1948, it would assume its definitive title, LOOPHOLE.

5th May 1948 – Dundee Evening Telegraph: “first play to touch on the abolition of the death sentence since Parliament debated the subject”.

Cast & Crew

Cast

Beatrice Tranling
Emrys Garron
Frances Tranling
Inspector Bloot
Iris Wilson
Professor Richard Wilson

Crew

Producer
Art Director

Photographs

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Play description

Also known as EMERGENCY EXIT, the play is constructed around six characters:

• Professor Richard Wilson DSc FRS – botanist and biochemist
• Enrys Garron – estate agent’s assistant
• Inspector Bloot – of the County Constabulary
• Iris Wilson (formerly Tranling) – wife of Richard Wilson
• Frances Tranling – younger sister of Iris
• Beatrice Tranling – actress sister of Iris and Frances

The plot centres on Frances Tranling, a ‘delicate’ young woman who, on the edge of insanity, is a source of endless worry to her sister (Iris Wilson) and brother-in-law (the Professor). Her ultimate fate is decided when she makes a maniacal attempt to fight a man she wrongly trusted (Enrys Garron) and is threatened with being incarcerated. She attempts suicide three times, only to be rescued each time by her sister. However, driven to despair, the sister finally turns mercy killer.

ACT 1:
Scene 1 – A morning in April.
Scene 2 – After lunch the same day.

ACT 2:
Scene 1 – Late in August 6pm.
Scene 2 – A moment later.
Scene 3 – Fine minutes later.

ACT 3:
Scene 1 – An hour later.
Scene 2 – A moment later.
Scene 4 – Next morning 11am.
Scene 5 – That night 12.30am.

Observations

  1. On 10th April 2023 at 6:39 p.m., APTSArchive noted:

    This performance was heralded as a ‘world premier’ of the play with Macgregor Urquhart being present on the opening night. He addressed the audience after the numerous curtain calls. Cecil Madden visited the theatre during the run of the play.
    However, the play appeared under the title of “Emergency Exit”. It would appear the title of the play changed around June 1948,  as on 19th July 1948  it was staged at the Scala Theatre in Dartford under the title of “Loophole”.

    The play is constructed around six characters:
    • Professor Richard Wilson DSc FRS – Botanist and Biochemist
    • Enrys Garron – Estate Agent’s Assistant
    • Inspector Bloot – Of the County Constabulary
    • Iris Wilson (formerly Tranling) – Wife of Richard Wilson
    • Frances Tranling – Younger sister of Iris
    • Beatrice Tranling – Actress sister of Iris & Frances

    The plot centres around Frances Tranling, a ‘delicate’ young woman who, on the edge of insanity, is a source of endless worry to her sister (Iris Wilson) and brother-in-law (the Professor). Her ultimate fate is decided when she makes a maniacal attempt to fight a man, she wrongly trusted, (Enrys Garron), and is threatened with being incarcerated. She attempts suicide three times, only to be rescued each time by her sister. However, driven to despair, the sister turns mercy killer.

    Several articles or reviews of the play made reference to it raising the question of the abolition of the death sentence. This was still quite topical as the subject had been debated in Parliament quite recently.

    For good measure there were sliding panels, smugglers caves, shining daggers, and screams in the dark. All enhanced by thunder and lightning.

    Adverts for the play appeared in the following:
    • Dundee Evening Telegraph – 08–05–1948
    • Arbroath Herald – 14–05–1948

    Reviews:
    • Dundee Evening Herald – 11–05–1948
    • The Stage – 13–05–1948
    • Dundee Courier – 11–05–1948
    • The Scotsman – 11–05–1948
    • Sunday Post – 23–05–1948

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