"BOUGHT AND PAID FOR"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 6, 8 January 1925, Page 5

"BOUGHT AND PAID FOR"

SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL fAT OPERA : ■ ■ . HOUSE. ■''.-■ George Broadhurst's comedy-drama, "Bought and Paid For," is by no means fresh from the pen, but that fact was not allowed to even suggest itself to those present at the Grand Opera House last evening, when the popular play was revived by Muriel Starr and Frank Harvey. So effectively was the play handled, not only by the principals, but by the remaining members of the cast also, that the audience forgot its age and welcomed it almost as a new addition to the theatrical family. The central figures in "Bought and Paid For" are Virginia Blame, a telephone girl in a city hotel, and Robert Stafford, a millionaire, who, to use his own words, has reached the city of big things. Stafford is attracted by Virginia, and at a small dinner party which he arranges—the only other participants are Virginia's sister, Fanny, and her fiancee, James Gilley, he announces their engagement, Virginia, as Stafford's i'wife, goes to share his house on Riveroide Drive, and with the assistance of the almighty dollar —one of the natural appurtenances of the city of big things—she climbs the social scale, taking her sister and Gilley along with her. Then Stafford revives a pas- j sign for his cups, and in one of his drunken orgies he insults his wife in such a way that she leaves him. Stafford is penitent, but he atubbornly refuses to promise not .to drink again, and the-Blaine-Gilley combination return to comparative poverty. Gilley is'by no means satisfied with the new state of affairs, and after blaming Virginia for all that has happened, he sends, a message to Stafford that his wife is waiting for him. Stafford, who is really in love with his wife, hastens to answer the message, and a reconciliation takes place. I As Stafford, Frank Harvey gave one of his best performances, to date. He is peculiarly suited to the role of the millionaire, and in the drunken scene he was quite convincing. Miss- Starr gave further evidence of her emotional powers in the role of Virginia, and made the most of all'her big scenes. Miss Jessie Page '■■was' satisfying as Fanny, and Mr. John Fernskle, was quite suited to the part of Gilley. . Minor/roles were filled capably by Mi-. Fred Cpape, and Miss ; Rosamunde M'Millah. : ''..''.