Love from a Stranger (play)

Infobox Play
name = Love from a Stranger


image_size =
writer = Frank Vosper from a story by Agatha Christie
date of premiere = March 31, 1936
Country of Origin = United Kingdom
original language = English

"Love from a Stranger" is a 1936 play based on "Philomel Cottage", a short story by British mystery writer Agatha Christie which had been published in the "Grand Magazine" issue of November 1924 and was subsequently included in the UK collection "The Listerdale Mystery" in June 1934 (It appeared in the US in the 1948 collection "Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories").

Background

The play was adapted by Frank Vosper and opened at the New Theatre on March 31 1936. Vosper himself starred in the play which was later turned into a successful film. Promotional extracts were broadcast on the BBC Regional Programme on Friday May 1 1936 in a twenty minute programme starting at 7.10pm with members of the then-current stage cast.

On May 9 1936, the final performance was given at the New Theatre and the play immediately transferred to the Queen's Theatre on Monday, May 11 where it ran until Saturday, August 8 1936. It reopened two days later at the Streatham Hill Theatre for one week.

Reception of London production

The play garnered good reviews with the "Daily Herald" stating that it was "a brilliant terror play" and "our blood was gloriously curdled last night". The "Times" was equally enthusiastic stating "The final act is very sure of its effect. The suspense is maintained; each turn of the story is clear and striking; the terror-stricken self-control of the girl and the man's gross and abominable insanity are depicted by Miss Marie Ney and Mr Vosper with every refinement of a murderous thriller. Within the limits of its purpose, the acting of this scene could scarcely be bettered." It is claimed that the climax was so chilling to members of the audience that some fainted with the suspense.

Ivor Brown in "The Observer" of April 5, 1936 said, "There is authentic and tremendous suspense about the struggle between Bruce and his captive wife. One feels that, if any bird did nest near this cottage, it would be the croaking raven or fatal owl." Frank Vosper's performance was described as "very clever" and "a first-rate study of disintegration, in which the muscle of the first act becomes the fearsome flabbiness of the last. Both the chief players have to change character during the play, which, since this is well done, gives it a special acting-value apart from its interest of plot and problem." ["The Observer" April 5, 1936 (Page 17)]

"The Scotsman" of April 1, 1936 started its review with, "To watch the performance of "Love from a Stranger" at the New Theatre, is like witnessing a clever conjuring show. One knows that all that is apparently happening is next to impossible, yet one cannot fail to be thrilled." The review went on to say that, "Mr Frank Vosper achieves with great art the transformation from a pleasant young Colonial to a habitual murderer. The scene where he gradually reveals his true character by tearing up his wife's scarf in a paroxysm of murderous fury is invested by him with a realism that is almost horrible. It was difficult to assess the performance of Miss Marie Ney, because it was difficult to believe that she would ever have placed herself in such a situation." ["The Scotsman" April 1, 1936 (Page 16)]

Credits of London production

Director: Murray MacDonald

Cast of London Production: [Agatha Christie - Official Centenary Celebration (Page 78). 1990. Belgrave Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-00-637675-4]
"Frank Vosper" as Bruce Lovell
"Muriel Aked" as Louise Garrard
"Norah Howard" as Mavis Wilson
"Marie Ney" as Cecily Harrington
"Geoffrey King" as Nigel Lawrence
"Charles Hodges" as Hodgson
"Esma Cannon" as Ethel
"S Major Jones" as Dr. Gribble

Broadway production

Vosper took the play to New York where it ran from September 21 to circa. November 1, 1936 for thirty-eight performances. The first week (up to September 28) was at the Erlanger Theatre and from then until the closure of the play it ran at the Fulton Theatre [ [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=12154 Internet Broadway Database page on play] ]

Credits of Broadway production

Director: Auriol Lee

Cast:
"A. G. Andrews" as Hodgson
"Leslie Austen" as Nigel Lawrence
"George Graham" as Dr. Gribble
"Jessie Royce Landis" as Cecily Harrington
"Mildred Natwick" as Ethel
"Minna Phillips" as Louise Garrard
"Olive Reeves-Smith" as Mavis Wilson
"Frank Vosper" as Bruce Lovell

Publication and further adaptations

The play was first published by William Collins in June 1936 in both simultaneous hardback (priced five shillings) and paperback (priced three shillings and sixpence) editions and was re-issued by Samuel French Ltd in 1937.

The play was twice turned into a film. The 1937 British production starred Basil Rathbone and Ann Harding and was released in the US as "A Night of Terror". The 1947 US remake starred John Hodiak and Sylvia Sidney and was released in the UK as "A Stranger Walked In".

The play was also televised twice by the BBC on November 23, 1938 and May 25, 1947, both as live performances.

A radio version of the play was presented on the BBC Home Service on March 24, 1945 from 9.30 to 10.45pm as part of the "Saturday Night Theatre" strand. The play was produced by Howard Rose.

Cast:
"Josephine Shand" as Louise Garrard
"Ann Farrar" as Mavis Wilson
"Grizelda Hervey" as Cecily Harrington
"John Clements" as Bruce Lovell
"Richard Williams" as Nigel Lawrence
"Ian Sadler" as Hodgson
"Freda Falconer" as Ethel
"Cecil Fowler" as Dr. Gribble

The most recent adaptation was a BBC Radio 4 play broadcast on January 14, 2002.

References