Decima Moore (1871-1964)

"The Wedding Eve"
By Mr. William Yardley (adapted from the French).
Produced at The Trafalgar Square Theatre.
Reviewed in The Colonies and India (UK) - 17th September, 1892.

The Opening of the Trafalgar Square Theatre last Saturday came as an event of prime importance in the midst of a dreary season of histrionic inactivity, and the warm reception given to the new piece and to the new theatre undoubtedly owed some of its fervour to the pleasure experienced by playgoers in finding themselves once more in the bustle of a "first night," and the hope that a winter season was being inaugurated which will prove in every sense more brilliant than the summer one lately concluded.

Certainly all were in "holiday humour," and the brightness of the new amber decorations, and of the whole setting of the play, helped to enhance this mood; otherwise, it must be confessed that the entertainment provided left a good deal to be desired. "The Wedding Eve" is an adaptation, by Mr. William Yardley, from a French original by Messrs. Bisson and Bureau-Jattiot, with music by Mons. Toulmouche, and it cannot be said that any very great debt is owing to the original authors and composer. The story is feeble and commonplace, the characters conventional and mostly devoid of humour, and nearly all that there was striking and melodious in the music was due to Mr. Ernest Ford, who composed several of the numbers, and a mysterious personage who, under the name of "Yvolde," contributed some very pretty dance music.

Of the representation there is little but praise to be recorded, for, though neither Mr. George Barret, Mr. Elton, nor Mr. Arthur Wilkinson succeeded in extracting much fun out of the comic parts assigned to them, the responsibility rests perhaps more with the authors than the actors, and the latter certainly worked hard. The success of the evening was undoubtedly Miss Decima Moore, who not only looked very pretty as the heroine, Yvonette - this she always does - but both sang and acted charmingly, and added greatly to her fast-rising reputation. Another welcome appearance was that of Mr. Joseph Tapley as Kernoe, the hero, who ably seconded Miss Moore, and sang in excellent style in their duets. Mr. Tapley has been absent from the London stage for some little time, and was warmly welcomed on returning to it. Miss Kate Chard made perhaps the hit of the evening with the song "Polly up a Plum Tree," which was twice encored, and at the end of the performance enthusiastic calls were given for Mr. Yardley, Mr. Ford, and Miss Decima Moore.

The scenery was beautifully painted, and the dresses bright and gorgeous beyond what we are accustomed to, even in these days of lavish display, so that there is every reason to suppose that "The Wedding Eve" will draw large houses for some time to come. The one discordant note was struck by the gallery boys over their old and just grievance, the programme charge. In the case of a new theatre the excuse of an existing agreement cannot be put forward, and it must be owned that this piece of stinginess comes in badly in the midst of much liberality.