Year: 1947

Theatre: Wyndham`s Theatre Charing Cross Road 

Part: Dr. Valentine

Review: "Benjamin Frankel had recently seen James Donald give a superb display of high comedy acting in Shaw`s "You Never Can Tell" and with him in mind he wrote the leading male role of Lord Digby in Trottie True." 

This wholly delightful revival of Bernard Shaw`s comedy which is presented by Sherek Players Ltd.  has proved a popular draw. A splendid cast extract every ounce of fun from the many humorous situations. The play is skilfully directed by Peter Ashmore, and a special word of praise is due to the delightful settings by Anthony Holland and to the charming costumes of the period. The second act scene on the terrace of the Marine Hotel is one of that will be long remembered as an artistic triumph of the first order. 

Story: Dolly Clandon, the first patient of the impoverished young dentist, Valentine, is joined by her brother, Philip, in an attempt to persuade him to join the family for lunch.

Mrs. Clandon typifying the emanicipated woman of the period (1896), does not live with her husband, and has brought up her three uninhibited children abroad in ignorance of his identity. After Valentine`s protest, which occurs shortly after their return to England, they beg their mother to tell them the true.
Valentine, wanting to impress his landlord, to whom he owes rent, claims the whole of the Clandon family as his patients. But what Mr. Fergus Crampton, the landlord, really wants is some attention for an aching tooth.
Dolly advises the landlord as to the beast means of extraction. Peviously, she has skilfully persuaded him to bring Valentine to lunch with her family.

Valentine, having induced Fergus Crampton to agree to forego the rent owing to him if the tooth is painlessly extracted, forcibly uses gas to carry out his part of the bargain. 
The Clandon family, whilst waiting at the hotel for Valentine and Mr. Crampton to join them for lunch, are met by Finch McComas, the family solicitor, who tells them he has news of their unknown father.
The family solicitor, having revealed the fact that the rich but crusty old Mr. Crampton is their unknown father, the family drink a re-union toast.

McComas encounters very stiff opposition from Mrs. Clandon in his efforts to bring about a family reunion. The children do all they can to encourage a reconciliation as a rich father could undoubtedly ease the financial burden the family is bearing.
Later the same night Valentine asks Gloria to marry him but confesses that he hasn`t a penny in the world. But in spite of her seeming indifference it is soon obvious that Gloria is equally attracted.
Gloria has a heart to heart talk with her newly-found father- and appears to enjoy the experience.
Mr. Bohun, the legal adviser, has been briefed to try and persuade Mr. Crampton to return to his family, a task which is proving more than a little difficult.

source: Theatre World Jan. 1948