AustLit

A dramatic recreation of the events surrounding the infamous murderer Dr Hawley Crippen, including his attempt to flee from England to America by ship, his capture by a Scotland Yard detective in a Canadian port and his eventual trial and execution in London.

Although attributed to 'Anson Grave' the authorship was in fact a play the names Anderson (Anson) and Redgrave (Grave). This is supported by a brief note in the Adelaide Advertiser which reads: 'The new drama founded on the Crippen case (to be staged at the King's Theatre, Melbourne) is written by Messrs. William Anderson and Roy Redgrave' (1 October 1910, p9).

The two biggest scenes, according to the Advertiser were set in London's Royal Music Hall and aboard the R.M.S. "Richmond" at sea (22 October 1910, p20). Chief among the "thrills" and incidents played out in the drama, too, was "an ocean fight for the possession of a wireless apparatus" (Queenslander 29 October 1910, p3). Redgrave naturally played Crippen, with George Cross as Inspector Walter Dew (Scotland Yard), and Max Clifton as the ship's captain. Other principal parts were taken by Bert Bailey, Edmund Duggan, Fred Kehoe and Olive Wilton. The music hall scene is believed to have incorporated vaudeville performances from several artists including Ida Gresham.

The advertised scenes are:

• Scene 1. Interior of the Royal Music-hall, London. The Message from Mid-Channel.
• Scene 2. Outside 105 Camberwell Road.
• Scene 3. Interior of 105 Camberwell Road. The Wireless in the Cellar - The Discovery. The Murder.
• Scene 4. Room in Dr Crippen's house.
• Scene 5. Outside Charing Cross Station.
• Scene 6. Entrance Hall of the Hotel des Frides. Bloodhounds on the trail.
• Scene 7. The R.M.S. Richmond at the Quay.
• Scene 8. The Richmond in Mid-ocean. The Struggle at the Masthead for the Mastery of the Wireless. One of the Most Thrilling Sensations Ever Presented.
• Scene 9. Crippen's Cell in the Old Bailey.
• Scene 10. Corridor in the Old Bailey.
• Scene 11. Court-room in the Old Bailey. The Trial - Ethel speaks in her own defence - Dr Crippen's big move - The Verdict.