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"Lend Me Five Shillings" -
Goodwin is well supported by his carefully selected company. William Hawtrey is in the principal supporting role. He is an actor in his own right but was apparently not recognized by the audience. Margaret Moreland, a handsome blonde, is the leading woman.
"In returning to vaudeville (or 'variety' as it was when I knew it last), I wish to say on behalf of my company and myself that the flattering reception with which you have received us exceeded all our fondest expectations and also to tell you that this is the happiest night of my life." - Nat C. Goodwin.
The audience accepted that spoken acknowledgement as a very great compliment from a man of much experience (one who surely had many happy nights in the past as a pre-eminent American comedian.
The audience continued to applaud the company, until Mr. Goodwin, after several more curtains, raised a glass of wine from the table and drank to the health of the audience.
All of the players were not certain of their lines, Hawtrey and Moreland in particular. Mr. Goodwin was able to successfully act as prompter for the entire company. "Mr. Goodwin is stout."
Source:
Variety 21:8 (01/28/1911)