''On Approval'' is a 1926 play by Frederick Lonsdale. It premiered at the Gaiety Theatre, New York, on 18 October 1926 where it ran for 96 performances. It opened in the West End of London at the

Fortune Theatre The Fortune Theatre is a 432-seat West End theatre in Russell Street, near Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster. From 1989 until 2023 the theatre hosted the long running play '' The Woman in Black''. History The site was acquired by aut ...

on 19 April 1927 and ran until 2 June 1928.

Original casts

Plot summary

The exacting and difficult Maria Wislack is a widow who decides to take Richard away to her Scottish island for a month's trial "on approval" to see if they are compatible for possible marriage. The egotistical and difficult Duke of Bristol (who is Richard's friend) contrives to be there as well. While there they meet Helen, who is in love with the Duke, and circumstances make all four of them stay on the island for the month. Because of the bad behaviour of Mrs Wislack and the Duke, Helen and Richard decide not to marry either of them and they leave them stranded on the island. The Duke and Mrs Wislack pretend to be romantically involved to make the other two jealous, but end up marrying each other instead.

Adaptations

''On Approval'' has had the following adaptations: * '' On Approval'', a 1930

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by and starring

Tom Walls Thomas Kirby Walls (18 February 1883 – 27 November 1949) was an English stage and film actor, producer and director, best known for presenting and co-starring in the Aldwych farces in the 1920s and for starring in and directing the film adapt ...

, also featuring

Yvonne Arnaud Germaine Yvonne Arnaud (20 December 1890 – 20 September 1958) was a French-born pianist, singer and actress, who was well known for her career in Britain, as well as her native land. After beginning a career as a concert pianist as a child, Ar ...

, Winifred Shotter and Robertson Hare. * '' On Approval'', a 1944 British comedy film starred Clive Brook, Beatrice Lillie, Googie Withers and

Roland Culver Roland Joseph Culver, (31 August 1900 – 1 March 1984) was an English stage, film, and television actor. Early life After Highgate School, Culver joined the Royal Air Force and served as a pilot from 1918 to 1919. Career After considering ...

. Brook not only starred, but also directed, produced and wrote the adaptation. * '' On Approval'', a 1964 Australian TV film. *A BBC television adaptation in 1947 featured Jan Pilbeam (Helen),

Avice Landone Avice Landone (1 September 191012 June 1976) was an English actress who appeared in British television and film. She was born in Quetta, British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, pres ...

(Mrs Wislack), Alec Finter (Richard) and Howieson Culff (Duke)."On Approval"
BBC Genome. Retrieved 29 April 2025 * "On Approval", a 1980 episode of the BBC anthology series ''

Play of the Month ''Play of the Month'' is a BBC television anthology series, which ran from 1965 to 1983 featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays (or adaptations) which were usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different wor ...

''. This version features Penelope Keith,

Jeremy Brett Peter Jeremy William Huggins (3 November 1933 – 12 September 1995), known professionally as Jeremy Brett, was an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes from 1984 to 1994 in 41 episodes of a Sherlock Holmes (1984 TV ...

, Lindsay Duncan, and Benjamin Whitrow.

References

External links

''On Approval'' -performance details in Theatre archive, University of Bristol
* {{Frederick Lonsdale 1926 plays Plays by Frederick Lonsdale Broadway plays British plays adapted into films West End plays