At the time of the original production critical opinion was divided, with the down-market section of the press taking a hostile, moralistic stance, and the critics in the more serious newspapers taking a generally favourable view. The Daily Express called the piece an "unpleasant play which might the tickle the palate of certain playgoers who enjoy the decadent." The Daily Mirror found the leading characters and their "'modern' impudences" "very tiresome".
At the time of the initial release, critical reception was divided, with the lower-class press taking a hostile, moralistic stance, and the critics in more serious newspapers generally having a favorable view. The Daily Express labeled the piece an "unpleasant play which might tickle the palate of certain playgoers who enjoy the decadent." The Daily Mirror found the leading characters and their "'modern' impudences" "very tiresome".