Empire, Liverpool
Performances at this Theatre
Date | Script | Type | |
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N/A | Phew! | Unknown | |
N/A | Knick Knacks | Unknown | |
N/A | The Big Show | Unknown | |
N/A | Honour Gains The Day | Unknown | |
14 Sep 1914 | What Would you Do? or The Alternative | Unknown | |
21 Dec 1914 | Gentlemen, the King! | Professional | |
28 Dec 1914 | Venus Limited | Unknown | |
11 Jan 1915 | Passing Events | Professional | |
19 Jul 1915 | The New Word | Professional |
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At the Empire, on a bill which included George Robey, ‘a pleasing novelty will be the presentation of Sir James Barrie’s latest music hall sketch, “The New Word.”’ Liverpool Daily Post, Friday 16 July 1915. Also the Liverpool Echo, Saturday 17 July 1915. ‘The tit-bit at the Empire this week is a playlet by Barrie, “‘The New Word.” It deals with the standoffishness which often exists between father and grown-up son, and is worked out to a delightful conclusion. Mr. O. B. Clarence, the father, and Miss Helen Haye, the mother, get good assistance from Mr. Geoffrey Wilmer and Miss Ethel Wellesley’. Liverpool Echo, 20 July 1915.
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16 Aug 1915 | Push and Go | Unknown | |
18 Oct 1915 | 6/8 | Unknown | |
24 Apr 1916 | For Those In Peril | Professional |
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Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.
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21 Aug 1916 | A Day In A Dug-Out | Unknown | |
16 Oct 1916 | Howard and Son | Professional |
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Featuring Sir George Alexander; Mr J D Beveridge; Mr Charles Glenny.
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11 Dec 1916 | The Girl of the Future | Professional |
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‘The leading feature of the programme is the appearance of Miss Camille Clifford in “The Girl of the Future.” The formerly popular Gibson Girl received a flattering greeting from a large audience. Her principal helpers were Edgar Stevens and Tripp Edgar’ (The Era, 13 December 1916). ‘Miss Camille Clifford, the famous Gibson Girl, is appearing at the Empire Theatre this week. She has been widowed through the war, and has returned to the stage where she promises to shine as brilliantly as before. She plays in a delightful musical fantasy entitled “The Girl of the Future,” in the course of which she appears in her original role and gives a representation of the famous Gibson Girl walk’ (Birkenhead News, 13 December 1916).
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12 Feb 1917 | Doctor O'Toole | Unknown | |
14 Mar 1917 | Brave Women Who Wait | Professional |
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J.C.Carlyle's Tour. Brave Women Who Wait; or The Munition Girl's Love Story. By Mrs F.G. Kimberley. Brilliant success of re-production. Very strong cast and beautifully staged.(The Era, 14th March, 1917).
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9 Jul 1917 | Three Cheers | Professional | |
24 Jul 1917 | The Lads of the Village | Professional |
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Performed here until 29 July with Bob Stevens as Erb.
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17 Dec 1917 | Nosey Knows | Professional |
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Performed for the week by George Hestor (actor), Dorothy Frostick (actress), Marie Ellis (actress), Nat Lewis (actor). ‘Fred Karno is anxious that the public shall know that Nosey Knows (Empire next week) is not a revue. I think he could have saved himself the trouble. We know our Karno by now’. (Liverpool Echo, 14 December 1917)
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24 Dec 1917 | Ocean Waves | Professional |
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This was retained at the theatre for three consecutive weeks.
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11 Feb 1918 | Hotch Potch | Professional |
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Performers: Fred Kitchen, Nora Delany
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1 Apr 1918 | The Bull-Dog Breed | Professional | |
6 May 1918 | Rations | Professional |
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‘There is a strong flavour of the topical about the programme at the Empire Theatre this week, since the title of the new Fred Karno revue presented is “Rations!”. It is not difficult to imagine that there are endless possibilities for amusement in a production with such a subject. Mr. Robb Wilton and a fine company lose no opportunity of turning the good material to most laughable account, with the result that the audience are bound to enjoy the Karno “Rations"'(Liverpool Daily Post, 7 May 1918). ‘The revuette “Rations,” presented at the Empire by Fred Karno’s Company is a diverting absurdity, which gives Robb Wilton many opportunities for his especial form of entertainment. As the meatless butcher with a bewildering array of registered customers - and such bewitching customers - he conducts a roaring trade, the roaring coming from the customers who go away empty-handed (Liverpool Echo, 7 May 1918).
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22 Jul 1918 | Flying Colours | Professional |
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‘Trench humour is irresistible, and when it is the creation of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather it is doubly so, for then is of the best brand. “The Johnson ‘Ole,” produced in Liverpool for the first time last evening at the Empire Theatre, introduces us to a fresh episode in the career of Old Bill the Walrus. “The Johnson ‘Ole,” whilst quite a good vehicle for the exploitation of the true spirit of trench hilarity, lacks the finer human touches which invested “The Better ‘Ole” with its unfading charm. The new “Ole” is, in fact, designed to give “Old Bill,” “Bert,” and “‘Arry” in merry mood minus the pathos of the other “‘Ole.” Taken on that basis, frankly it is acceptable. The portrayal of the Walrus by Mr. Harry Thurston was praiseworthy work by this popular comedian, who had worthy allies in Messrs. W. P. Sheen and Leonard May’. Liverpool Daily Post, 23 July 1918.
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12 Aug 1918 | The Woman of Louvain | Professional |
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Performed by: Mary Mayfren
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19 Aug 1918 | Three Cheers | Professional | |
2 Sep 1918 | A Soldier, A Girl And A Jolly Jack Tar | Professional |
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Duncan and Godfrey. The famous Cockney Comedy Couple in "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (The Era - Wednesday 28 August 1918)
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23 Sep 1918 | Airs And Graces | Professional | |
23 Dec 1918 | Rations | Professional |
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‘Topping the list at the [Liverpool] Empire this week is a grand Fred Karno production, “Rations,” starring the eminent actor Tom Drew, who receives ample support from the well-known artistes Winnie Collins and Chas. Childerstone. Patrons need only glance at the name Fred Karno to gain a fair impression of the worth of the production. They will not be disappointed in the present instance’. Birkenhead News, 25 December 1918.
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