Charles Watson Mill

Charles Watson Mill was born in 1874 in Leamington Spa. During his early years he developed a love of the theatre, and from the early twentieth century became a well-known playwright, actor, and theatrical producer. In 1910 he took the tenure for the Theatre Royal Leamington Spa. His responsibility for the Theatre endured until his death in 1933. During World War 1 he wrote and produced a number of plays including The Eve of Her Wedding, The Eternal Flame, and In Time of War. The popularity of In Time of War was evidenced by a two year run in provincial theatres throughout the country, including a run at the Lyceum Theatre in London. Two theatre companies, C. Watson Mill’s personal company and that of the Royal Standard Company under Mr Mark Linden, were touring “In Time of War” enabling extensive touring of a wide range of theatres. Not only was C. Watson Mill a writer and producer and responsible for his own touring company, he was also an accomplished actor taking the role of Captain Russell Squires in his production of “In Time of War.” Perhaps he was best known for his play “The Eternal Flame” which focused not on War but rather on Peace and which courted controversy due to its content. The last Act took place at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey resulting in criticism from Sir Ian Hamilton among others who criticised the appearance on stage of the Unknown Warrior when the play was produced in London. The Mill Collection comprising plays in typescript, part-books, letters and documents relating to the family business from 1910-1934 are held by the University of Birmingham, Cadbury Research Library, Special Collections Department. C.Watson Mill died on 13 July 1933, aged 69, suffering a heart attack on a London tube train. Following his death his theatre company “The Celebrated Players Ltd” was wound up, and the Theatre Royal, Leamington Spa sold.

Performances associated with Charles Watson Mill

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