Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

Professor Blackhurst' professionally a man of science with a laboratory, is really a German spy and manufacturer of bombs on a large scale. He also has a ward whom he persecutes with his addresses. Jack Landon, a super-detective, gets admission to his house and makes love to the ward by way of comic relief. He is discovered by Blackhurst and the two fight all over the stage, this 'scrap', being the main excitement to the piece. Blackhurst is of course overcome and soldiers, opportunely arriving, arrest the other spies, his accomplices. It is well-meant, and such plays are in my opinion an innocent vent of public feeling, and taking as a precedent the play 'God Save the King' which was licensed last week I see no reason why this should not also be Recommended for License. G. S. Street

Researcher's Summary:

Although licensed as 'The Spy', this play was performed under the title 'The Spy Peril'. It was produced by Caryl Wilbur [real name Wilbur Chaplin Sharpe], who may have also been the author as well as the lead actor. After being seen in London in early September 1914, a 'new version' was announced ('The Stage', 24 September 1914). This included 'additional thrills' and a new act entitled 'The Daughters of Empire'. 'The Stage' notes that the play was booked for a tour of the London Theatres of Variety and had opened at the Ilford Hippodrome on Monday 21 September.

Licensed On: 21 Aug 1914

License Number: 2901

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British Library Reference: LCP1914/28

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66076 A

Performances

Date Theatre Type
24 Aug 1914 Alhambra, Bradford Unknown Licensed Performance
7 Sep 1914 Metropolitan Music Hall, London Professional
Read Narrative
'A sketch apporpriate to the moment, excellently written and played, and just the right length [...] held the attention of the audience throughout on the first production at the Metropolitan on Monday, and was loudly applauded at curtain fall.' (The Era, 9 September 1914)
21 Sep 1914 Hippodrome, Ilford Professional