Sword or Surplice, Or A Man of Peace
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
This little play is a plea for parsons of military age joining the army, or, to put it more fairly to them, perhaps, a plea for allowing those who wish to go. The parson in question is a strong young man in his early thirties. He is convinced that his duty is to his parish, and is even disturbed because his gardener, a married man, insists on going to serve his country: this last touch is no doubt unfair to the average parson but is unimportant. His wife takes the opposite view and they argue the matter. Then a telegram comes to say their little son has been killed in a Zeppelin raid. The parson cannot stand this and announces his intention of joining. It is of course a matter of opinion if the bishops of the Church of England were wise in refusing permission to parsons of military age to serve, as priests and ministers of other denominations are serving. Probably a large number of parsons would agree with the spirit of this play. In any case it would be, I think, an interference with reasonable liberty to forbid it, especially as the view is stated temperately and without any animadversion on bishops. Recommended for license, G. S. Street
Licensed On: 18 Jan 1916
License Number: 19
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1916/1
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66122 S
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Alexandra Theatre, Stoke Newington | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 24 Jan 1916 | Alexandra Theatre, Stoke Newington | Professional |
Read Narrative
Performed the week of 24 January. 'The author himself played the gardener in a vigorous and manly style. The part of the Vicar received admirable treatment in the hands of Mr Albert Ward, whilst a capital portrait of the Vicar's wife was contributed by Miss Kitty Lofting. The sketch was well received, the audience cheering the heroic sentiment of the gardener which that enthusiasm which betokens success.' (The Stage, 3 February 1916)
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| 27 Mar 1916 | Empire, Camberwell, London | Professional |
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The Stage, 30 March 1916, reviewed the one-scene musical comedy farce 'Rosebuds' at the Camberwell Empire and concluded: 'Another play here, of a different type, is Matthew Bolton's [sic] drama, "Sword or Surplice," in which Mr. Boulton still gives his carefully studied reading of the clergyman. It is a capital play, well acted'. Rathmell Wilson inserted an advertisement in the same issue of the Stage in which he said that that week he was playing the Gardener in Sword or Surplice at the Camberwell Empire.
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