All's Well
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
This contains minimum of amusement for a score. A warm [...] invites the company to his house in the country & flirts with one of the women. The chief [...] commission is in & it is [...] that his[...] should be taken by the comic [...] The cast consists of odd numbers & the plot disappears. This is the “labour exchange [...] “ in which a comedian interviews foolish people. One of the characters is T[...] of [...] Bottomley., of [...] he hardly needs protection. Of the last [...] is a unfriendly [...] to the King of Greece, but in such a way insignificant production it does not seem to matter. Otherwise the piece, so far as the script goes, is harmless. Recommended for Licence. D Street.
Researcher's Summary:
Authorship of ‘All’s Well’ is unclear but seems to have been shared by George Stuart and Fred E. Cliffe. An advertisement for the show in the Dover Express, 14 January 1916, said that it was ‘Written and Composed by Fred F. [sic E.] Cliffe’ (also the Worthing Gazette, 1 March 1916); a review in the Dover Chronicle, 22 January 1916, said that it was ‘written by Mr. Fred E. Cliffe, with special music and songs by him’; and an advertisement in The Era, 26 January 1916, inserted by the original producers Florio and Co. (later succeeded by the Windham Production Company), said that it was written by George Stuart, with songs and music by Fred E. Cliffe. Cliffe is best known for writing songs for George Formby with Harry Gifford in the 1930s. The revue’s Great War-related elements are the ‘military number’ and ‘patriotic song’, ‘I’m proud to be a Mother of a Son like you’ (Dover Chronicle, 22 January 1916; Eastbourne Gazette, 26 January 1916) and ‘a skit on the result of the liquor control order’ (Dover Chronicle, 22 January 1916) 'All's Well' toured from 17 January to 13 May 1916; the list of performance weeks identified here is not necessarily complete. Two days later another revue, ‘Hilarity Girl’, was performed at the Camberwell Empire and a review in The Era, 17 May 1916, shows that it shared characters’ names and many of the actors with ‘All’s Well’. Indeed, when it was performed at Shoreham, where ‘All’s Well’ had been performed in March 1916, the Worthing Gazette, 24 May 1916, commented, ‘When the curtain was raised on the revue “The Hilarity Girl,” at the New Theatre, Shoreham, on Monday evening, we imagined we recognised it as one we had seen but a short while back under another title’. By July 1916 the performers were appearing in another revue, ‘The Week-End Girl’.
Licensed On: 17 Jan 1916
License Number: 20
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1916/1
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66122 T
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 1916 | Hippodrome, Dover | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 17 Jan 1916 | Hippodrome, Dover | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘“All’s Well” is a revue presented by Messrs. Florio and Co. at the Royal Hippodrome, Snargate Street, this week. The whole is in three scenes and there are some good songs and dances. The dresses are pretty, and the music bright and tuneful. The following is the cast:- “William Harrison” (a retired and successful tradesman, now found financing a revue), Mr. Ashley Sinclair; “Jack Tranem” (the manager and controller of the production), Mr. Hal Whitby; “Mr. Horatio Toppomley” (Press representative), Mr. Frank Danby; “Blobb’s” (Harrison’s trusty servant), Mr. Al. Brown; “Pedro” (an Italian tenor), Mr. Alex Vello; “Kitty Foxtrot” (the leading lady of the revue), Miss Dolly McCalla; “Rita Vernon” (a charming member of the company), Miss Mabel Brough; “Mamie Gould” (the revue ballad singer), Miss Mamie Gould; and a specially selected company of attractive chorus ladies’ (Dover Express, 14 January 1916). Also reviewed in the Dover Chronicle, 22 January 1916. An advertisement inserted by the producers Florio and Co. in The Era, 9 February 1916, claimed that All’s Well ‘played to packed houses at the Hippodrome, Dover, 4 weeks ago, despite the Taube raid'.
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| 24 Jan 1916 | Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘There is nothing so acceptable to the theatre-going public as a good, rollicking revue. For months past the management the management of the Hippodrome have been thoroughly alive to the abounding popularity of this form of entertainment, and have spared no expense in securing up-to-date productions. This week the title of the production is “All’s Well,” and Messrs. Florio & Co.’s No. 1 Company extract a vast amount of humour out of the doings of William Harrison (a retired tradesman), who is financing a revue. He finds “breakers ahead” in the shape of Blobbs, his trusty servant, who is ever getting into “hot water,” much to the delight of the audience. Mr. Bert Snowden gives capital impersonation of Blobbs. He has an overflowing store of jests; his songs are equally diverting; and he figures in duets with no inconsiderable success Mr. Hal Whitby appears as Jack Tranem (manager and controller of the productions), who renders some excellent musical numbers, the most popular being “I’m Trying to be Good, but the Girls won’t let me.” Mr. Frank Dauby, as Mr. Horatio Toppomly sic]. is extremely amusing. His “labour bureau” skit is a delicious piece of absurdity. Miss Dolly McCulls [sic - McCulla]] (Kitty Foxtrot) is much in evidence with new songs and dances, which win for her many friends. Miss Mamie Gould, who appears as Rene Proudy, makes a great “hit” in her patriotic song, “I’m proud to be a Mother of a Son like you.” Mr. Ashley Sinclair (William Harrison), Miss Mabel Brough (Rita Vernon) and Miss Dorothy Parsons (Mabel Friskey) and a bevy of beautiful ladies in wonderful costumes add greatly to the success the revue. A speciality is introduced by Signor Alexandro Vallo, a singer who comes direct from the Italian Opera and Coliseum, London’ (Eastbourne Gazette, 26 January 1916). An advertisement inserted by the producers Florio and Co. in The Era, 9 February 1916, claimed that All’s Well ‘played to packed houses at the Hippodrome, Eastbourne, despite the visit of a German submarine’.
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| 31 Jan 1916 | ?, Chelmsford | Professional |
Read Narrative
An advertisement inserted by Florio and Co. in The Era, 9 February 1916, claimed that All’s Well ‘played to packed houses at Chelmsford last week despite the Zeppelin raid’.
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| 7 Feb 1916 | Palace, Northampton | Professional |
Read Narrative
Reviewed in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 8 February 1916., and The Era, 9 February 1916.
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| 28 Feb 1916 | Shoreham Theatre, Shoreham | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘The large audience that assembled for the first house at the Shoreham Theatre on Monday evening rocked with laughter during the time that the sketch, “His Last Night Out,” was being played … The principal piece in the programme is, however, occupied by the revue, “All’s Well,” which, as the week goes on, should attract large audiences. The music is tuneful, and there is a sufficiency of plot. The revue is under the management of Messrs. Windham; it has been written and composed by Fred E. Clitfe, and Stanley Vivian is responsible for the music ...'. Worthing Gazette, 1 March 1916.
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| 27 Mar 1916 | Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Another revue tops next week's bill [at the Temperance Hall, Merthyr], "All's Well," in three scenes. Revues loom very largely in wartime entertainment, but there are revues and revues. "All’s Well" is one of those that IS a revue in the very best sense. The cast includes Leonard Barry, direct from his London pantomime success, and many other star principals, supported by beautiful ladies and a sextette of charming lady dancers. Jack and Jill are a comedy duo, and Cleas and Page have a very clever novelty gymnastic act’. Merthyr Express, 25 March 1916.
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| 3 Apr 1916 | New Theatre, Crewe | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘The revue at the Crewe New Theatre, “All’s Well,” is a really good entertainment. Full of fun and excellent singing and dancing, it makes a very strong appeal. Mr. Leonard Barry stands out prominently. As a comedian he has few equals. His songs are much appreciated. Mr. Hal Whitby is also very successful. Mr. Tom E. Ray is an accomplished artist, and makes himself very popular. Miss Dolly McCulla and Miss Hetty Marston play to perfection, while Mdlle. Rossini’s talented troupe of dancers give the greatest satisfaction. The chorus is one of outstanding merit, and completes a first-class entertainment’. Nantwich Guardian, 4 April 1916.
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| 17 Apr 1916 | Tivoli, Manchester | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘“All’s Well” is a capital revue, featuring Leonard Barry, the well-known comedian, supported by Dolly McCulla, Hetty Marston, Hal Whitby, Tom E. Ray, and the Rosmas Troupe of Dancers. Other enjoyable turns include the Two Roses, juvenile comediennes and dancers; Fitzgerald, juggler; and Joe Dalston, Hebrew comedian. Pictures’. The Era, 19 April 1916.
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| 1 May 1916 | Theatre Royal, Great Yarmouth | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Revue still pleases, with its merry numbers. This week, “All’s Well” holds the boards. As Blobbs Hoskins, Mr. Leonard Barry proves himself a first-rate comedian and wins a many hearty laugh. Miss Dolly McCalla is a vivacious Kitty Fox Trot, and Miss Hetty Marston scores as Topsy. Much amusement is caused by Mr. Hal Whitby as Jack Trainem and Mr. Tom E. Ray as William Harrison. Rosina’s troupe of dancers are well received’. Yarmouth Independent, 6 May 1916.
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| 8 May 1916 | Revue Theatre, Kingston | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Racy revue, with the title of “All’s Well,” is pleasing patrons of the Revue Theatre this week, the bright and merry show reflecting credit on the Windham Production Company who present it. There are some pretty and effective scenes, in which there is much fun and frolic, led by the well-known comedian, Leonard Barry, supported Dolly McCalla as “the belle of revue.” Hetty Marston. Tom E. Ray and Hall Whitby, and the Rosina troupe of dancers are seen in some attractive terpsichorean turns. Popular songs are a prominent feature of the production’. Surrey Advertiser, 13 May 1916.
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