The Slacker

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

A serviceable little piece in its way. The slacker is an artist who, coming home from a carnival dinner, finds two soldiers billeted upon him for the night in his suburban house. They have supper and one of them, supported by the slackers' wife, tries to induce him to enlist, but he makes excuses. The men shake down for the night; Zeppelins come and land men; the slacker and one of the soldiers go out to encounter them (the other guarding the women) and the slacker returns heroically carrying his wounded comrade; his wife is shot through the window and blinded. Then the stage is darkened again and lo! It is a dream, but the slacker, convinced by his dream, promises to enlist. A certain silliness in the military operations of course is removed by their occurring in a dream, and the piece is well done, the patriotic arguments being put boldly and sanely. It is cordially Recommended for license. G. S. Street

Researcher's Summary:

This sketch, written by Charles Kitts, was first performed at the Hammersmith Palace on 30 November 1914 and was toured by him and his wife Rhoda Windrum until October 1915. Kitts and Windrum emigrated to South Africa at the end of November 1915, having transferred the rights in ‘The Slacker’ to a touring company (Richmond and Twickenham Times, 4 December 1915). This was the company led by Gilbert Heron and his wife Jessie Danvers who seem to have tried out the play in Wakefield in October 1915 before touring it from December 1915 until August 1916, by which time it was being replaced in their repertoire by Heron’s own play ‘Saved by Wireless’ (also in the Great War Theatre database). ‘The Slacker’ was repeatedly praised for being an aid to recruiting but it would have become less topical with the introduction of conscription. Heron was annoyed that he could not prevent Henrietta Schrier and Lodge Percy giving a play that they had written the same title (also in the Great War Theatre database: The Stage, 16 March 1916, and The Era, 22 March 1916). The play that Heron and Danvers performed in Merthyr Tydfil in August 1916 was called ‘A Billet for Two’ but the names of its characters and the fact that it was being staged ‘by arrangement with Kitts and Windrum’ show it to be ‘The Slacker’ under another name.

Licensed On: 14 Nov 1914

License Number: 3016

British Library Reference: LCP1914/33

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66081 H

Performances

Date	Theatre	Type
25 Nov 1914	Castle Theatre, Richmond-upon-thames	Unknown	Licensed Performance
30 Nov 1914	Palace, Hammersmith	Professional	Read Narrative Reviewed at length, with plot summaries, in The Era, 2 December 1914, and The Stage, 3 December 1914. The cast was: The Wife, Rhoda Windrum; The Maid, Phyllis Evelyn; The Big Man, Reg Hamer; The Little Man, Fred Arkwright; The Slacker, Chas. Kitts. The scene was the Slacker’s dining room; and the time was Now. The Stage's review concluded, 'The piece was well mounted, and we think will have a prosperous career. It aroused great enthusiasm, and should prove an excellent recruiting medium’. Listed in November’s music hall productions in The Era, 23 December 1914.
7 Dec 1914	Hippodrome, Lewisham	Professional	Read Narrative The Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette, and the Lewisham Borough News, both 4 December 1914, reported that Kitts and Windrum would be on the bill at the Lewisham Hippodrome next week. Performing 'The Slacker'?
21 Dec 1914	Hippodrome, Ipswich	Professional	Read Narrative ‘The management of the Hippodrome are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the programme they are placing before their patrons during the present week ... At the top of the bill is a well-acted sketch entitled “The Slacker.” As the title suggests it deals with the present day, and shows how through a dream a man, steeped in selfishness, is brought to the realisation of the great necessity for all who can to join the forces' (Evening Star, 22 December 1914; also the East Anglian Daily Times of the same date). ‘The management of the Hippodrome are to be congratulated on the excellent programme secured for the holiday. Chas. Kitts and Rhoda Windrum and company in the capital sketch entitled “The Slacker,” find great favour with the audience. The sketch gives a clear illustration of a non-combatant’s position, in the event of a hostile attack on his home’ (Evening Star, 26 December 1914; also the East Anglian Daily Times of the same date).
4 Jan 1915	Hippodrome, Colchester	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the East Anglian Daily Times, 2 January 1915. Noted in The Stage, 7 January 1915.
11 Jan 1915	Palace, Plymouth	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Another first-class programme has been provided by Messrs. Hoyle at the Palace Theatre this week … The sketch, “The Slacker,” presented by Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum is an effective patriotic appeal, to which there should be a handsome response. The piece is well-staged and the acting is all that could be desired’. Western Evening Herald, 13 January 1915.
18 Jan 1915	Collins' Music Hall, Islington, London	Professional	Read Narrative ‘At Collins’s last week Kitts and Windrum headed the bill with The Slacker, a play on the present War which has already been favourably noticed in our columns. The sketch pleasantly combines pathos and humour, and Charles Kitts as the Slacker is seen to good advantage’. The Stage, 28 January 1915.
8 Feb 1915	Hippodrome, Norwich	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 3 February 1915, listed Kitts and Windrum in The Slacker in Next Week’s Calls at the Norwich Hippodrome. Also The Stage, 4 February 1915.
22 Feb 1915	Hippodrome, Coventry	Professional	Read Narrative ‘The topical sketch “The Slacker,” presented by Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum, is a most go-ahead and effective title piece, full of humour and patriotic spirit, and in one passage having a distinct thrill in it. It deals with the war, and represents the conversion of an aristocratic slacker into an eager potential recruit. It not to doubted that the sketch will help the work of the recruiting officers wherever it is played' (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 23 February 1915). ‘The sketch which Mr. Charles Kitts and Miss Rhoda Windrum are presenting at the Hippodrome this week ought to secure a rush of recruits for the army. It is called “The Slacker,” and its object is to show that the young men of England need something startling to happen before they will wake up to the fact that their King and country need them. The sketch is extremely realistic and admirably presented’ (Coventry Standard, 26 February 1915).
1 Mar 1915	Hippodrome, Aston	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Topical, and pointing an obvious moral, “The Slacker,” the dream play given at the Aston Hippodrome last evening by Mr. Charles Kitts and Roda [sic – Rhoda] Windrum and Co., introduced the audience to the possibility of a Zeppelin raid, and sought to emphasise the oft-repeated cry, “Your King and Country Need You.” Mr. Kitts made a typical “Slacker,” the man who is inclined to let things go on as they are, and trusts to others to defend his hearth and home. Miss Windrum ably filled the role of the wife’ (Birmingham Mail, 2 March 1915). ‘“The Slacker” ... is a sketch with some possibilities about it, but its main point is to give an impetus to recruiting. The play is well enacted, and the large audiences last night heartily enjoyed it’ (Evening Despatch, 2 March 1915).
15 Mar 1915	Palace Theatre, Doncaster	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 13 March 1915, as the ‘highly successful Dream Play … A Romance of the Moment’.
5 Apr 1915	Hippodrome, Aldershot	Professional	Read Narrative The Stage, 1 April 1915, listed Kitts and Windrum in Calls for Monday 5 April at the Aldershot Hippodrome. Performing 'The Slacker'?
3 May 1915	Empire, Penge	Professional	Read Narrative ‘At the Penge Empire Theatre this week … Kitts and Windrum are producing a smart up-to-date play entitled “The Slacker”’ (Forest Hill & Sydenham Examiner, 7 May 1915). ‘Very good … was the sketch, “The Slacker,” presented by Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum. It contains a strong recruiting appeal and thoroughly deserved all the applause that greeted it’ (Norwood News, 7 May 1915.)
14 Jun 1915	Empire Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum and company present a topical and very popular sketch, entitled “The Slacker,” and the pointed appeal made to those who are hanging back goes right home as the result of some clever acting’. Richmond and Twickenham Times, 19 June 1915.
26 Jun 1915	Theatre Royal, Grantham	Professional	Read Narrative The Grantham Journal, 19 June 1915, advertised ‘A grand Military Matinee will be given at the Theatre Royal, Grantham, on Saturday next, 26th June, at 2.30 p.m. in aid of the Grantham Branch of the British Red Cross Society, by members of the 17th (Service) Batt. “The King’s” Liverpool Regiment … The Artistes include …Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrow, in a Dream Play, entitled “The Slacker”’. Also: ‘Friends of Charles Kitts, of Kitts and Windrum, will regret to hear of the severe accident he sustained at the Royal, Grantham, on June 26, when at a Red Cross charity matinée. Owing to an explosion he was severely burned on the face and hands and had to be immediately conveyed to London. Although progressing favourably, it will be some considerable time before he recovers the complete use of his hands, and it was only by a lucky chance that he retained his sight’ (The Stage, 8 July 1915).
30 Jul 1915	Jubilee Hall, Weymouth	Professional	Read Narrative A successful concert was held in aid of the Red Cross Fund at the Jubilee Hall at Weymouth last week. Among the artists were … Kitts and Windrum (in The Slacker, an impressive “dream plot”)’. The Stage, 5 August 1915; the date of the concert is a guess.
9 Aug 1915	Palace Theatre, Grimsby	Professional	Read Narrative The Grimsby Daily Telegraph, Tuesday 10 August 1915, advertised: ‘Special Engagement of Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum In their Latest Successful Dream Play, “The Slacker”.
16 Aug 1915	Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum and company appear in a play of to-day, “The Slacked [sic!]”’. Daily Record, 17 August 1915.
23 Aug 1915	Palace Theatre, Manchester	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Manchester Courier, 23 August 1915. ‘Kitts and Windrum, comedy sketch artists, gave an amusing farce well played’ (Manchester Courier, 24 August 1915).
6 Sep 1915	Palace Theatre, Burnley	Professional	Read Narrative ‘There is a perfectly obvious lesson to be learnt from “The slacker,” as presented by Kitts and Windrum, for whilst it is a very dramatic though amusing sketch, it has also the credit of being a good recruiting agency. It a story that applies to many in that it depicts the careless, happy-go-lucky fellow who refuses to take his part in the fight and considers that it is not his duty to join the army. But a realistic dream of what would become of his home and wife in the event of the German getting to England convinces him of his error and he ends by changing his first opinion. It is a well-acted little drama and well worth seeing’. Burnley News, 8 September1915.
11 Oct 1915	Granville Theatre, Walham Green, London	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Fulham Chronicle, 8 October 1915: ‘Special Engagement of Kitts and Windrum Company, who present “The Slacker”’. Also: ‘A unique item took place at the Granville Theatre of Varieties, Walham Green, last Friday evening at the first house. The occasion was the playing of the Regimental Silver Band of the 3/7th Battalion London Regiment, better known as the “Shiny Seventh” … Another item appropriate to the occasion was a very successful dream play entitled “The Slacker,” presented by Mr. Charles Kitts and Miss Rhoda Windrum. This sketch showed that it is only when men realise that there is danger - such as a Zeppelin raid in the play - that they wake up to the occasion and enlist. This performance visibly impressed the large audience which had attended to see the Band play' (West London Observer, Friday 22 October 1915).
18 Oct 1915	Palace Theatre, Salisbury	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 16 October 1915, as ‘The Greatest Patriotic Sketch of the Day’. Noted in The Stage, 21 October 1915.
25 Oct 1915	Palace Theatre, Southampton	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Charles Kitts and Rhoda Windrum and company, with The Slacker, score well’. The Stage 28 October 1915.
25 Oct 1915	Empire Theatre, Wakefield	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 27 October 1915, noted the nautical revue 'Heave Ho!' at the Wakefield Empire, ‘supported by Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers in “The Slacker”’.
27 Dec 1915	Palace Theatre, Bradford	Professional	Read Narrative ‘A short play which arouses the patriotic fervour of the audience is staged by Gilbert Heron (late Royal Marine Artillery) and Jessie Danvers, who, supported by a strong cast, appear in “The Slacker.” It is worthy of note that the male members engaged in the production are all under or over military age. The scene is supposed to be laid in a drawing-room in a villa, and shows how a man is reluctant to join the Forces until one night his patriotism is awakened when he learns of a visit of the enemy’s aircraft’. Bradford Daily Telegraph, 28 December 1915.
3 Jan 1916	Palace, Blackburn	Professional	Read Narrative The Accrington Observer and Times, 1 January 1916, advertised: ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers present The Slacker: The Wife, The Maid, The Taxi Man, The Big Man, The Little Man, The Shadow’.
10 Jan 1916	Regent Theatre, Yarmouth	Professional	Read Narrative ‘A very strong attraction is heading the bill next week, when Gilbert Heron (late Royal Marine Artillery) and Jessie Danvers are presenting by arrangement with Kitts and Windrum, “The Slacker,” the playlet which has achieved so remarkable a success in London and the provinces. The characters are aptly described as the wife, the maid, the big man, the little man, the taximan, the shadow, and the slacker. The sketch abounds with strong situations and amusing comedy; further it is bang up-to-date in a topical sense, and the name of Gilbert Heron is one which is always associated with distinction in acting and production’ (Yarmouth Independent, 8 January 1916). ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers are doing well with their various sketches, including that playlet The Slacker’ (The Stage, 13 January 1916).
31 Jan 1916	Pavilion Theatre, Southport	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 2 February 1916, noted: ‘Gilbert Heron (late of the Royal Marine Artillery) and Jessie Danvers present “The Slacker”’ at the Pier Pavilion, Southport.
21 Feb 1916	Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen	Professional	Read Narrative ‘There is a super-abundance of talent the Tivoli this week … The concluding item is a dream play entitled “The Slacker,” in which the man who stayed behind is made to realise that he owes a duty to his King and country. The scene is laid in the drawing-room of a suburban villa where two Tommies have been billeted overnight by the lady of the house unknown to her husband, a gentleman of the “knutty” persuasion. He dreams of Zeppelin raids, his home in danger, and his wife wounded. All this, coupled with the persuasive appeal by the senior Tommy, has the desired effect. He enlists as a private. Mr Gilbert Heron as “ The Slacker” and Jessie Danvers as his wife are the outstanding characters in the play’. Aberdeen Evening Express, 22 February 1916.
28 Feb 1916	Hippodrome, Warrington	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers are the principals [at the Hippodrome, Warrington] in The Slacker, and both talented artists scored well'. The Stage, 2 March 1916.
6 Mar 1916	?, Barrow-in-Furness	Professional	Read Narrative When Gilbert Heron wrote a letter dated 8 March to The Era (published 22 March 1916), distinguishing the one-act play 'The Slacker' that he was producing from the play of the same title by Henrietta Schrier and Lodge Percy, he wrote that his own play 'has been ... performed in most parts of the kingdom (with the exception of vacant weeks), and is still on the road, being at Barrow-in-Furness this current week'.
13 Mar 1916	Hippodrome, Darlington	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 15 March 1916, noted ‘Gilbert Heron (late Royal Marine Artillery), and Jessie Danvers, in “The Slacker”’ at the Hippodrome, Darlington.
3 Apr 1916	Pavilion, Leicester	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers in “The Slacker,” are top of the bill at the Pavilion next week. This is a playlet dealing with a subject made perfectly familiar to all of us [in] these military times. Although the story is strong, it is not without humour' (Leicester Evening Mail, 1 April 1916).
10 Apr 1916	Palace, Carlisle	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 5 April 1916, listed “The Slacker” in Next Week’s Calls at Carlisle. Noted in The Stage, 13 April 1916.
17 Apr 1916	Palace Theatre, Huddersfield	Professional	Read Narrative ‘The fare provided at the Palace this week cannot be charged with monotony; in fact, a more diversified programme could not be well imagined … Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers present a sketch of up-to-date character, but somewhat melodramatic and unconvincing, and not equal to some of the previous sketches in which they have appeared’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 18 April 1916.
1 May 1916	Grand Theatre, Plymouth	Professional	Read Narrative Noted in The Era, 3 May 1916, as 'The Slacker' but with no details of the performers or of any other items on the bill.
8 May 1916	Palace Theatre, Halifax	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 10 May 1916, noted ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers, in “The Slacker”’ at the Palace Theatre, Halifax.
21 Aug 1916	Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil	Professional	Read Narrative The Merthyr Express, 19 August 1916, advertised at the Temperance Hall on Monday 21 August and during the week ‘Gilbert Heron (Late Royal Marine Artillery) & Jessie Danvers Present The Wife, The Maid, The Big Man, The Little Man, The Taximan, The Shadow and the Slacker, in a Dream Play, entitled “A Billet For Two” (By arrangement with Kitts and Windrum)’. Also: ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers have a really pretty dream play in “A Billet for Two,” in which we have a good acting and a good story’ (Merthyr Express, 26 August 1916).

The Slacker

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

Researcher's Summary:

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Performances