Eyes Right!!

The Era, 15 March 1916, reviewed Eyes Right, ‘A Petite revue, by Harold Simpson and John Tiller, Produced for the First Time at the Empire Theatre, Nottingham, on Monday, March 13. The initial performance of this little revue was given on Monday with all the necessary elements for success, and a crowded house gave it an enthusiastic reception. With his usual attention to detail, Mr. John Tiller has fully equipped this latest venture, with the result that a bright and breezy medley of good things has been pressed into its thirty-five minutes. The musical numbers are light and lilting enough to set the feet moving. The costumes are not only pretty, but harmonise well with the scheme of colouring of scenery, which is a picturesque setting of a mill and farmyard. Just a slender plot serves to allow of an unlimited amount of real humourous business. The Miller, who has been called to the war, leaves his wife (Mr. Tom D. Newell) to manage his affairs in his absence, and on this the whole of the fun and frolic hinges. To assert woman’s independence of man, the Miller’s wife resolves that she and the girls can easily run the show. This gives an opening for many funny incidents, in which Mr. Newell fairly revels, notably the laundry. Another smart skit is on the economy of household management. Mr. Newell also scores in a highly diverting song, “The District Nurse,” in which droll patter and a cleverly executed eccentric dance brought the house down. The only other principal is Miss Eileen Desmond, who gives an animated rendering of “There’s a land,” and a song, “The Amazon Brigade,” assisted by the girls, who perform an expert change of costume from country maids to Scottish Highlanders, in which they execute some smart military movements. The Empire Girls also dance with precision and neatness. The production is under the direction of Mr. John Tiller, with Mr. Teddy Gibbs as the able stage-manager’.

‘… a miniature revue, “Eyes Right,” … goes with a merry swing’ (Manchester Evening News, 21 March 1916). ‘A revue, Eyes Right, on stereotyped lines, makes a successful appearance, Tom D. Newall [sic – Newell] and Eileen Desmond being especially prominent’ (The Stage, 23 March 1916).

‘At the Empire Palace this week the chief attraction is “Eyes Right,” which is an entertaining little revue. The company of ten, nine of whom are of the fair sex, find plenty of work to do, and there’s no wasted time. The cleverness of Tom D. Newell is betrayed in may [sic] ways in his diverting dame study, Miss Eileen Desmond sings with her accustomed power, and the Eight Empire Girls perform some neat steps’. Skyrack Courier, 31 March 1916.

‘Tom D. Newall [sic – Newell] figures in the role of comedian in a petite revue, “Eyes Right,” which introduces smart dancing and lively singing by 8 Empire Girls, and a sweet voiced songstress in Miss Eileen Desmond’ (Daily Record, 4 April 1916).

‘Revue, that crisp form of pleasure-giving which has been heartily acclaimed everywhere, has its representatives in Tom D. Newell and Desmond, supported by eight Empire girls. The presentation is entitled “Eyes Right,” by Harold Simpson and John Tiller, and the haunting music of the piece is by Ernest Vousden. In of hands of the talented people at the Empire this week this revuette “a petite revue” is a thorough success; it is instinct with real life. Tom Newell masquerades the self-assertive type of woman with wonderful realism. His recital “I am the nurse of the parish” is capital. It is, however, in his burlesque of the Lancers that he wins his greatest success. The audience laugh at this novelty of exaggeration until they cry. A master of dry, mordant, humour, and one of the most capable exponents of the ludicrous, Tom D. Newell should not be missed. Eileen Desmond acts with skill and precision. Her rendering of “There’s a land, a dear land” on Monday night, sung with deep feeling, thrilled her hearers, and the applause was loud and long. The Empire girls, under her leadership, in conversation, song, dance, and drill are smartness and vivacity personified. The military exercise in which the girls engage in the attire of Highlanders, is an excellent topical touch, superbly rendered’ (Burnley News, 12 April 1916). ‘Heading a capable all-round bill is a fascinating little revue, “Eyes Right.” This a sketch with no particular plot, except that it is based on a female lament that there are now no men, and they form themselves into a women’s force. But the revue sparkles all through with all the best of catchy singing, pretty dresses, capital dances, and rich humour, and, on Monday evening’s judgment, should be a great draw all week. The Eight Empire Girls are more than usually good for a singing and dancing troupe, and they are smart in every way in their “Amazon Brigade” and “Whistling Band” choruses, in their dancing, and in their style generally. Excellently led by Miss Eileen Desmond, who also sings most effectively that still best of all patriotic songs, “There’s a land,” the ladies in the revue do all that necessary to make it a thorough success. As to the humour, Mr. Tom D. Newell has every scope for his brilliance. At times be reminds one irresistibly of Wilkie Bard, especially as the “District Nurse,” in which he brings some funny patter. His “Lancers” dance burlesque is very rich. Mr. Newell is undoubtedly one of the best “dames” on the variety stage. All the critics say of him that he is a coming star; it would appear, however, that he has already reached a high altitude, and no better comedian could be wished for. From beginning to end he was a source of real and wholesome merriment, and his comedy, coupled with the smartness of the rest of the company, made “Eyes Right” an entertaining revue’ (Burnley Express, 12 April 1916).

‘On Monday night Harold Simpson and John Tiller gave the New Cross Empire audience the privilege of being the first [sic!] to make the acquaintance of their “petite revue,” which they have christened “Eyes Right.” It was so minutely “petite” as scarcely to warrant the ambitious description of “revue.” It makes no pretence even of a plot, but quickly shows itself to be just an adaptable and pretty setting for some good songs, dainty dances, and quaint fun - the latter just occasionally depending for its effect on its suggestiveness rather than on its wit. Tom D. Newell is great fun as an old washerwoman, with a curious way describing things. When presented with what is obviously a somewhat ancient egg, she inquires whether it has been attested, and comes to the conclusion that it is “chemically unfit.” She “knows her landlord fluently.” In regard to her husband, she states herself to have been “an eye-opener to a short-sighted man.” Perhaps the funniest, and certainly one of the cleverest things in the piece is her dancing of a set of Lancers entirely on her own. It is so grotesque, and it gives Tom D. Newell an opportunity of proving himself a really graceful dancer. Eileen Desmond, as the washerwoman’s bright, breezy, bouncing daughter, imparts an air almost of grandeur to the little piece by her vigorous, powerful, and yet wholly sweet singing of “There’s a land, a dear land.” The Eight Empire Girls, who, tired of being without the men, don kilts and form themselves into the “Amazon Force,” go through some smart drilling, and afterwards, in fluffy scarlet frills, wave hands and legs with such grace and agility and airy daintiness as to suggest beautiful full-blown poppies stirred by the breeze. And it would not do to quarrel with these dancing damsels, for they are truly wonderful kickers’. The Era, 19 April 1916.

‘“Eyes Right,” a revue by Harold Simpson and John Tiller, makes a good start at the Hulme Hippodrome, where it is produced for the first time. The show is full of go, dainty dances, and good songs are included, and there are also many clever artists. Among them are Tom D. Newell and Miss Eileen Desmond’ (Manchester Evening News, 25 April 1916). ‘An excellent, all-round programme here includes Mr. John Tiller’s revue, “Eyes Right,” presented in fine style by a strong company, with plenty of good dancing, taking songs, and smart comedy’ (The Era, 26 April 1916).

‘Eyes Right is presented [at the Swansea Empire] this week by Tom D. Newell, Eileen Desmond, and company. The piece makes an attractive item’. The Stage, 4 May 1916.

‘Eyes Right, a “little” revue, by Harold Simpson and John Tiller, is paying a first visit to the Finsbury Park Empire this week, although it has been touring the provincial towns for some time. It is considerably shorter than the majority of pieces of the kind, but it has all the characteristics with which larger and more ambitious works have made the public familiar. The comedy business is in the hands of Tom D. Newell, who, in a kind of pantomime dame part is the principal fun maker. Eileen Desmond is the only other name appearing on the programme: this is to be regretted as there are several artists appearing in the piece whose work is deserving of recognition. The Eight Empire Girls and a chorus provide not only the ornamental side of the show, but most of the bustle and movement which everyone looks for in pieces of the kind. “The Amazons’ Brigade,” a song sung by Miss Desmond, with chorus, finds much favour with the audience’ (The Stage, 11 May 1916). ‘Nowaday, no programme is considered complete without the irresistible revue and this week we have one of the miniature variety, which despite its shortness, is sufficiently long to permit of Eileen Desmond, Tom D. Newell and The Eight Empire Girls giving a good display of fun, song and story, the little show entitled “Eyes Right” going with a swing from start to finish’ (Holloway Press, 12 May 1916).

‘At the Newport Empire next week Harry Champion, the well-known comedian, heads the bill. He is sure to be well received. Bob Anderson comes again with his pony Bonita. There will be a little revue entitled “Eyes Right,” in which Tom D. Newell will appear’ (Western Mail, 13 May 1916). Advertised in the Western Mail, 16 May 1916: ‘First Production of a Petite Revue entitled Eyes Right by Harold Simpson and John Tiller; cast includes Tom D. Newell, Eileen Desmond, and the 8 Empire Girls’.

‘Olympia’s programme is merry and bright all the way through. It contains the inevitable revue, but this is compressed into half an hour, much the advantage of the revue itself and the evening’s entertainment in general. Eyes Right is sustained simply by two principals and a ballet of eight, but the producers have given them plenty of scope, and the comedian’s imitation of sailors’ dances is exceedingly jolly’ (Liverpool Daily Post, 23 May 1916). ‘A bright and charming revue – a miniature revue – forms the chief part of the excellent bill at Olympia this week. It is entitled “Eyes Right,” and is most pleasing in every way. The chief provided [sic] of fun is Tom D. Newell, a comedian who enhanced his reputation at the last Royal Court Theatre pantomime. He is a host in himself, but is well supported by the vivacious Eileen Desmond, the Eight Empire Girls, and others’ (Birkenhead News, 24 May 1916). ‘Eyes Right, entitled a “petite revue,” is but a poor trifle, wherein appear the Eight Empire Girls, Eileen Desmond, and Tom D. Newell’ (The Stage, 25 May 1916).

‘A revue, Eyes Right, in which Tom D. Newell, Eileen Desmond, and the Eight Empire Girls appear, heads the bill’ at the Palladium, Southport. The Stage, 1 June 1916.

‘The “petite revue” is a welcome form of this class of popular entertainment. The company is comparatively small, so that every artist may be an adept, and the performance is short, crisp, and sparkling. The long revues, as a rule, find it hard to keep up a sustained interest. The little extravaganza, “Eyes Right,” by Messrs. H. Simpson and Jno. Tiller, is concentrated fun and cleverness. The moving spirit is Tom D. Newell, a comedian of many parts, shining most in burlesque. He has an excellent foil in Teddy Gibbs. Another capable actress and vocalist is Eileen Desmond. Then there are the Eight Empire Girls as a background, charming in dance and song and in stage tableaux. One should not forget the fine setting of the piece’ (Lancashire Evening Post, 6 June 1916). ‘Harold Simpson and John Tiller’s revue, entitled Eyes Right! Provides plenty of opportunity for humour, singing, and dancing. Tom D. Newell looks well to the first feature, Eileen Desmond to the second, and the Eight Empire Girls to the last’ (The Stage, 8 June 1916). ‘The petite revue, “Eyes Right,” produced for the first time, is a tremendous success. Seeing that Mr. John Tiller is associated with it, one is not surprised to find that the dances and choruses of the Eight Empire Girls go with perfect rhythm, and including a lot of new movements which are pretty in the extreme. And a charming octette of girls they are, too. Tom D. Newell makes no end of fun, and he is splendidly supported by the dashing Miss Eileen Desmond and Teddy Gibbs. It is all apropos of nothing, but it is delightfully entertaining’ (Preston Herald, 10 June 1916).

‘The Pavilion is the great entertainment hall, and at the head of the bill is the Petite Revue, “Eyes Right,” a melange of mirth and melody, whose title has a true military ring about it. The cast in a strong and capable one, including Tom D. Newell, Eileen Desmond and Eight Empire Girls’ (Fleetwood Express, 14 June 1916). ‘A wonderful aggregation of amusements has been assembled at the Winter Gardens by the enterprising management, to charm away the worries of these war-time days. There is fun unending to make the Whitsun holidays pass merrily and only too quickly away … In the Grand Pavilion every afternoon and evening laughter, light, and loveliness pervade the atmosphere, where the petite revue, “Eyes Right,” a melange of melody and mirth is being presented for the week. Sparkling wit, pretty girls in dainty costumes, amid splendid scenery and ear-haunting music, all make this artistic production a success. The cast includes Tom D. Newell, well known to Blackpool audiences; Eileen Desmond, and the Eight Empire Girls’ (Blackpool Gazette & Herald, 13 and 16 June 1916). ‘A bright and clever revue, Eyes Right, heads a capital programme here. The principals include Tom D. Newell, Eileen Desmond, and the Eight Empire Girls’ (The Stage, 15 June 1916).