Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is a commonplace spy-drama of the period, with its crude plot apparently woven out of newspaper reports of the suspicious doings of ‘alien enemies’ in coast towns and in society. The spy is Lady Violet, wife of Sir John Morton R. N. of Dover, and also, alas! of Von Room, an emissary of the German government. Her mission includes the drawing of secret plans, the installation of wireless telegraphy, and the introduction of carrier pigeons, to her and her Hun spouse is her English stepdaughter, who is duly something in the turret chamber of the Dover house and is in considerable danger until she is rescued by the gallant Naval Lieutenant to whom she is engaged. On the fair spy's failure she is shot by the villain just before he is himself threatened with long-delayed arrest. Foolish stuff but quite innocuous. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

The play was toured by Charles Locke’s company until the end of 1917. Its original title was ‘Within Our Gates’ but in January 1917 this was changed to ‘For Motherland’. Although this was described as a ‘new play’ (The Stage, 4 and 11 January 1917) and as a ‘new production’ (The Era, 24 January and 7 February 1917), accounts of the plot of ‘For Motherland’ in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 27 February 1917, and the Birmingham Daily Post, 15 May 1917, are consistent with the description of ‘Within Our Gates’ in the Examiner of Plays’ Summary and in The Era, 3 May 1916, and The Stage, 11 May 1916.

Licensed On: 12 Apr 1916

License Number: 180

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Keyword(s):

British Library Reference: LCP1916/8

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66129 M

Performances

Date Theatre Type
1 May 1916 King's Theatre, Longsight, Manchester Professional Licensed Performance
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The play was premiered here and performed through to at least 11 May. A review in the 'Manchester Evening News' commented that ‘'Within Our Gates', which is produced for the first time at the King’s Theatre, is a thrilling story of the menace this country by foreign spies. The authoress, Miss Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, has handled the subject in good style. Charles Locke’s company is a very strong one, the leads in particular being in the hands of the right people, of whom Mr. Locke and Miss Cynthia Merton are the most prominent' (2 May 1916). In 'The Era' a critic commented that ''Within Our Gates' is, as its title suggests, a drama dealing with the spy peril during the present period war, and pointing its moral (that German spies should be rooted out) by a lurid example of enemy treachery on the eve of the outbreak in August 1914. Plot and characters are much the same as we have grown well acquainted with during this prolific season of war plays' (3 May 1916). 'The Stage' was not as positive and commented that 'War episodes are plentiful on the melodramatic stage, and are now beginning to lose the early grip they had at the commencement of the war. The authoress of 'Within Our Gates' is apparently not an adept at stage technique, and too-often repetition of sentences is to be heard' (11 May 1916).
1 Jun 1916 Theatre Royal, Leicester Professional
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The play was performed here from 1-3 June as part of the repertoire: 'Mr. Charles Locke’s company is presenting here this week for the first three nights 'A Mother’s Mite', and for the remainder of the week'Within Our Gates'' ('The Era', 31 May 1916).
5 Jun 1916 Prince's Theatre, Bradford Professional
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This week the play was presented twice nightly. The company included: Charles Locke (his company), Charles Elton Morgan (actor), Clare O’Sullivan (actress), Fred Lillywhite (actor), Gilbert Hall (actor), J. B. Garrickford (sic - actor), Frank Preston (actor).
15 Jun 1916 Theatre Royal, Dewsbury Professional
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The play was performed in the latter half the week: 'A Motherless Mite' (Mon., Tues., and Wed.) and 'Within Our Gates' (Thurs., Fri., and Sat.)’.
29 Dec 1916 Pavilion, Ashington Professional
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The play was staged as a one-night 'special'. ('Morpeth Herald', 22 December 1916)
4 Jan 1917 Royal Theatre and Opera House, Leigh Professional
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Charles Locke’s company performed for three nights in 'A Motherless Mite' and in 'Within Our Gates' for the remainder of the week.
15 Jan 1917 Palace Theatre, Rochdale Professional
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The Stage, 18 January 1917, advertised ‘Charles Locke’s New Production For Motherland. This is the 1917 magnet. Managers looking for something novel and out of the ordinary book For Motherland'. Also, 'For Motherland is being acted with much success at the Palace Theatre, Great George-street, this week’ (Rochdale Observer, 20 January 1917).
29 Jan 1917 Theatre Royal, Chorley Professional
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The Era, 31 January 1917, listed For Motherland as On The Road from 29 January at the T.R., Chorley.
5 Feb 1917 Junction, Manchester Professional
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The Manchester Evening News, 5 February 1917, advertised Mr. Charles Locke and Company in the latest success, For Motherland, at the Grand Junction Theatre, Hulme, on Monday 5 February 1917 and during the week.
12 Feb 1917 Coliseum, Goole Professional
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When Charles Locke's company advertised in The Era, 14 February 1917, for theatres for future dates for For Motherland, their address that week was the Coliseum, Goole.
19 Feb 1917 King's Theatre, Longsight, Manchester Professional
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The Manchester Evening News, 19 February 1917, advertised ‘Charles Locke Presents For Motherland’ at the King’s Theatre, Longsight.
26 Feb 1917 Opera House, Coventry Professional
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‘At the Opera House, For Motherland, by Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, will be presented by Mr. Charles Locke’s company. The action of the play takes place during those fateful days of the outbreak of war, August 4th and 5th, 1914, and there are eight scenes. Two German secret service men and a lady spy and adventuress are prominent characters in the production’ (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 24 February 1917). 'Good houses last night [at the Opera House] witnessed the performance of For Motherland by Mr. Charles Locke’s Company. A lady is the author of the play - Dorothy Lloyd Townrow. The piece may be said to suggest itself. It takes us back to the beginning of the war, when German spies were striving to injure this country. Two of these undesirable people find themselves up against an English gentleman, his daughter and niece and their sweethearts, and of course are ignominiously bowled out. It is not a new theme for a war play, but its development was watched with all the intensity of interest that marked the public attitude towards earlier productions of the kind. National and patriotic sentiments were rapturously applauded and when the spies are exposed the pleasure of the houses found vent in applause so prolonged and hearty that the curtain was raised several times ... The play was well received, the audiences at times being roused to much enthusiasm. They were very responsive to the good acting, and no less to the many loyal and patriotic declarations which occur in the piece’ (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 27 February 1917).
5 Mar 1917 New Theatre Royal, Castleford Professional
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‘Castleford – New Royal … On Monday Chas. Locke and company opened here with For Motherland. C. Elton Morgan ably depicts Sir John Merton. William Vane’s impersonation of Lieut. Allen Rivers receives well-merited attention. Chas. Locke makes an excellent and indefatigable Lieut. Fitzroy. F. L. Arthur works hard and effectively as Beaumstein (sic). Leslie Lingham is good as Von Roon. Clara O’Sullivan gains her share of the general approval as Cynthia Merton. Florence Hayward is good as the Hon. Peggy. Lillian Iris is much appreciated as Richards. Lady Merton’s love for mischief is admirably depicted by Flo Norman. Frank Preston does well as P.C. Belton’ (The Stage, March 1917).
26 Mar 1917 New Theatre, Crewe Professional
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‘For Motherland ... attracted good houses at the New Theatre on Monday night. Mr. Charles Locke is to be complimented on introducing a play which is full of thrilling incidents' (Nantwich Guardian, 27 March 1917). Also noted in The Stage, 29 March 1917. : ‘Crewe – New … For Motherland is presented, with Charles Locke in the role of Lieut. Aubrey Fitzroy. Sir John Merton, R.N., is well played by C. Elton Morgan, and in the arduous role of Lady Viola Merton Flo Norman achieves success. Madge Holt makes a vivacious Peggy Allison, and the lovers, Cynthia Merton and Lieut. Allen Rivers, are in the capable hands of Clare O’Sullivan and William Vane respectively. Leslie Lingham gives a powerful portrayal of Wilhelm von Roon, and is ably supported by Frank Hertie as Heinrich Baumstein. Much amusement is caused by by Frank Preston as P.C. Bolton’.
2 Apr 1917 Theatre Royal, Barnsley Professional
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The Stage, 5 April 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 2 April at the Royal, Barnsley.
9 Apr 1917 Grand Theatre, Nottingham Professional
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‘Topical drama is offered at the Grand Theatre where Mr. Charles Locke presents For Motherland by Dorothy Lloyd Townrow. It is a dramatic and cleverly-told story, the period being laid at the outbreak of the war, and the activities a German secret agent form a portion of the plot’ (Nottingham Evening Post, 10 April 1917).
16 Apr 1917 Empire Theatre, Longton Professional
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The Stage, 19 April 1917, noted that at the Longton Empire 'A popular attraction is provided by Chas. Locke and company in For Motherland, which is well played’.
23 Apr 1917 Hippodrome, Mexborough Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Era, 18 April 1917, and in The Stage, 19 April 1917, for a theatre for For Motherland for 30 April his address for the following week was the Hippo., Mexborough.
7 May 1917 Theatre Royal, Leicester Professional
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'An interesting attraction is staged here [the Theatre Royal, Leicester] in the drama, For Motherland, which is well performed by Mr. Charles Locke’s company, and meets with a gratifying reception. The laughable farce, A Kiss in the Dark, follows’ (The Era, 9 May 1917). Noted in The Stage, 10 May 1917.
14 May 1917 Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Professional
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‘For Motherland, the dramatic production at the Alexandra Theatre, a representation of the fateful days for Britain in August, 1914, is well staged, produces many thrills, and found great favour last night. Chief honours fall to Miss Clare O’Sullivan, as an English lady true to her honour, who with the assistance of her naval lover, completely upsets the scheme of the German secret service agents, the characters of which are well played by Miss Flo Norman, Mr. F. Preston, and Mr. L. Lingham’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 15 May 1917). 'For Motherland, a play dealing with those fateful days, August 4 and 5, 1914, is produced at the Alexandra Theatre this week. It deals with spies and treachery, and shows how members of the German secret service take possession of a secret chamber at the top of the quiet home of a retired naval officer, overlooking Dover, for a wireless station. Such excesses of villainy are worthy of the agents of their master, and the audiences greatly enjoy their downfall' (Birmingham Daily Post, 15 May 1917).
21 May 1917 Theatre Royal, Darlington Professional
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This week's booking is listed in an advertisement in The Stage, 12 April 1917.
28 May 1917 Alexandra Theatre, Hull Professional
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‘During Whit-week, a dip is made into the large selection of patriotic dramas, and the company at [the Alexandra Theatre] give For Motherland, with spirit. Its date is quite recent. All the scenes are laid in England, and the time - the outbreak of the present war. One sees a repetition of the activities of the German spies in the Dover and Folkestone district, and sensations are lavishly put into the happenings of the play. Among the chief of those who take part, and infuse abundant energy into their acting, are Mr W. Vane (a naval lieutenant), Miss Clara O’Sullivan, Mr. F. Hertie, and Miss Flo Norman’ (Hull Daily Mail, 29 May 1917). Noted in The Stage, 31 May 1917.
4 Jun 1917 Prince's Theatre, Bradford Professional
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‘Bradford Amusements. A patriotic drama, entitled For Motherland, is presented by Mr. Charles Locke at the Prince’s Theatre’ (Leeds Mercury, 5 June 1917).
11 Jun 1917 Theatre Royal, Leeds Professional
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‘For Motherland, which is being staged at the Royal for the first time in Leeds, is a spy play, and the author, Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, has chosen those tense days our history, Aug. 4 and 5, 1914, and the mysterious chamber of a turreted mansion near the all-important port of Dover, for the time and the background of her melodrama' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 12 June 1917). ‘A play of great power and interest to old and young is The Motherland, by Miss Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, which is being presented by Mr. Charles Locke and an excellent company at the Theatre Royal this week. Being a comparatively new production—this is the first time it has been staged in Leeds—and what tends to make it so strong and interesting is the fact that the action the play takes place during those fateful days of August 4th and 5th, 1914. It deals with the work of the German Secret Service, and shows how the spys (sic) are trapped by the loyalty and devotion of the English for their country' (Leeds Mercury, 12 June 1917).
25 Jun 1917 Royal Osborne Theatre, Manchester Professional
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‘Charles Locke’s company in the drama For Motherland provide a good entertainment at the Osborne’ (Manchester Evening News, 26 June 1917).
2 Jul 1917 Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton Professional
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Noted in The Stage, 5 July 1917.
9 Jul 1917 Theatre Royal, Stockport Professional
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Noted in The Era, 11 July 1917.
16 Jul 1917 Theatre Royal, Bury Professional
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This week's booking is listed in an advertisement in The Stage, 12 April 1917. The Era, 11 and 25 July 1917, reported that on Friday 20 July Charles Locke's company gave the first performance of a new play new play The Woman Who Dared by Frederick H. U. Bowman.
23 Jul 1917 Theatre Royal, Dewsbury Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Era, 25 July 1917, for theatres for August 13, 20 and 27 for For Motherland and The Woman Who Dared ('Can play both plays in one week or play two weeks'), his address that week was the Theatre Royal, Dewsbury.
30 Jul 1917 Grand, Halifax Professional
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‘“For Motherland,” which is being produced twice nightly this week at the Grand Theatre (Friday excepted) is a stirring up-to-date drama. With a naval setting, it shows how a young officer saved his country’s secrets from German agents. A strong company, with Miss Clare O’Sullivan and Mr. C. Elton Morgan in the leading roles, make the play one of gripping intensity. On Friday only a new drama “The woman who dared” will be presented’. Halifax Evening Courier, Tuesday 31 July 1917.
6 Aug 1917 Hippodrome, Huddersfield Professional
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The Era, 8 August 1917, noted at the Huddersfield Hippodrome 'Mr. Charles Locke’s company in For Motherland on five nights, and one night (Friday) The Woman Who Dared’.
13 Aug 1917 Cambridge Theatre, Spennymoor Professional
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'Mr Charles Locke and his up-to-date company will present the modern drama For Motherland, at the Cambridge Theatre, Spennymoor, next week. The Motherland is one of those dramas which appeal to those made lonely by the war. The action of the play takes place during those fateful days, August 4th and 5th, 1914, when all our naval men were called to action. On Friday night there will a special drama entitled The Woman Who Dared. The title itself predicts plenty of thrill and excitement’ (Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, Saturday 11 August 1917). Noted in The Stage, 16 August 1917.
20 Aug 1917 Gaiety Theatre, Houghton-Le-Spring Professional
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The Era, Wednesday 22 August 1917, listed For Motherland as On The Road from 20 August at the Gaiety, Houghton-le-Spring.
27 Aug 1917 Theatre Royal, Crook Professional
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Noted in The Stage, 30 August 1917: ‘Crook – Royal … Charles Locke’s company are here playing For Motherland ... On Friday The Woman Who Dared will be played by the same company’.
3 Sep 1917 Palace, Derby Professional
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'Next week the realistic and romantic drama, For Motherland, written by Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, will be staged at the Palace Theatre. The action of the play takes place during those fateful days, August 4th and 5th, 1914, and is full of stirring incident. The company is under the management Mr. Charles Locke, and contains many well-known and capable artistes. Whilst the authoress has written a tense story of great human interest, she has very advisedly interspersed the many dramatic scenes with good, sound healthy comedy’ (Derby Daily Telegraph, 1 September 1917).
10 Sep 1917 Metropole Theatre, Gateshead Professional
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The Stage, 13 September 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 10 September at the Metropole, Gateshead.
17 Sep 1917 New Theatre, Pontypridd Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 20 September 1917, for theatres in South Wales or London District for October 1, 8 and 15 for ‘the real success’ For Motherland, his address that week was the New Theatre, Pontypridd.
24 Sep 1917 Metropole Theatre, Abertillery Professional
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The Stage, 27 September 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 24 September at the Metropole, Abertillery.
8 Oct 1917 Imperial Theatre, Canning Town Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Era, 10 October 1917, and in The Stage, 25 October 1917, seeking theatres for For Motherland, his address was the Imperial, Canning Town.
29 Oct 1917 Theatre Royal, Stratford Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 1 November 1917, for theatres for the ‘real success’ For Motherland, his address that week was the Theatre Royal, Stratford.
5 Nov 1917 Grand, Brighton Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 8 November 1917, for a theatre for 19 November for For Motherland, his address that week was the Grand, Brighton.
12 Nov 1917 Dalston Theatre, London Professional
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‘Mr. Charles Locke successfully presents this week, at the Dalston Theatre, the war play For Motherland’ (The Era, 14 November 1917).
19 Nov 1917 Tivoli, Bow, London Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 15 November 1917, for theatres for For Motherland, his address the following week was the Tivoli, Bow, London, E.
10 Dec 1917 Hippodrome, Wednesbury Professional
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When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 13 December 1917, for a theatre for Christmas week for the ‘real success’ For Motherland, his address that week was the Hippodrome, Wednesbury.
17 Dec 1917 Hippodrome, Bilston Professional
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The Stage, 20 December 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 17 December at the Hippo, Bilston, and from 24 December at the Emp., Wath-on-Dearne.
24 Dec 1917 Empire, Wath-on-Dearne Professional
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The Stage, 20 December 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 24 December at the Emp., Wath-on-Dearne.
28 Jan 1918 Theatre Royal, Middlesbrough Professional
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The Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 21 January 1918, advertised at the the Theatre Royal, Middlesbrough, ‘Next Week: For Motherland’.
1 Jul 1918 Theatre Royal, Leicester Professional
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The Era, 3 July 1918, reported: ‘Leicester Theatre Royal … For the fourth week of Miss Grace Warner’s stock season here she is presenting the German spy drama, For Motherland, with Miss Warner as Esther Von Roon, Mr. George Gordon as Wilhelm Von Roon, and Mr. J. Edmund Wildash as Lieut. Allan Rivers, parts which they most successfully portray. The other characters are capitally filled by Messrs Harold Wood, Barry Lewers, James Thorpe, and the Misses Amy Hardcastle and Winnie Acton’.
1 Jul 1918 Theatre Royal, Leicester Professional
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The Era, 3 July 1918, reported: ‘Leicester Theatre Royal … For the fourth week of Miss Grace Warner’s stock season here she is presenting the German spy drama, For Motherland, with Miss Warner as Esther Von Roon, Mr. George Gordon as Wilhelm Von Roon, and Mr. J. Edmund Wildash as Lieut. Allan Rivers, parts which they most successfully portray. The other characters are capitally filled by Messrs Harold Wood, Barry Lewers, James Thorpe, and the Misses Amy Hardcastle and Winnie Acton’.