Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

A simple, sentimental little play, very like one on the same subject we had early in the war. Old Billington is a dying veteran, looked after by his daughter Charlotte. His son Richard deserts and is hid by Charlotte. A sergeant comes to arrest him and perceiving old Billington’s condition good-naturedly pretends that he is the deserter and Richard the sergeant and relates great feats done by Richard. He then departs with his prisoner and the thanks of Charlotte while the veteran, apparently, expires form the excitement. Recommended for licenses. G. S. Street

Researcher's Summary:

The Deserter, in one act by Fred J Morris, was put on as a 'curtain-raiser' before a full-length detective drama, Alias Jimmy Valentine, performed by actors who were in the latter play. It is recorded as having been so performed at the New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester in the week beginning Monday 21 August and at the Grand Opera House, Belfast in the week beginning 11 September 1916. Alias Jimmy Valentine continued to be performed by the same company on tour thereafter but The Deserter is not mentioned in connection with it.

Licensed On: 15 Aug 1916

License Number: 398

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Genre(s):

British Library Reference: LCP1916/19

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66140 B

Performances

Date Theatre Type
21 Aug 1916 New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester Unknown Licensed Performance
21 Aug 1916 New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester Professional
Read Narrative
The Era, 6 September 1916 published a review of The Deserter, a play in one act, by Fred J. Morris, produced at the New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester on Monday 21 August. ‘As an episode of the present war Mr. Fred J. Morris’s little play has an up-to-date and dramatic interest ... A very good depiction of the old soldier, John Billington., was given by Mr. Leonard Laurence, and Miss Dorothy West-Symes made a pleasing and sympathetic Mary Billington, while Mr. Walter Clifford was manly and considerate as Sergt. Merrills, and Mr. George Mayfield played effectively as the defaulting Richard’. The Era, 23 August 1916 noted that Alias Jimmy Valentine at the New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester that week ‘was preceded by “The Deserter,” in one act, by Fred J. Morris’. ‘At the new Queen’s Theatre, Manchester, last week, Mr. Leonard Laurence produced a new military sketch, in one act, written by Fred J. Morris, entitled “The Deserter.” The Era, 30 August 1916.
11 Sep 1916 Grand Opera House, Belfast Professional
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The Northern Whig, Tuesday 12 September 1916 reviewed Alias Jimmy Valentine at the Grand Opera House, Belfast the previous night, noting that ‘The play was preceded by a dramatic little curtain-raiser, “The Deserter,” which was capitally acted by Miss Dorothy West-Symes, Mr. Herbert Fox, Mr. Walter Clifford, and Mr. George Mayfield’. The Belfast Newsletter, 12 September 1916 noted, ‘“Alias Jimmy Valentine” will be preceded each evening by a one-act play entitled “The Deserter.”’ The Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1916 noted that ‘“The Deserter,” by Fred J. Morris, makes an admirable curtain-raiser’. The Era, 13 September 1916 noted that ‘The one-act play, The Deserter”, was an attractive curtain-raiser’.