The Supreme Sacrifice

‘On Monday at the Camberwell Empire Miss Sylvia Cavalho and Mr. Clifford Pembroke produced a new dramatic sketch, entitled The Supreme Sacrifice – England’s Call, written by William Moore, an Australian author’ (The Stage, 3 December 1914). ‘“The Supreme Sacrifice” shows in strong and pathetic fashion the sacrifices our women have made in the Great Cause. The piece is capitally acted by Miss Sylvia Cavalho and company’ (The Referee, 6 December 1914). The Era, 9 December 1914, reviewed ‘The Supreme Sacrifice’, a ‘Dramatic Sketch, by William Moore, Produced at the Camberwell Empire on Monday, Nov. 30’ .The cast was: Jack, Clifford Pembroke; Charlie, Frank Brunell; Mary, Sylvia Cavalho. The review continued: ‘Jack, “the hero” of this dramatic sketch, which contains many good lines, we learn at the opening is manager at Hanwell and Co.’s, and has just been offered a partnership in the firm, which, owing to Army contracts, is in a prosperous condition. His natural jubilation is shared his wife, and they are both rejoicing at their good fortune when a friend, Charlie, who has joined the Army, calls and tells Jack how much men are wanted and also how willingly his mother has let him go. When Charlie has departed, the wife, in a rather over-dramatic scene, insists on Jack giving up the partnership and enlisting, and, after some hesitation, the husband makes “The Supreme Sacrifice,” and upon Jack’s return both go off, leaving the wife sobbing. Mr. Clifford Pembroke as Jack gave an impressive impersonation, and Miss Sylvia Cavalho as Mary, his wife, was also good, but was at times inclined to over-act. Mr. Frank Brunell as Charlie lent to the part a vein of humour. The scenery and appointments alike were excellent’.