Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This "musical absurdity" has more to recommend it than the average Revue, in that it depends for its attraction on real fun, more or less. In the first scene in a shop, two men, Herbert and Ebenezer, in great terror of their bullying wives, are compelled by a Spanish bull-fight impresario, to take the place of a defaulting bull-fighter, on pain if they refuse of having their flirtations exposed to their wives. Then in scenes of their reception, preparing for the fray, etc., fun is got out of their terror, until in the arena, the thing ends in a comic and burlesque business. Some of the dialogue is vulgar, but not beyond the proficiency. It is simply knock-about fun. There are the usual topical songs. One verse (scene II. page 14) reflects on President Wilson, but it is I think only natural chaff. Recommended for Licence. G. S. Street.

Licensed On: 26 Sep 1916

License Number: 478

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British Library Reference: LCP1916/23

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66144 H

Performances

Date Theatre Type
2 Oct 1916 Hippodrome, Poplar Unknown Licensed Performance
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Advertised in The Stage, 28 September 1916. Also: 'Arthur Rose ... is responsible for the book and lyrics of the new revue at Poplar, “They Didn’t Want To Do It”' (The Era, 4 October 1916).
9 Oct 1916 Hippodrome, Lewisham Professional
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6.30 & 9pm. Featuring Charlie Rich, Hickey's Circus, Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, Elsie Roby, Melody Makers, Fred Keeton, Two Junes. (The Era - Wednesday 4 October 1916) At the Lewisham Hippodrome on Monday Mr. Lew Lake presented the musical extravaganza entitled "They Didn't Want To Do It" the book and lyrics by Mr. Arthur Rose. The hen-pecked husband on the stage if not in private life, always excites, the merriment of an audience, and there is two of them in Mr. Lew Lake's new production. Ebenezer is a little man whose personal appearance reminds one of the famous Charlie Chaplin, and he stands poor chance holding his own either verbal or physical encounters with his wife Maria, who is a big woman, friend Herbert is equally afraid of his better half, known as Sally; and a flirtation carried on by two pals on board the good ship "Albatross" with a couple of pretty girl passengers leads to serious results. When the party land in Spain a Spaniard who was a fellow passenger on board the vessel, threatens Ebenezer and Herbert that he will tell their wives about the flirtation unless the guilty couple consent to appear as bull-fighters at a show of this kind in which he is interested. The friends elect to face the bull rather than their wives; and this leads to some very amusing business which reaches its climax with a comic fight in the ring, the bovine terror eventually getting the worst of it. with a couple of such excellent comedians as Mr. Charlie Rich and Mr. Claude Gardner playing the parts of Herbert and Ebenezer the fun was well maintained from start to finish, and they were admirably supported by Miss Elsie Robey as Sally and Miss Ada Terry as Maria, the respective wives, both these ladies playing their parts the utmost briskness and missing no opportunities of scoring points. Mr. Freddie Malcolm proved a capital representative of Bobbie, Ebenezer's son and heir. In a scene preliminary to that of the burlesque bull-fight he made a hit with a well-rendered ditty, "Sweet Spanish Maid," and throughout his energetic assistance and genuine humour were invaluable. Mr. Forest Tell as Richard and Miss Dorothy Wheeler as Valencia contributed some charming ballads, sung in excellent style. Mr. Will E. Phillips is Signor Jose, Mr. Herbert Young as Signor Rodrigo and Mr. Stanley Roberts as the Mayor were all well suited. The chorus of good-looking girls were tastefully costumed and it was evident that they had been carefully trained, In a circus scene Mr. Albert Hickey introduced his unrideable mule, and those who attempted to mount the animal run the risk of a nasty kick. The variety part of the bill at Lewisham Hippodrome this week includes the Two Junes, vocalists and dancers, both dainty and pretty. Though both of the fair sex one adopts male attire and does an excellent step dance whilst the other received loud applause for a pas seul neatly executed. Their finale of the whirlwind order brings down the house. Fred Keeton in a parody of many songs is as funny as ever and Edward Croslands Melody Makers with some new songs and clever dances completes the Bill. (The Era Wednesday 11 October 1916)
16 Oct 1916 Empire Theatre, Croydon Professional
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6.30 & 8.50. Featuring Charlie Rich, Hickey's Circus, Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, Elsie Roby, Melody Makers, Fred Keeton, Two Junes, Griffiths & Carmer, Harry Freeman, Kitty Dale. (The Era - Wednesday 11 October 1916)
23 Oct 1916 Empire, Islington, London Professional
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6.30 & 9pm. Lew Lake presents "They Didn't Want To Do It." Featuring Charlie Rich, Freddie Malcolm, Forest Tell, Hickey's Circus, Dorothy Wheeler, Elsie Roby, Claude Gardner, Jillson Horace White. (The Era - Wednesday 18 October 1916) The principal feature of the entertainment at this handsome and commodious house, under the management of Mr. James A. Molloy, is the musical extravanganza "They Didn't Want To Do It". featuring Charlie Rich and Elsie Roby. It is presented by Lew Lake, book and lyrics by Arthur Rose. The scene opens on board ss Albatross, and we are introduced to the various characters, the two hen-pecked husbands and their Amazonian spouses, the toreador who won't fight, and the astute manager who lures the husbands on to act as bull-fighters for fear of having their flirtations related to their wives. Next we go to Spain, where the Mayor who welcomes among others the young lovers who were also aboard ship, in the shape of his daughter and a young officer, descantes on the terrible prowess of the bull, which has put paid to the accounts of sixty-nine toreadors and matadors. They are given a last chance to tell their wives, but prefer the jaws of death to the eternal jaw of their better halves. Phil Parsons is popular, and Messrs. Jazon and Montgomery vocal and terpsichorean novel "Revueland" brings an admirable programme to a close. (The Era - Wednesday 25 October 1916)
30 Oct 1916 Olympia, Shoreditch Professional
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(The Era - Wednesday 25 October 1916)
6 Nov 1916 Hippodrome, Willesden Professional
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6.30 & 9pm Charlie RIch, Freddie Malcolm, Forest Teller, Elsie Roby. (The Era - Wednesday 1 November 1916)
13 Nov 1916 Hippodrome, Balham Professional
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(The Era - 8 November 1916)
20 Nov 1916 Hippodrome, Putney Professional
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6.30 & 9pm The Didn't Want To Do It Charlie RIch, Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, Forest Teller, Elsie Roby, Princess D'aryaba, Ted Waite. (The Era - Wednesday 15 November 1916)
27 Nov 1916 Theatre Royal, Bournemouth Professional
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6.10 & 8.15 Monday 27 November and during week. Lew Lake presents a musical Extravaganza "They Didn't Want To Do It". In 5 scenes produced by Arthur Rose. Music by D.R. Henter. Dances and Ensembles by Fred Malcolm and Forest Tell. Cast includes: Charlie RIch, Claude Gardner, Charles Franklin, Steven Young, Dorothy Wheeler, Fred Malcolm, Forest Tell, Billy Phillips, Ada Terry, Elsie Roby. (Bournemouth Graphic Friday 24 November 1916)
11 Dec 1916 Hippodrome, Woolwich Professional
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6.30 & 8.30. Matinee Thursday 2.30. Featuring Charlie Rich, , Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, Elsie Roby, Thorn & Leopold, Clifford & Gray, Ada Wise. (The Era - Wednesday 6 December 1916)
18 Dec 1916 Empire Theatre, Birmingham Professional
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P. Moss' Empires, A.M., Mr. G.E. Williams - "They Didn't Want To Do It," Lew Lake's new production earns a good reception here. Charlie Rich is the leading individualist, but there is plenty of other talent in the cast and the show goes with a good swing. Freddie Malcolm and Forest Tell who have a hand in elaborating new dances and ensembles for the production, figure on the stage, as does Claude Gardner. Among the ladies Elsie Roby, Ada Terry, and Dorothy Wheeler take the leads. Variety turns are contributed by George d'Albert, Jock Whiteford, and the Flying Reos. (The Era - Wednesday 20 December 1916)
8 Jan 1917 Palace Theatre, Reading Professional
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The Era, 10 January 1917, listed the revue 'They Didn't Want To Do It' as On The Road from 8 January at the Palace, Reading.
22 Jan 1917 Collins' Music Hall, Islington, London Professional
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When Fred Malcolm, playing Bobby in 'They Didn't Want To Do It', inserted a variety card in The Era, 24 January 1917, his address was Collins's, Islington.
5 Feb 1917 Empire, Bristol Professional
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At the Empire next week Lew Lake will present Charlie Rich and a talented company in a musical extravaganza entitled "The Didn't Want To Do It." The production is in five scenes, and the book and lyrics are by Arthur Rose. The cast includes Freddie Malcolm, Forest Tell, Claude Gardner, W.E.Phillips, Ada Terry, Dorothy Wheeler, and Elsie Roby, and a full chorus of trained vocals. The variety turns for the week include Vespers Violets, an impressive musical scena, Bonnett and Corri comedy jugglers, and Dolly Dreadland, comedienne. (Western Daily Press - Saturday 3 February 1917)
12 Mar 1917 Hippodrome, Coventry Professional
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Mr. Lew Lake's big company of music-hall artistes headed by Charlie Rich will present at the Hippodrome next week a musical extravaganza entitled "The Didn't Want To Do It." It is in five scenes and lyrics by Arthur Rose and music by D.R.Hunter. The company will include Elsie Roby, Freddie Malcolm, W.E.Phillips, Forest Tell, Ada Terry, Claude Gardner, Dorothy Wheeler, and a full chorus. Other turns will be contributed by Tom E. Dean, comedian, and Paul Freeman 'the veritable king of cards" who will present "new and daring effects in modern magic." including a sensation entitled "Metastasis" in which there is a quick change escape and transposition in 45 seconds. (Coventry Evening Telegraph - Saturday 10 March 1917
19 Mar 1917 Hippodrome, Nottingham Professional
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6.40 & 9pm. Charlie Rich and Company in the Musical Extravaganza "They Didn't Want To Do It." (Nottingham Journal Thursday 22 March 1917)
26 Mar 1917 Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Professional
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Twice nightly 6.50 & 9pm Book and lyrics by Arthur Rose. They Didn't Want To Do It in five scenes. The cast includes Charlie Rich, Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, W.E. Phillips, Arthur Stratton, Ada Terry, Winnie Mayhorn, and Elsie Roby. (The Scotsman - Tuesday 27 March 1917)
14 May 1917 Tivoli Theatre, Hull Professional
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They Didn't Want To Do It is presented by Lew Lake's Company. The cast is a strong one including, Charlie Rich, Freddie Malcolm, Claude Gardner, Arthur Stratton, Elsie Roby, Molly Moore, and Ada Terry. The programme is completed by Sara Melita, and John Pastor, and Madge Mole. (The Stage - Thursday 17 May 1917)
4 Jun 1917 Hippodrome, Leeds Professional
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Lew Lake's musical show "They Didn't Want To Do It is the star turn at the Hippodrome. The chief fun-maker is Charlie Rich and other well-known names are Elsie Robey, Freddie Malcolm, Forest Tell, Ada Leary, Molly Moor & CO. Other turns on the programme include Mary Law, the talented and artistic violinist and the Miyake Troup of Japanese Conjurors. (The Era - Wednesday 6 June 1917)