Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

An old gunner, who by his savings in 'the teapot' has managed to make up his grandson a Midshipman, is horrified by the demand for £50 made by a scamp who alleges that, in return for a loan over a betting transaction, the lad has signed a paper promising possession of a secret code signal-book. Happily a sturdy old pal of the gunner saves the situation by threatening to give the scoundrel into custody and get him shot as a self-convicted spy. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall

Licensed On: 7 Dec 1914

License Number: 3066

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British Library Reference: LCP1914/35

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66083 S

Performances

Date Theatre Type
14 Dec 1914 Palace Theatre, Southampton Unknown Licensed Performance
14 Dec 1914 Palace Theatre, Southampton Professional
Read Narrative
Review from The Stage - Thursday 17 December 1914 On Monday evening, December 14, 1914, was produced at the Palace,Southampton, a one-act play, by F. Dawson Buckley and J.A. Bentham, entitled:- The Teapot. Produced by F. Rawson Buckley. The curtain rises on ex-Gunner James Carlin, who, although himself belonging to the lower deck, has succeeded in giving to his grandson an education that has enabled him to obtain a commission as a midshipman in the Royal Navy. He is accompanied by Colour-Sergt. John Gregory, an old chum of his, and incidentally serving in the same ship; and they are anxiously awaiting a visit from the grandson, Cyril Jones, in whom the old man has long centred his hopes of his becoming an officer by means of the hard-earned savings that have accumulated in the “Teapot.” The appearance of Jerry Seabright with a bill of exchange for £50, which is demanded for a supposed debt contracted by the grandson a year previously, causes no little misgiving and heart burning, but when the young midshipman arrives he is able to pronounce the document a forgery, as well as to clear himself of a false charge in connection with a secret code book. The evil design of Jerry Seabright being frustrated, the midshipman leaves his now contented old grandfather in order to join his ship, and the old man replaces in the teapot the money which had been temporarily jeopardised. The sketch is well written and admirably played, the greater part of the work falling on Mr. F. Rawson Buckley, who gives a fine impersonation of the old ex-gunner. The other parts are suitably sustained by Mr. J.A. Bentham, Mr. W.F. Jackman, and Mr. Frank Lorriman. The Teapot also plays an important role and takes a curtain by itself at the end of the play.