Pictures of the Year

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

A woman having, in accordance with tradition, opened her door to let in the New Year, receives him clad in a monk's dark robe and makes him less inclined to tell her of the future than to learn from her the history of the Old Year. This she illustrates for him in a series of pictures to which she recites by way of explanation some verses dealing with the Battle of Jutland, the bravery of Tommies in the trenches, the Zeppelin raids, the death of Lord Kitchener and the leadership of Mr Lloyd George, whose portrait ends the exhibition. Impressive in a quite desirable way, if adequately carried out. Recommended by Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

This short piece was licensed for performance at the King's Theatre, Portsmouth but the earliest recorded performance appears to have been at the Metropolitan Music Hall, London in February 1917 (The Stage, 1/2/17). Mr Charles Sugden starred in the piece as the 'New Year' alongside his wife.