The Girl and the Blackguard

The entire comedy is written in the story, and at each of the three performances on Monday the laughter lasted from tree to five minutes after the curtain had fallen on the first part. Proprietors, Managers, and Agents should take an early opportunity of seeing this production. (The Stage - Thursday 29 March 1917)

The story of an English governess and the Huns in a Royal palace in Germany, is told in dramatic form at the Aston Theatre Royal, in the new play by Royce Carleton, entitled "The Girl and the Blackguard." Mr. Edward Warden in the principal part of William Cronpriness (the blackguard), fully interpreted the author's ideas, and Miss Daisy Cooke gave a satisfactory portrayal of the governess, Helen Maynard. (Birmingham Daily Gazette - Tuesday 03 April 1917)

Twice nightly 6.40 and 9pm. Matinee Wednesday at 2.30. (Kent Messenger and Gravesend Telegraph - Saturday 21 April 1917)

Evenings 6.30 and 9pm. Matinee Monday 2.30. (The Stage - Thursday 03 May 1917)

The Girl and the Blackguard is the drama which drew a large audience to the Metropole. It is the story of an English girl's experience with the Huns, and the scenes are laid in Germany and London. The drama is presented by a capable company, with Miss Grace Emery, and Mr Victor Rae in the leading parts. (Daily Record - Tuesday 08 May 1917)

The compositor of a certain contemporary the other week inadvertently used the letter L instead of R in setting up the words of the Crown Prince. Was this with intent? At anyrate his idiosyncracies of the offspring of the supreme Hun was well earned his title, and it is as the Crown Prince he is made to appear in the famous comedy drama "The Girl and the Blackguard" which comes to the Empire Theatre on Monday June 4th. This play has caused quite a furore in all the leading cities, and as the company comes direct from the Metropole Theatre Glasgow after a four weeks stay there, and includes many well-known artistes, the playgoers of Motherwell may well look forward to a rare dramatic treat. The company also play the successful question drama "His Second Wife?" on Wednesday and Thursday. (Motherwell Times - Friday 01 June 1917)

A play in nine scenes, "The Girl and the Blackguard," is the strong attraction at the Lyceum. The story tells of the adventures of a British governess in Hun-land, and there are many thrilling episodes. The company responsible is that of Messrs. Frederick Baugh and Royce Carleton, and they sustain interest from start to finish. In addition to the play, several interesting films are shown. (Daily Record - Tuesday 12 June 1917)

Legitimate drama holds the boards this week, and two strong plays are presented by Messrs. Fred Baugh and Royce Carlton's companys. On Monday night, a well filled house witnessed "The Girl and the Blackguard" an imaginary satirical story of life at the German Eperor's Court. So vividly has Mr Royce Carlton pointed the characteristics of the All Highest and his regenerate son that, should "Big WIllie" ever set foot in this country, he will at once strafe the author of this play. The plot is fully up to date, and conveys an idea of the intrigue and plotting which existed in Germany before the war. As the title implies, William Cronpriss ("Little Willie,") is the blackguard, and the author has done his best to show that individual up in his true colours. Despite his infatuous passion for his English governess he finds that British pluck is up against him in the person of the British military attache, who thwarts all his vile schemes. The play is full of interest from the first to the last act, and was followed closely by an appreciative audience. Mr. John F. Traynor acted the trying part of "William Caynor" (Big Willie) in a dignified manner, his general make-up being very lifelike. An equally exacting part was that of "William Cronpriss" ((Little Willie), but in the hands of Mr. A.B. MacKay it received a splendid delineation. The other characters in the play, who acted their parts with perfect histrionic ability were:- Lord Ewart of Glenmorn (British Military Attache), Victor Ray; Sir Evelyn Bond (British Ambassador), George H. Doyle; Nobby Clarke (Lord Ewart's servant) Louis Gaye; the Prince Royal (Little Willie's son), Betty Dickens; The Countess of Pfenningmark (Nobby's ownest), Grace Emery; The Crown Princess (Little Willie's Poor Wife), Ida MacKay; The Baroness von Mecklemeistern (some mustard), Evelyn Brewster, and Helen Maynard (the English governess), Mona Hall. The same company will stage "His Second Wife" tonight and tomorrow, whilst on Saturday, "The Girl and the Blackguard" will be repeated at 7 and 9 o'clock. (Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette - Thursday 14 June 1917)

Twice nightly 6.30 and 9pm. Matinees Wednesday 2.30. Soldiers half price. (Evening Despatch - Tuesday 03 July 1917) At the Bordesley Palace "The Girl and the Blackguard," staged by Frederick Baugh and Royce Carleton, attracted large audiences. The company is an excellent one, and the play admirably staged. Mr. Royce Carleton, the author of the comedy drama appeared as Lord Ewart with success, and Miss Margaret Hobart as the leading lady was heartily received. (Birmingham Mail - Tuesday 03 July 1917)

"The Girl and the Blackguard" is the title of the drama to be presented at The Palace next week, and as it deals with facts culled from the life of "The Clown Prince" it should prove an unquestionable draw. It will be fresh in the memory of most of our readers that an English lady who had held the post of governess in a certain noble Prussian family, on making her escape from Germany to England, made an exposure of many incidents which came under her personal view in the German capital. It is from this material that the author has written his play. "The Girl and the Blackguard" so that apart from actual amusement to be found at the Palace next week there will be the added piquancy of witnessing actual history. The management have shown enterprise in producing the presentation of this drama, which will have a strong cast including the well-known Adelphi actor Mr. Royce Carleton, and perhaps the highest paid comedian out of London Mr. Leo Rose. The play affords great scope for display, and this has been taken full advantage of by Messrs. Baugh and Carleton, responsible for staging of this production in Derby. (Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 07 July 1917) "The Girl and the Blackguard" should draw large audiences to the Palace all through this week, not only on account of its special interest in these times relating as it does episodes from the life of the "Crown Prince" but also because of the original and business like way in which it is presented. Not a second is wasted, and as the American would say, "they do hustle some." Messrs. Baugh and Royce Carleton are responsible for its presentation, the latter taking the part of Lord Ewart of Glenmore, Attache to the Court, while Miss Margaret Hobart appears as Helen Maynard a young English girl. The plot is founded on the revelations made by an English lady who had held her post as a governess in a noble Prussian family and made her escape to England where she exposed many infamous incidents, which came under her notice. While some startling revelations are made, there is nothing in the play to offend, but on the contrary, there is much to provide a hearty laugh. The story proceeds, and shows the Prince enjoying himself with the French wines, and concludes with peace being declared and the boys coming home. Other characters introduced include the Prince Royal, who is being brought up by Hunnish methods and is brutally treated; Sir Evelyn Bond, the British Ambassador, and Nobby Clarke, Lord Ewart's soldier servant. The character of the Kaiser is well brought out, and the cowardice of the Crown Prince is another striking feature. (Derby Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 10 July 1917)

Nightly at 7pm, Monday at 2pm. (The People - Sunday 15 July 1917)

(The Era - Wednesday 25 July 1917)

Tonight at 6.0 and 9. The successful novelty drama, "The Girl and the Blackguard." (Western Morning News - Monday 05 November 1917) The German Kaiser and the Crown Prince are on the boards at the Grand Theatre, Plymouth, this week. The play, which claims to be "the most novel drama of the century," is entitled "The Girl and the Blackguard." the girl (Miss Violet Ingram) being an English governess in the house of the Crown Prince, and the blackguard - the colour is laid on rather thick - is the Crown Prince himself. William the Kaiser is played by Mr. Wilfred H. Benson, and William the CrownPrince, otherwise "the dirty dog" by Eric Morden, whose get up, judging by the familiar pictures of "Little WIllie" is admirable. The hero of the piece is an Attache of the British Embassy, Lord Ewart of Glenmore (Fred Edouin), who is, of course, in love with the heroine, and after many adventures has his reward. Joseph Poulton makes a dignified British Ambassador, Sir Evelyn Bond, who when war breaks out, is made a prisoner by the Crown Prince. The villaneous, or as she is called "a female Hun," who makes dupre of the Royal personage and is the unscrupulous enemy of the heroine and her lover, is played with great success by Miss Gwendoline Verchoyle. She gets the Crown Prince completely under her thumb, and the Crown Princess (Miss Maud Garth) is described as "a forsaken wife," and the Princess Royal (little Miss Mabel King) is "a lonely child," whom the English governess has to nurse through an attack of diptheria because his mother and father forsake him. The comedy of the piece is, as usual, supplied with great gusto and effect by Miss Maudie B. Douglas and Mr. Dick Seddon; but the Kaiser and the Crown Prince are made to contribute largely to the desire of the audience to laugh although their laughter in this case is derisive. The play begins before warr, and ends with the British troops entering Berlin! The play was enjoyed last night by crowded houses. (Western Morning News- Tuesday 06 November 1917)