The Better ‘Ole

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This spirited sketch dramatizes the pictorial and verbal humour familiar in Bairnsfather cartoons and their legends. its introduces the stolid old bill, the lady-killing Bert and the lively Alf as they figure in sing-songs at the base, in the trenches, and finally, back in ‘blighty’ on leave. The only story knitting together the scenes is that of old Bill’s chance discovery of a plot by a Hun spy to blow up a bridge, of his gallant success in circumventing it and of the temporary misunderstand of his action which is cleared up in the honours awarded to him for his gallantry. The study of life as it is lived by cheery plucky Tommies at the front, of their fine qualities and their amiable weaknesses, is full of vigour and humour. There is perhaps a trifle to much of it for artistic purposes; but it is sound and tactful throughout, not less in its handling of military discipline than in that of canteen courtship; and it will well deserve its probable popularity recommended for license Ernest A. Bendall. ‘The Better ‘Ole' (additional’ for the Oxford Theatre, 1st June). This is a new scene of the second act, illustrating some more of the grousing of Alf - this time over the loss of his lighter just when he is going on leave - and yet another of the flirtations of ‘erb. He is getting on nicely with his latest lady-love when he is confronted by a bevy of her predecessors, each flourishing the identity disc presented by him as a pledge of his affection. The genial fun, which is typical of the play, is harmless; but the song with which it is to wind up must, if a new one be forwarded for consideration. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall. All songs now forwarded and passed. E. A. Bendall. [30 may 1918] ‘The kiddies in the ruins’ - 1 act of the Oxford Music Hall. [13 June 1918] a poignant little war-sketch adapted from the French for interpolation in 'The Better ‘Ole’. It shows the children of a Somme village which has just been wantonly wrecked by the bosches before their retirement, imitatively playing soldiers in their ruined homesteads and gardens, while their mothers crawl sadly out of their cellar retreats. Presently there is an alarm of the return of the soldiery, which however turns out to be French and British and friendly air-men. There follow painful meetings between soldiers and their women folk whom they have come to defend almost too late; agonised stories of the horrors which have been suffered; tearful partings at the call of duty once more. The dramatization of the acute distress so familiar through newspaper reports is effected with discretion as well as deep feeling; and the realistic sentiment should contrast sensationally with the genial trench-humours which are to affect its setting at the Oxford. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall. The additional lines for introducing the sketch in 'the better 'ole' are also passed. E. A. Bendall 20 June 1918.

Researcher's Summary:

The Better 'Ole was a wartime phenomenon which was performed by three companies from autumn 1917 until the end of the war. On 25 June 1918, a new scene was added to the Oxford Theatre (formerly Music Hall), London production. This was an episode entitled 'The Kiddies in the Ruins' and subtitled 'A Cameo of Child Life in War Time'. It was adapted by Brigadier-General Cannot, C.M.G, D.S.O from 'Les Gosses dans les Ruines' by Paul Gsell adn Poulbot. It was set on the Somme on the morning of May 1917.