Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

A quaint and very ingenuous [sic] mélange of spy-play, sporting melodrama, patriotic spectacle and domestic farce. It sets forth the story of a certain General Fleichman who, although apparently in the English army, is bent upon sending information to the German enemy. As accomplice he has a wife who had a child by her former lover, Colonel King, upon whom she now seeks to avenge her wrongs by stealing from him the usual secret dispatches. In this effort she is accidentally foiled by her own long-lost child, whose adventures with a company of strolling players afford the underplot. Interwoven with these tangled threads is that of a baffled attempt to drug a Derby favourite on the part of the wicked General, who in the end suffers, as does his female accomplice, for criminal folly by its punishment on the Belgian frontier. The whole play is wild nonsense but is quite harmless and is accordingly Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall

Researcher's Summary:

An earlier version of Arthur Rosebery’s Three Little Britons, with the same title, was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Torquay, on 30 July 1900. A review in The Era, 11 August 1900, records that it was written by A. Newman and A. Gurney and produced by Arthur Rosebery. Its characters included several taken over by Rosebery for his own play: Colonel King, General Flashman (Rosebery’s Fleichman), Paddy Murphy, and the ‘three little Britons’ Jack, Tom and Kitty. Newman and Gurney’s play had a scene set at Epsom Downs on Derby Day, as did Rosebery’s (and as also did Rosebery's later play, Real Sports); and their play ended in South Africa, with Flashman fighting for the Boers and Colonel King leading the British troops, which Rosebery updated to WW1 France. Newspapers often described the play as a topical and patriotic military drama whose theme was the ‘spy peril’; and the Hampshire Advertiser, 30 January 1915, and Derby newspapers in March 1915 said that it illustrated ‘the bright future in store for the boy who serves his King and country’ in the army or navy. Three Little Britons was thus one of a number of plays written in the early part of the war which sought to encourage recruitment. It included several songs and dances with music by H. Sullivan-Brooke, nephew of Sir Arthur Sullivan. It toured in January-April 1915, three of its leading performers (Edmund Sydney, Madge Soutter and Gertie Gascoyne) finding parts in other shows by the end of the latter month.

Licensed On: 24 Dec 1914

License Number: 3135

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

British Library Reference: LCP1914/38

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66086 H

Performances

Date Theatre Type
4 Jan 1915 Theatre Royal, Stratford Unknown Licensed Performance
4 Jan 1915 Theatre Royal, Stratford Professional
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‘The military drama, “Three Little Britons,” in four acts and twelve scenes, written by A. Rosebery, with music composed by H. Sullivan Brooke, will be produced at the Theatre Royal, Stratford, on Monday next. The company includes Messrs Arthur Elwyn, Edmund Sydney, James Wilton, and F. Roy Jackson, Misses Olive Warne, Madge Soutter, Gertie Gascoyne, and the Dapper Dandy Girls. Mr. Francis B. Oliver will be manager’ (The Era, 30 December 1914). ‘At the Theatre Royal, Stratford, tomorrow night, will be presented the stirring drama, entitled “The Three Little Britons,” written by Arthur Rosebery. It embraces any number of stirring and life-like scenes, ranging from the great race for the Derby to the winning the V.C. amongst the realistic presentments of a battle field’ (The People, 3 January 1915). Reviewed in The Era, 6 January 1915, as a revival of the piece originally produced in 1900, with the dialogue and military situation brought up to date, which ‘is being received with much favour’.
18 Jan 1915 Alexandra Theatre, Hull Professional
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‘A Virile Patriotic Play. The patriotic military play, “Three Little Britons,” will be presented at the Alexandra Theatre next week. To enable its presentation twice nightly at 6.50 and 9, it will be played in 15 scenes. The dramatist’s original motive was to show there was hope for every boy, however obscure his birth, in the service of his King. Every little orphan waif or stray could win promotion and honour in the service of his country ... It is only during the present war the public have realised the peril of the spies among us, and General and Madame Fleichman are typical secret service agents. Colonel King is a typical soldier of the king: foremost in sport and foremost against the foe in Britannia’s hour of danger. The play will be carefully staged, the scenes including the ball room; Epsom Downs on Derby Day, showing the race for the Derby; the Colonel’s quarters, and the Land of Battle. The company includes Arthur Elwyn as Colonel King, F. Roy Jackson as General Fleichman, Edmund Sydney as Lieutenant Woods, and James Wilton as Paddy Murphy, Olive Warne as Madame Fleichman, Julia Mortimer as Rosie Woods, Gertie Gascoyne as Biddy, and Madge Soutter (an old Hull favourite), Bessie Gordon and Doris Thompson as the Three Little Britons, who are sure to become favourites with their songs and dances' (Hull Daily Mail, 15 January 1915). ‘“Three Little Britons” is a play of the type which several years ago seemed to the supine average person a licensed freak of the melodramatist’s fancy. Time has enacted its own revenge by supporting with repeated proof every accusation it makes against the peeping and prying system with which the enemy (England has only had one enemy for 45 years!) has honeycombed our life. Therefore, the inveterate propensity to ejaculate “I told you so!” will be indulged now by the play’s admirers, the ranks of whom have evidently been considerably stiffened, if one may trust the signs at the Alexandra Theatre last night. As we say, it deals with the secret agent system which was the advance guard for the enemy in England, and with the many opportunities for the lad who joins the Army or Navy, and “goes straight,” when he gets there' (Hull Daily Mail, 19 January 1915). ‘Recently at Hull over 15,000 people paid to see “Three Little Britons”‘ (Staffordshire Sentinel, 13 March 1915).
25 Jan 1915 Metropole Theatre, Manchester Professional
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‘“Three Little Britons,” a military drama, appears again in Manchester at the Metropole after many years’ absence. A feature of the play is the “Derby,” in which three horses take part. The last scene is in France, where the British capture a village from the enemy' (Manchester Evening News, 26 January 1915). ‘“Three Little Britons” is a topical military drama which found great favour at the Metropole Theatre last night. It is handsomely mounted and capably interpreted' (Manchester Daily Citizen, 26 January 1915).
1 Feb 1915 Grand, Southampton Professional
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'The spy peril is the stirring theme of the drama, and interwoven with the events are illustrations of the bright future in store for the boy who faithfully serves his King and country, as so many boys are doing now. The play is arranged in many fine and effective scenes that range from Epsom Downs on Derby Day to the land of death and glory. In the sensational journey from the racing track to the ballroom the audience witness some remarkable changes in the scenes of life; but the dramatic element by no means predominates, as there are good vocalists and dancers in the cast, and Mr. H. Sullivan-Brooke, nephew of Sir Arthur Sullivan, has provided some charming musical numbers, notably “Three Merry Little Britons,” “Keep the Old Flag Flying, Boys,” and “She’s the Finest.” The Mayor and Mayoress will witness the performance of this patriotic and stirring drama on Monday’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 30 January 1915). 'This military drama has aroused keen interest at the Grand Theatre this week. It is musical as well as topical, the little trio - Kitty, Jack, and Tom - who are the central figures, having had vocal numbers specially written for them by Mr. H. Sullivan-Brooke. The romantic plot circles round the spy peril, something which existed only in imagination a few months ago, but is very real to us now. The moral of the drama shows what a fine opening exists for good little boys and girls in a patriotic life, and doing your duty for King and Country. There is an embarrassment of good things in the fine scenes as they rapidly pass by, and these are as varied as they are attractive, ranging from an exciting race on Epsom Downs to a deck of a warship, a battle field, and the ball room at a fashionable dance. Here a procession of the Allied nations takes place, for the drama is right up to date as well as being an object lesson to young and old. The three little Britons, the Misses Bessie Gordon, Madge Soutter, and Doris Thompson, are vivacious little artistes, and sing “Keep the Old Flag Flying,” “Three Marry Little Britons,” and “She’s the Fairest.” There is, of course, a hero and a villain, and all play well’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 6 February 1915).
8 Feb 1915 Grand, Swansea Professional
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The Era, 10 February 1915, listed Three Little Britons as On Tour from 8 February at the G.T., Swansea.
22 Feb 1915 Junction Theatre, Manchester Professional
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‘The fare at the Junction Theatre, Hulme, next week is very topical, the management producing “Three Little Britons,” a fine military drama in fourteen scenes. The plot of this story … is wrapped round the spy peril, and is worked out in many thrilling incidents in which patriotism plays a great part. The play is a very old one, but interest in it is revived during these stirring war times’ (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 20 February 1915). ‘“Three Little Britons,” produced at the Grand Junction Theatre, is a drama in which martial and sporting matters predominate. The proceedings are enlivened with choruses of up-to-date songs, and some good fooling by James C. Wilton. Arthur Elwyn and Miss Mamie Holland in the principal roles play well’ (Manchester Evening News, 23 February 1915). ‘“Three Little Britons,” the play produced at the Junction Theatre last night, is virile drama, with the military flavour which is always fashionable, but particularly so to-day. It is capably played by a company including Messrs.. Edmund Sydney and Barry Charles, and the Misses Mamie Holland and Gertie Gascoyne’ (Manchester Daily Citizen, 23 February 1915).
8 Mar 1915 Kelly's Theatre, Liverpool Professional
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‘A breezy military play, entitled “Three Little Britons,” is the attraction at Kelly’s Theatre this week. The theme is the German spy system, and some very exciting incidents are portrayed. An additional attractiveness is given by musical interludes’ (Liverpool Echo, 9 March 1915). ‘That breezy British military play entitled “Three Little Britons” was on Monday evening presented to a large audience at Kelly’s Theatre, Liverpool. The piece is full of interest throughout, and several of the scenes are exceedingly effective, notably Epsom Downs on Derby Day. The numerous characters in the production are capably sustained' (Birkenhead News, 10 March 1915).
15 Mar 1915 Hippodrome, Stoke-on-Trent Professional
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‘The military drama “Three Little Britons” will be presented on Monday at the Hippodrome, Stoke. The spy peril is used as the dramatic theme. The title-roles are filled by professional singers and dancers, for whom H. Sullivan-Brooke (nephew of Sir Arthur Sullivan) has provided some charming musical numbers, notably, “Three Merry Little Britons,” “Keep the Old Flag Flying, Boys,” and “She’s the fairest"' (Staffordshire Sentinel, 13 March 1915). ‘At the Stoke Hippodrome this week, there is a return from variety fare to drama, a company which is reputed to have attained considerable popularity in its tour of the provinces presenting the play, “Three Little Britons.” It is a sporting military drama, and as it is presented in no fewer than fourteen scenes, there in little ground for complaint on the score of lack of variety. The plot is not a particularly well knit one, but in so far as it affords scope for patriotic passages it makes a considerable appeal. Quite a feature of the play is the racecourse scene' (Staffordshire Sentinel, 16 March 1915).
22 Mar 1915 Grand Theatre, Derby Professional
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‘The twice nightly season opens at the Grand Theatre on Monday next with the “Three Little Britons,” a patriotic military drama. It is only quite recently the British public have realised the spy peril in their midst. This is the dramatic theme, and interwoven with it is the bright future in store for the boy who serves his King and country in the Army or Navy. We have revelled so long in peace, we had almost forgotten the dangers of war and the valour of our sailors and soldiers. The play is arranged in four acts and 14 scenes, that vary from Epsom Downs on Derby Day to the Land of Death, where our finest sportsmen have always behaved under renown against the foe. From the interior of a booth to the ballroom every scene is part of the main theme' (Derby Daily Telegraph, 20 March 1915). 'on Monday ... the patriotic military drama, “Three Little Britons,” was produced, and there were capital attendances at both houses ... Written by Mr. Arthur Roseberry [sic], and presented by his company, “Three Little Britons” deals with the spy mania, and shows the bright future in store for the boy who serves his King and country in the Army or Navy. The story centres around the lives of three little children, who have been “pinched,” as they describe it, and are brought up in a temple of varieties, and by the way ill-treated One of these is the child of Col. Robert King, V.C., whose mother, Isabel Fleichman, has abandoned her and married General Fleichman, who is an out-and-out spy, and compels his wife to do his bidding. The story is easily followed throughout the 14 scenes, which vary from the Downs at Epsom to the Land of Death, where the rival generals meet, and in a fight to finish with swords the Britisher wins and the Union Jack is hoisted over the captured territory ... The music is one of the features of the production, and all the principal parts are in good hands ... Some of the scenes are distinctly fine’ (Derby Daily Telegraph, 23 March 1915).
29 Mar 1915 Theatre Royal, Bolton Professional
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When James C. Wilton and Constance Elgin inserted theatrical cards in The Stage on 25 March and 1 April 1915 respectively, their address for the week beginning 29 March was the Theatre Royal, Bolton.
5 Apr 1915 Theatre Royal, Jarrow Professional
Read Narrative
‘This week Mr. Arthur Rosebery’s company have been appearing at the local theatre in “Three Little Britons,” the title role being ably sustained by Miss Bessie Gordon as Kitty, Miss Madge Soutter as Jack, and Miss Doris Thompson as Tom. They fully maintain the title of the piece and sing a number of topical songs. They are responsible for a great deal of amusement. Mr. Arthur Elwyn makes an ideal soldier as Col. Robert King, a man who has served his country and King well. He is the hero marked for the enmity of the schemers, but he escapes their plans by good fortune. Miss Mamie Holland is particularly good as Rosina Woods, the colonel’s fiancee. The schemers try to separate the lovers but the plot fails. Mr. F. Roy Jackson takes the part of General Fleichman, a foreigner seeking all the information he can get. He tries to accomplish the downfall of Colonel King but fails at the last minute. Miss Constance Elgin takes the part of Isabel Fleichman, the general’s wife, with great success. She is an old sweetheart of the colonel’s and tries to win back her old sway over him, but fails in the attempt. Mr. Edmund Sydney is very good as Lieut. Victor Woods, brother of Rosina. He falls into the toils of Isabel Fleichman but is saved by his sister. The lighter part the play is in the able hands of Mr. James C. Wilton as Paddy Murphy and Miss Gertie Gascoyne as Biddy Murphy. They are the owners of a travelling show, and the three little Britons travel with them. Miss Phyllis Julian takes the part of Marie, the maid, with great success. All the parts are well taken and the scenery is very appropriate. A fine scene of the deck of battleship is seen in the thirteenth scene. The singing and dancing are very good’ (Jarrow Express, 9 April 1915).