A German Shell

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This little play defined as a ‘Sinn Fein episode’, is a vigorous dramatic argument between two Irish brothers, one of whom has enlisted and has fought in France, while the other has become an officer in the sinn fein ‘army’. The latter preaches that ‘if the Germans win they will help our cause’, and his brother sensibly points out that ‘if the Germans win’ there will be no cause to help. The Sinn Feiner remains unconvinced till he hears from his soldier-brother that his own betrothed, a Red Cross nurse, has been killed by one of the shells which the Germans deliberately drop upon hospitals. Thereupon he resolves to join up with his brother to fight the inhuman foes of England who cannot possibly be Ireland’s true friends. The political and patriotic motive is driven home with much force, if with scant subtlety; and the sketch can only do good. Recommended for license Ernest A. Bendall

Researcher's Summary:

The sketch, performed as part of a variety bill, was toured by a small company led by Ernest Montefiore. Only a few performances have been identified in 1919 although Montefiore was still advertising ‘A German Shell’ in The Stage, 4 and 18 December 1919.

Licensed On: 4 Dec 1917

License Number: 1266

British Library Reference: LCP1917/24

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66179 E

Performances

Date	Theatre	Type
N/A	Theatre Royal, Great Yarmouth	Unknown	Licensed Performance
6 May 1918	Empire Theatre, Burnley	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Admirable sentiments are expressed in that stirring sketch, “A German Shell.” Voicing with conviction the opinions of patriotic Britain, “Jim” finds the audience entirely with him, as is shown by their spontaneous applause. The entire company presented by Messrs. J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore, does adequate justice to the message entrusted to them. The ease with which the parts of the old Irish parents are taken reflects great credit on the actors. The splendid acting of Michael, the Sinn Fein officer, forces us to feel almost sympathy with the cause he advocates. The ultimate victory is secured by the “Khaki Man,” however, and the acting of both men is pre-eminently real’. Burnley News, 8 May 1918.
20 May 1918	Palace, Blackburn	Professional	Read Narrative Included by The Era, 12 June 1918, in a list of ‘productions of the month’, as ‘A sketch by J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore’.
27 May 1918	Hippodrome, Accrington	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Accrington Observer and Times, 25 May 1918: ‘J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore present “A German Shell"' as part of a variety bill.
10 Jun 1918	Borough Theatre, Wallsend	Professional	Read Narrative When Mannix advertised A German Shell in The Stage, 13 June 1918, his address was the Boro’, Wallsend.
17 Jun 1918	Theatre Royal, Blyth	Professional	Read Narrative When Mannix advertised A German Shell in The Stage, 13 June 1918, his address from 17 June was the T.R., Blyth.
24 Jun 1918	Borough Theatre, North Shields	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Shields Daily News, 24 June 1918, as ‘a stirring sketch’.
22 Jul 1918	Hippodrome, Rochdale	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Crowded audiences at the Hippodrome on Monday might seemed well pleased with the patriotic sketch “A German shell,” presented by Messrs. J. J. Mannix and E. Montefiore. The parts were well acted, Mr. Montefiore and Mr. C. Carte especially giving very capable studies. The Irishman who went farming in Canada years before returned in the uniform of the British Army, and when his brother, a Sinn Fein officer in Ireland, learned of the heroism of a nurse - his fiancee she proved to be - who was killed by a German shell, he decided at once to be done with Sinn Fein and fight the cause of the freedom of all small nations’. Rochdale Observer, 24 July 1918.
29 Jul 1918	Palace, Hammersmith	Professional	Read Narrative Reviewed in The Era, 31 July 1918, as a sketch by J. J. Mannix (but largely illegible on the British Newspaper Archive). The cast was Charles Carte as Michael Flynn, Alfred Sanders as Thomas Flynn, Lizzie Gordon as Margaret Flynn and Ernest Montefiore as Jim Flynn.
19 Aug 1918	?, Bradford	Professional	Read Narrative Mannix advertised in The Stage, 13 June 1918, for theatres for A German Shell for 26 August and 2 September ‘between Bradford & Bolton’.
9 Sep 1918	?, Bolton	Professional	Read Narrative Mannix advertised in The Stage, 13 June 1918, for theatres for A German Shell for 26 August and 2 September ‘between Bradford & Bolton’.
23 Sep 1918	Palace Theatre, Aberdeen	Professional	Read Narrative ‘The top-of-the-bill turn is a sketch presented by Messrs J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore, entitled “A German Shell,” in which the effect of the brutality of the Germans is brought out. The scene is laid in the living room of an Irish farmer’s cottage. A young Irishman who went to Canada and set up as a farmer surprises his parents by coming home as soldier, after having been two years lighting in France. He finds on his arrival that his brother is prominent in the Sinn Fein movement. His narrative of his experiences in France and details of the campaign of the enemy against women and children deeply impress his brother, who forthwith decides to fight for the Empire and take his part in the struggle for liberty. The acting throughout last night was skilful and effective, and there was frequent applause at the more telling passages’. Aberdeen Evening Express, 24 September 1918.
30 Sep 1918	Hippodrome, Middlesbrough	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the North Star (Darlington), 30 September 1918, as ‘J. J. Mannix and E. Montefiore present “A German Shell.” An original sketch dealing with the most absorbing problem of the day’. Also noted in The Stage, 3 October 1918.
14 Oct 1918	Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow	Professional	Read Narrative Next week ‘Messrs. J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montifiore are presenting an original sketch dealing with the most absorbing problem of the day, entitled “A German Shell”’(Glasgow Observer and Catholic Herald, 12 October 1918). Also: ‘“A German Shell,” a problem sketch, is well received’ (Daily Record, 15 October 1918).
21 Oct 1918	?, Rotherhithe	Professional	Read Narrative ‘After a provincial tour A German Shell will commence a London season at Rotherhithe on Monday. Ernest Montefiore, who is exploiting the sketch in conjunction with the author, will play his original part’. The Stage, 17 October 1918.
28 Oct 1918	Hippodrome, Poplar	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 23 October 1918, for the following week, as ‘Ernest Montefiore & Co.’.
4 Nov 1918	Empire Theatre, Holborn	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 30 October 1918, for the following week, as ‘Ernest Montefiore & Co. in “A German Shell”’. Also: ‘After a lengthy round of the provinces and the outlying halls, the successful sketch A German Shell is being presented [at the Holborn Empire] by Ernest Montefiore and company, and audiences are following the action, which touches upon the Sinn Fein movement, with close attention. It is cleverly performed, and should serve its owners in good stead for some time to come’ (The Stage, 7 November 1918).
11 Nov 1918	Hippodrome, Balham	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 6 November 1918, for the following week, as ‘Ernest Montefiore & Co. in “A German Shell”’. Also, E. Montifiore and company, and other acts, are listed in The Era, 6 November 1918, in Next Week’s Calls at the Balham Hippodrome.
18 Nov 1918	Empire Theatre, Croydon	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 13 November 1918, for the following week, as ‘E. Montefiore & Co. in “A German Shell”’.
25 Nov 1918	Empire, Islington, London	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 20 November 1918, for the following week, as ‘E. Montefiore & Co.’.
23 Dec 1918	Grand Palace, Clapham Junction, London	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Era, 18 December 1918, for the following week as ‘Mannix & Montefiore present “A German Shell”’.
6 Jan 1919	Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Merthyr Express, 4 January 1919: ‘J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore present the Successful Sketch “A German Shell”’. Also: ‘A very clever sketch is entitled “A German Shell,” an episode of the war, in which one of the chief figures is a Sinn Fein officer, wearing the green uniform, whose brother comes home from the front in khaki. The Sinn Fein’s love is killed in France by a German shell, around which a good plot is laid, and at the finish the Sinn Feiner sees the error of his ways’ (Merthyr Express, 11 January 1919).
3 Feb 1919	Olympia, Bridgeton Cross	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Glasgow Observer and Catholic Herald, 1 February 1918: ‘J. J. Mannix & E. Montefiore Present [the] Sketch “AGS”’.
24 Feb 1919	Pavilion Theatre, Ayr	Professional	Read Narrative The Era, 19 February 1919, included ‘“German Shell” company’ in Calls for Next Week at the Ayr Pavilion. Also The Stage, 20 February 1919.

A German Shell

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