Nosey Knows

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is a sort of ‘revue’, but with only one or two songs, apparently. The first scene is in a ‘stores’, and there is much business of the comedian, Nosey, meddling in everybody’s business, and being eventually discomfited by being told he has eaten poisoned chocolates. The second scene is a ‘Government Employment Office’ and Nosey, installed as manager, questions people and so on. The third is a suburban street. Nosey is married and there is business of his being henpecked and ‘carrying on’. There are also scenes of young women and their young men. A character called Bolo appears in all the scenes and of course turns out to be a comic spy. The dialogue is vulgar but not suggestive. I note a passage on p.24 with business of sham nursing, as to which a caution that nothing suggestive must happen seems to be necessary. Recommended for License. G .S Street

Researcher's Summary:

Although no author was given on the licensed script, newspaper reviews identify the authors as Fred Karno, John Gerant, Karno's manager; and George Hughes (see Stage, 11 October 1917), although Hughes is not mentioned as an author in many reviews and adverts. This was the second of three versions of the script, each licensed separately: in October 1917 (LCP1917/20) and February (LCP1918/3) and July 1918 (LCP1918/12). Performances for each version can be found on their relevant page. The original title for the sketch was 'Nosey Parker' but Karno changed it to 'Nosey Knows' following an objection by the music hall performer Charlie Austin who performed as P.C. Parker. The name of the spy changed through the run, beginning as Smart (see Stage 11 October 1917) and then becoming Bolo (see licensing report of February 1918), Rolo Bolo around February 1918 and finally Rolo Offenthompson (Aberdeen Press and Journal, 9 April 1918).