Somewhere In Somerset
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
The more or less familiar plot of this revue concerns the son of an American millionaire who offers his husband to the winner of a lucky War Bond. To escape his fate he changes places with his valet. If course the heroine draws the bond and falls in love with the supposed valet, while a designing girl tries to catch the supposed millionaire. There is a ship scene with a pretended submarine attack, the bond is stolen and ultimately returned and everything is cleared up. There is nothing to object to in the script. Songs to be sent if unpublished. Recommended for Licence. G. S. Street. March 23 1918. The songs are stated to be published except two which are in the script.
Researcher's Summary:
The plot of the revue, which does not emerge clearly from the transcript of the Examiner’s Summary above, is briefly, if only partly, told in the Staffordshire Sentinel, 30 April 1918 (see under the Empire Theatre, Longton). It bears some resemblance to the plot of ‘Forbidden Fruit’, a comedy musical revue in which Bob Selvidge, Dorothy Vere, Nancy Lorrison, Leonard Palmer and the Somerset Maids were reported as appearing in The Stage, 20 June 1918. All except Selvidge had appeared in ‘Somewhere in Somerset’. The Scotsman, 26 June 1918, reported that ‘Forbidden Fruit’ ‘deals with the adventures of two girl friends. One falls in love with a millionaire’s valet; while the other, a young lady with high ambitions and few scruples, schemes to “capture” the millionaire himself. Success attends the love affairs of the first and also the intrigues of the second, but it is only to find in the end that the millionaire and his valet had changed places from the beginning’. Moreover, while in ‘Somewhere in Somerset’ Albert Bruno had played the waiter Biffins, in ‘Forbidden Fruit’ Bob Selvidge played Biffins, ‘sometime waiter, afterwards sailor’.
Licensed On: 22 Mar 1918
License Number: 1475
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1918/6
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66188 B
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1918 | Hippodrome, Cheltenham | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 25 Mar 1918 | Hippodrome, Cheltenham | Professional |
Read Narrative
Advertised in the Cheltenham Looker-On, 23 March 1918: ‘The Universal Productions Co. present the Musical Comedy Revue - Somewhere in Somerset. Powerful London Cast, including Albert Bruno as Biffins the Waiter. Miss Dorothy Barnes as Vera. Fred Ramsdale as Pontefex. Miss Dorothy Vere as Dolly Delemere. Fred Eugene as The Captain. Miss Lydia Lee as Some Flapper. Leonard Palmer as Walter Wallace. Miss Nora Stockell as Olive. Somerset Maids & Beauty Chorus’. Also: ‘“Somewhere in Somerset” is a picturesque title, and one is led to expect something of a rural atmosphere about the revue which is presented at the Hippodrome this week by the Universal Production Company. In substance, however, the revue bears comparatively little upon its title, and travels on lines quite conventional for this class of entertainment. The scenes are four, and are laid in a New York hotel, [the] deck of a steamer, a “National Service” office, and the exterior of a court “Somewhere in Somerset.” The company work with plenty of enthusiasm, and with Mr. Albert Bruno as the comedian the show possesses much life. As “Biffins,” the waiter, he serves up some excellent comedy, while in [the] role of a national service recruiting officer he keeps the business going very merrily. He is, in fact, the very “life” of the performance. There are some bright dances, and a number of tuneful songs, which are entrusted in the main to Miss Dorothy Vere, who displays a sweet soprano voice, and fills the role of leading lady very daintily. Her song “Somewhere in Somerset” is her best effort. Among the other members of the cast are Mr. Fred Eugene, Mr. Leonard Palmer, and Mr. Fred Ramsdale’ (Gloucestershire Echo, 26 March 1916).
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| 8 Apr 1918 | Empire Theatre, Preston | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘“Somewhere in Somerset” is an up-to-date musical comedy revue with both lyrical and scenic merits and an abundance of comedy. Four scenes contain its action, and the last set is a really artistic presentation. Laden with little complication to plot, it goes breezily alone with mirth, song, and movement. Miss Dorothy Vere’s musical numbers are a feature of the production, and she receives able support from a company which includes Mr. Albert Bruno, who as “Biffins” is a highly successful comedian, as usual; Misses Georgie Vokes, Nancy Lorrisen, Lydia Lee, Dorothy Barnes; and Messrs. Fred Ramsdale, Leonard Palmer, and Fred Eugene’. Lancashire Evening Post, 9 April 1918.
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| 15 Apr 1918 | Tivoli Theatre, Hull | Professional |
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‘Mr Albert Bruno, as Biggins [sic – Biffins] the Waiter, provided abundant laughter last night in the revue, “Somewhere in Somerset.” Miss Dorothy Vere, as Dolly Delemere, was an attractive maiden, and gave good songs. Misses Dorothy Barnes, Lydia Lee, Nancy Corrison [sic – Lorrison], Georgie Vokes, Mr. Fred Harris, and Mr Fred Eugene were the other artistes, and all played with credit. An especially clever item was the appearance of the chorus in Red Cross uniform. Alpho, who staged “The Officer’s Servant,” displayed remarkable ventriloquial ability. Tavalaw Doughton, a Welsh baritone, sang acceptably’. Hull Daily Mail, 16 April 1918. Also, the Hull Daily Mail, 19 April 1918, reported that Artistes from the company ‘gave excellent “turns”’ at the V.A.D. Hospital on 18 April.
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| 22 Apr 1918 | Palace Theatre, Grimsby | Professional |
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Advertised in the Grimsby Daily Telegraph, 20 April 1918: the cast included Albert Bruno, George Vokes, Dorothy Barnes, Fred Ramsdale, Brothers Harris, Fred Eugene, Lydia Lee and Dorothy Vere, supported by Those Somerset Maids and a Beauty Chorus.
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| 29 Apr 1918 | Empire Theatre, Longton | Unknown |
Read Narrative
‘The enterprising management of the Empire Theatre, Longton, have secured for this week another splendid attraction by the Universal Productions Company. It is a musical comedy revue, in four scenes, entitled “Somewhere in Somerset.” The piece is well conceived, admirably presented, and contains all the elements that go to make for success. The comedy and music are good, the artists are a talented combination, the soloists possess excellent voices, the chorus singing is very tuneful, and there is plenty of skilful dancing. Pretty dresses are worn, and the scenery is attractive. Unlike the majority of such productions, there is also a fascinating story. An American millionaire is to be the husband of the lady who wins a certain prize bond, the alternative being penury. In order to ascertain whether she has any real affection for him, he changes places with his valet. The couple are thrown much together in a voyage from America to this country, and the trip results in a declaration of love by both parties. The young lady, who, like the young man, was averse to being mated by lottery, is naturally charmed when she discovers that not only has she won her love prize but also her money prize … Several interesting patriotic touches are introduced’. The cast included Dorothy Vere, Leonard Palmer, Miss Georgie Vokes, Albert Bruno, and Fred Harris. Staffordshire Sentinel, 30 April 1918.
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| 6 May 1918 | Alexandra Theatre, Widnes | Professional |
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‘The Management have been fortunate in securing for next week an Entirely New Musical Comedy Revue, entitled “Somewhere in Somerset,” which is in four scenes. This production is noted for its rollicking comedy, superb singing and staging. Widnes will have the opportunity of seeing one of London’s famous Comedians, Albert Bruno, who is known throughout the Kingdom as a £40 a week star. He is supported by that sweet versatile artiste Miss Dorothy Vere; also by Leonard Palmer, Fred Eugene, Dorothy Barnes, Georgie Vokes, H. Moss, Those Somerset Maids and the Beauty Chorus’ (Runcorn Weekly News, 3 May 1918). Also: ‘A very commendable production is staged here for the week. It is a revue entitled “Somewhere in Somerset.” Mr. Albert Bruno and Miss Dorothy Vine lead a capable company, who render many of the latest song successes very effectively’. Runcorn Weekly News, 10 May 1918.
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| 13 May 1918 | Empire Theatre, Wakefield | Professional |
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Advertised in the Wakefield Express, 11 May 1918.
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| 20 May 1918 | Public Hall, Clitheroe | Professional |
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Advertised in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 17 May 1918, as an ‘Enormous Attraction for Whit-week’. Also: ‘Next week, by arrangement with the Universal Production Company, of London, Mrs. Williams will present a new and novel revue, under the direction of Mr. Russel Vaughan, entitled “Somewhere in Somerset,” a powerful London company of forty artistes being headed by the London comedian, Mr. Albert Bruno, and Miss Dorothy Vere. The scenery and dresses are on an elaborate scale. A full matinee performance will be given on Monday at 2-30, and two performances Monday and Saturday evenings at 6-30 and 8-30’ (Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 17 May 1918).
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| 27 May 1918 | Hippodrome, Lancaster | Professional |
Read Narrative
Noted in The Stage, 30 May 1918: the company included Albert Bruno and Dorothy Vere.
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