Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is of course, a War Play, and its whole attraction consists own the attempted reproduction of war scenes. There is a great deal of firing, taking cover, men brought in on stretchers and so on. There is always a risk, in my opinion that this sort of play may reproduce horrors too vividly, especially in the matter of wounded men, but it is difficult to draw a line or make a rule, and it is to be said that this play is sincere in its intention and is not disfigured by too vulgar comic relief. The chief scene is one in which the hero, being brought downing his aeroplane in the German lines, effects a wonderful escape on a German machine. Apart for all this there is only a perfunctory plot, of a misunderstanding between the hero and heroine due to his befriending somebody else, incurred by the contrivance of the villain and ultimately explained. Recommended for Licence. G. S. Street. Here again this firing is extremely unwise - as giving unnecessary alarm. Subject to change licence may something. Written undertaking given that there will be no firing throughout the play.

Researcher's Summary:

The licensed manuscript lists the script as the 'property of C. A. Cornwell'. Cornwell had his own amateur theatre company known as the Creeksmouth company and used to write and produce his own work. His name and that of Kemp were listed on the advert for the 1919 production. We have therefore assumed that Cornwell was the author of this work.

Licensed On: 26 Mar 1918

License Number: 1487

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British Library Reference: LCP1918/6

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66188 N

Performances

Date Theatre Type
1 Apr 1918 Queen's Hall, Poplar Unknown Licensed Performance
20 Mar 1919 Baths Hall, Barking Professional