Home Defence
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
In the first scene of this sketch a husband comes home late, quarrels with his wife, says he is going to join the army, though over fifty, and boast that he will be made a colonel and defend Piccadilly Circus against a German invasion. In the second scene we have Piccadilly Circus; the husband has become a ridiculous colonel and commands a regiment of six absurd men. The invasion is announced by a boy scout and the husband gives absurd directions and so on. Then there is a 'black out' and he is found as in the first scene, brandishing a poker, I do not think any question can arise of burlesquing military matters as of course the audience will know that scene II is only a preposterous dream. Recommended for licence. G. S. Street
Researcher's Summary:
It is interesting that a sketch burlesquing reactions to the threat of a German invasion was produced as late as July 1918. Only a handful of performance weeks has been identified in which ‘Home Defence’ (sometimes ‘A Dream of Home Defence’) was given and they are listed below. Evans was also touring with other sketches, ‘Queues’ and ‘Laying A Carpet’ (e.g. at the Hippodrome, Nottingham, 14-19 October 1918, the Hippodrome, Birmingham, 21-26 October 1918, and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 18-23 November 1918). It has not been possible to identify what Evans performed at the Victoria Palace, 12-17 August 1918, the Alhambra, Glasgow, 7-12 October 1918, or the Coliseum, London, 25-30 November 1918. A sense that the end of the war was approaching probably diminished the sketch’s relevance and appeal.
Licensed On: 16 Jul 1918
License Number: 1672
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1918/12
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66194 AA
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 1918 | Coliseum, London | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 22 Jul 1918 | Coliseum, London | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Miss Ethel Levey returns to the Coliseum on Monday, the company otherwise including Mr. Will Evans, in a new sketch, entitled “Home Defence" (Globe, 20 July 1918). ‘Miss Ethel Levey, Mr. Will Evans in a new sketch entitled “Home Defence,” and George Carvey, the French baritone in “Music at Home,” are the principal newcomers to the Coliseum to-morrow' (The People, 21 July 1918). Will Evans is advertised as performing at the Coliseum in the week beginning 29 July, e.g. the Westminster Gazette of that date, and the week beginning 5 August, e.g. the Daily News (London) of that date.
|
| 9 Sep 1918 | Hippodrome, Liverpool | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘“A Dream of Home Defence,” which Will Evans gives at the Hippodrome, has a lot of good points, but it is rather drawn out'. Liverpool Echo, 10 September 1918.
|
| 23 Sep 1918 | Hippodrome, Leeds | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘The week’s programme at the Hippodrome is full of merit ... Will Evans extracts great fun out of “Queues,” whilst his “Dream of Home Defence” is particularly appealing to the khaki element' (Leeds Mercury, 24 September 1918). ‘No one will regret a visit to the Hippodrome this week. Will Evans will find the provincial reception of his sketches, “Queues” and “Dream of Home Defence,” quite as flattering as that which they enjoyed in London. The Hippodrome audience fairly revelled in them last night’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 September 1918). ‘The best variety programme put on at Hippodrome for some time is provided this week. Will Evans, the old favourite, is here with something new. “Queues” is now, happily, a little out of date, but his “Dream of Horne Defence” is not merely topical, but amusing’ (Skyrack Courier, 27 September 1918).
|
| 30 Sep 1918 | Hippodrome, Sheffield | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Will Evans creates roars of laughter in his latest “Queues” and “A Dream of Home Defence”’ (Sheffield Independent, 1 October 1918). ‘An unusual profusion of “star” turns ensures a highly successful performance at the Hippodrome this week ... Bert Weston and Will Evans are two very entertaining comedians’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 1 October 1918). ‘This week’s programme at the Sheffield Hippodrome constitutes a happy combination of mirth, music, and novelty. Will Evans creates roars of laughter in his latest “Queues” and “A Dream of Home Defence”’ (Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, 5 October 1918).
|
| 30 Sep 1918 | Hippodrome, Sheffield | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Will Evans creates roars of laughter in his latest “Queues” and “A Dream of Home Defence”’ (Sheffield Independent, 1 October 1918). ‘An unusual profusion of “star” turns ensures a highly successful performance at the Hippodrome this week ... Bert Weston and Will Evans are two very entertaining comedians’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 1 October 1918). ‘This week’s programme at the Sheffield Hippodrome constitutes a happy combination of mirth, music, and novelty. Will Evans creates roars of laughter in his latest “Queues” and “A Dream of Home Defence”’ (Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, 5 October 1918).
|