The Man Who Wouldn't
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
The man who wouldn't is a selfish middle-aged solicitor, who not only jeers at his friend for joining the National Volunteer Force but refuse to do so himself and forbid his daughter's lover to enlist, till a nightmare dream of the 'Englishman's Home' order rouses him to a sense of his duty to his King and Country. Brief, genial, and to the point.
Researcher's Summary:
The sketch 'The Man Who Wouldn't, by Joseph Edward Macmanus, was licensed for performance at the Empire Theatre, Kilburn, London on 19 April 1915 but no evidence of this has been found. It seems to have been first performed at the Holborn Empire, London, on 3 May 1915. The leading role was played by Leo Stormont who performed in other works by Macmanus. A relative handful of performances has been identified, the last being at the Chelsea Palace, London, in the week beginning 27 September 1915. The sketch may have been dropped when Stormont appeared in Macmanus' 'In Her White Innocence' (also in the Great War Theatre database) which was advertised in the Surrey Mirror, 8 October 1915, at the Croydon Hippodrome from Monday 11 October.
Licensed On: 17 Apr 1915
License Number: 3317
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1915/9
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66095 B
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Apr 1915 | Empire Theatre, Kilburn, London | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 3 May 1915 | Empire Theatre, Holborn | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Leo Stormont has taken advantage of the present situation for presenting a stirring patriotic sketch entitled “The Man Who Wouldn’t.” His power as an actor made a great impression on a crowded house’ (Daily Herald, 8 May 1915).
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| 10 May 1915 | Empire Theatre, Islington | Professional |
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‘The principal item in the bill at this popular hall is Mr. Frank Rubens revue, “Mind the Step” … Amongst other items in the bill is Mr. Leo Stormont’s production, “The Man Who Wouldn’t”. This is a topical playlet, from the experienced pen of Mr. J. E. MacManus, and deals vigorously with those who leave to other people the task of fighting for their country. Mr. Stormont himself is as usual most effective, Messrs. F. James and G. Goodwin being adequate in supporting parts. A special word is due to Miss P. Tandy, who gave a pointed and most admirable performance as the daughter. A contretemps with the bioscope unfortunately marred the performance, but there is no doubt but that it will be another success for this well known artiste’ (The Era, Wednesday 12 May 1915). ‘Frank Rubens’s new revue, Mind The Step! … is being played for the first time at the Islington Empire this week … Leo Stormont and Company have an important place in the rest of the bill with J . E . McManus’s sensational comedy, called The Man Who Wouldn’t which has little beyond its patriotic sentiments to recommend it as a work of art’ (The Stage, 13 May 1915).
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| 31 May 1915 | Grand Palace, Clapham | Professional |
Read Narrative
The piece was performed here at some point this week but also at the Croydon Empire.
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| 31 May 1915 | Empire Theatre, Croydon | Professional |
Read Narrative
The piece was performed here at some point this week but also at the Holborn Empire.
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| 7 Jun 1915 | Palladium, London | Professional |
Read Narrative
Performed twice nightly as part of a variety act. Two interesting reviews comment on the performances here: ‘Recruiting ought to be helped considerably by the little sketch “The Man Who Wouldn’t,” by J. E. MacManus, which is being played with much power by Mr. Leo Stormont and his company at the Palladium this week. The dialogue revolves round a selfish solicitor, who thinks everybody should enlist but those who have something to lose. But, falling asleep by the fire, he dreams of the coming of the Huns, and of their terrible doings in his own house. Here the film comes in to assist. He is a different man on awaking, helps his prospective son-in-law to enlist - he had earlier put every obstacle in the way - and, despite his age, himself joins the Volunteer Reserve. The dramatic force of the transformation is very great. Marjory Blunt, the daughter, is particularly good. In this character Miss Tandy spoke her telling lines with strong effect’ (Westminster Gazette, Tuesday 8 June 1915). ‘The Palladium is well worth a visit this week … Leo Stormont and Company present “The Man Who Wouldn’t,” a good little thing in its way, showing a tyrannous and bullying lawyer who stood in the way of one of his staff enlisting, and who was told some capital Socialistic truths by a brick of a daughter, and who was ultimately brought to his senses by a very realistic dream (done on the biograph)’ (Daily Herald, Saturday 12 June 1915).
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| 14 Jun 1915 | Hippodrome, Ilford | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Harry Day’s revue, Passing Events, is the principal feature in Mr. George E. Well’s bill at the Ilford Hippodrome …Mention should also be made of Leo Stormont’s patriotic playlet, The Man Who Wouldn’t’. The Stage, 17 June 1915.
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| 13 Sep 1915 | Palace, East Ham | Professional |
Read Narrative
The Stage, 9 September 1915, listed ‘Leo Stormont’s The Man Who Wouldn’t’ in Calls for Monday 13 September at the East Ham Palace. Similarly The Era, 8 September 1915.
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| 27 Sep 1915 | Palace Theatre, Chelsea, London | Professional |
Read Narrative
The Chelsea News and General Advertiser, Friday 24 September 1915, advertised at the Chelsea Palace for Monday 27 September and during the week a bill that included ‘Leo Stormont and Co. present [a] new playlet, “The Man Who Wouldn’t”’.
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