Real Sports
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
A musical play of the happy-go-lucky order, with its chief scenes laid at a Gaff on Epsom Downs, at a Covent Garden Ball and on the downs on Derby Day. The gaff proprietor has just returned from doing his bit at the front: and other war-workers are his daughter Kitty and various Waacs and Wrens with their soldier admirers. The chaff and flirtations of all these afford much of the dialogue, while scrappy hints of plot supply motives of incoherent action. Then there is trouble about a sweepstake ticket for the first favourite, which has been given by the hero's wife to the violin playing lover of her daughter Kitty in lieu of salary, has been lost by him and is searched for in the costumes supplied by Willie Clerkson for the ball. There is other work for Clarkson [sic] - whose personal introduction will probably not offend him - in disguising an English colonel and a Russian count for their respective pursuits of some inamorata. There is the dressing up of the gaff-proprietor and his wife for their impersonations at the ball; there are patriotic sentiments for [sic] Sir Douglas Haig and Beattie, there is crude political chaff, and there is love-making for Kitty and her violinists - all leading up to the pantomimic suggestion of the race for the Derby. The rough nonsense is most of it incoherent and all of it harmless in its boisterous spirit. So also are such of the ditties as are given in the script. Those omitted must be forwarded for consideration. Recommended for Licence. Ernest A. Bendall.
Researcher's Summary:
Real Sports was routinely advertised as a sporting, naval and military musical play or revue. Like Rosebery’s earlier play Three Little Britons it had scenes set on Epsom Downs on Derby Day and on the deck of a battleship. It had music composed by Ernest Vousden. The characters included the real-life theatrical costumier and wigmaker, Willie Clarkson. The play toured from August to mid-December 1918. Several of the cast then appeared in pantomime: Dave O’Toole as one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella at the Lyceum Theatre, London; and Hettie Gale, Princess Delhi, Fred Richards, Will Priestley, Tony Snape and Fred A. Ellis in Arthur Rosebery’s Aladdin at the New Theatre Royal, Birkenhead. Thereafter only a couple of performance weeks have been found for Real Sports, in February 1919. Clifton Dane advertised in The Stage, 20 February 1919, that he was ‘at liberty’ having concluded a 8½ month tour with the play; similarly Will Priestley in The Stage, 6 March 1919.
Licensed On: 31 Jul 1918
License Number: 1706
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1918/14
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66196 J
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 1918 | Borough Theatre, Stratford | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 5 Aug 1918 | Borough Theatre, Stratford | Professional |
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‘The Borough Theatre, Stratford, will re-open on August Bank Holiday, when Mr. Arthur Rosebery will present Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, Fred Ellis, and a full London company of artistes in the musical, sporting, naval and military play, “Real Sports.” The play is in two acts and seven scenes, including the quarterdeck of a battleship and Epsom Downs on Derby Day' (East London Observer, 3 August 1918). The Era, 7 August 1918, reviewed ‘ “Real Sports.” Musical Play, in Two Acts and Seven Scenes, by Arthur Rosebery. Music by Ernest Vousden. Produced at the Borough Theatre, Stratford, on Monday, August 5’. The cast was: Ria Breeze, Dave O’Toole; Sergt. Major Bob Breeze, Will Priestley; Podgy, Clifton Dane; Col. Sterling, Fred A. Ellis; Count Romanoff, Edgar C. Milton; Willie Clarkson, Tony Snape; Bob Cash, Fred Richards; Flora, Princess Delhi; Jack, Beattie Browning; Tom, May Grayce; Cora, Grace Vasey; Kitty, Hetty Gale. The review continued: ‘There is some good comedy in Mr. Rosebery’s latest production, seen at the Borough Theatre, Stratford, on Monday afternoon, and also a strong dramatic note. The first scene is laid outside Bob Breeze’s Palace of Harmony, where Ria, his wife, is in charge whilst Bob is in France. On his return home he seeks a lottery ticket sent to his wife, and which she has parted with to Kitty, who says she put it in her Cinderella panto dress, which has gone back to Willie Clarkson’s, a fine opening for a scene at the popular costumier’s emporium. Here the ticket cannot be found. Cora, the wife of Count Romanoff, whose first husband, Col. Sterling, V.C., after being thought dead, turns up again, comes to see Mr. Clarkson to be made look young and beautiful, so that she may again charm the Colonel. In the succeeding scene, the Covent Garden Ballroom, the Count and the Colonel meet, and a stormy encounter is the result. Both these gentlemen are running horse in the Derby, and the three scenes forming the second act are laid on Epsom Downs, the Colonel’s horse, “Jolly Jack,” beating the Count’s horse, “Revenge,” in a canter; the Count is arrested as a spy, leaving Cora and the Colonel free, and Kitty, who has the lottery ticket all the time, wins the prize, and marries Podgy, who makes a substantial present to Bob Breeze and Ria, and thus all ends merrily. The book is quite well written, and very topical, and the music as tuneful as could be desired, whilst the show is well produced' (The Era, 7 August 1918).
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| 12 Aug 1918 | Theatre Royal, Chatham | Professional |
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Advertised in the East Kent Gazette, 10 August 1918 as ‘the Musical Sporting Naval and Military Play … The Full London Company of Artistes includes Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestly [sic], and Fred Ellis’.
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| 19 Aug 1918 | Dalston Theatre, London | Professional |
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‘A fine musical and dramatic attraction, “Real Sports,” visits the Dalston Theatre next week. The company, nearly fifty strong, will be presented by Mr. Arthur Rosebery, who produced the play at the Borough Theatre, Stratford, last week [sic], to crowded audiences. The play is full of excitement and incidents from start to finish. The final, with three fine racers in it, brings the “house down.” There will be the usual matinee on Thursday at 2.30’ (East London Observer, 17 August 1918).
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| 26 Aug 1918 | Kennington Theatre, London | Professional |
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‘Arthur Rosbery’s [sic] production of “Real Sports” has occupied the boards of Kennington Theatre during the past week. It is a happy conglomeration of drama, and musical comedy of a decidedly revusical nature, which has been acclaimed by the audience with great enthusiasm. The numbers, if taken just a little slow and perhaps just a trifle lengthy, are pleasing, and Ernest Vousden is to be complimented upon his melodious music. Hetty Gale makes a spirited Kitty, and Dave O’Toole and Will Priestley supply some excellent comedy. The racing scenes are full of animation, the dialogue abounds in patriotism, and "Real Sports,” which is well produced, is bound to enjoy a “long run”‘. The People, 1 September 1918.
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| 16 Sep 1918 | New Theatre, Cambridge | Professional |
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‘The attraction for next week is the sporting patriotic revue “Real Sports.” The “Real Sports” are the boys who joined up for the big game in France on the outbreak of war and the girls who took up their work in their absence. The revue is arranged in two acts and six scenes, introducing the quarterdeck of a battleship and Epsom Downs on Derby Day' (Cambridge Daily News, 13 September 1918). ‘A Sporting and Patriotic Revue. “Real Sports is evidently meant to carry us forward to the happy days after war, for the characters include Col. Sterling, V.C., and Sergt. Bob Breeze, who come back to civil life, and two of the scenes represent the Victory Ball and the Victory Derby. “A cheery and cheerful sporting patriotic revue,” is the way in which the production was described by a London paper, and the large audience at the New Theatre last night had no fault to find with this description, judging from their hearty laughter throughout the evening. The pit and gallery, in particular, found the piece much to their liking, and vociferously expressed their approval of many of the numbers. The revue is not troubled with much in the way of a plot. A touch of drama is afforded by the machinations of a foreign count against a British V.C., but this is not enough seriously to interfere with the feast of fun and frolic ... There is also a chorus of Waacs, Wrens, nurses, soldiers, sailors and “sports” of all classes' (Cambridge Daily News, 17 September 1918).
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| 23 Sep 1918 | Palace Theatre, Maidstone | Professional |
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‘At the Palace Theatre last week, Arthur Rosebery presented this cheery and cheerful sporting and patriotic revue, “Real Sports,” with full operatic chorus of Waacs, Wrens, flower girls, nurses, munitioners, Penguins, soldiers,. sailors, and every other sort of sports. Sergt.-Major Bob Breeze, of the Palace of Harmony, home from the Front, starts a search for the lottery ticket he has sent to his wife, who has loaned it to someone else, who sewed it up in a fancy dress, returned to costumiers. At Willie Clarkson’s Emporium, Bob Breeze becomes Cupid and practises the art of love-making. On gala night, outside Covent Carden Opera House, a striking patriotic scene is presented by some of the Boys of the Old Brigade. At and frame up for a duel which never comes off [sic]. Realistic scenes are next presented of the Victory Ball, a Russian count and a British officer quarrel over a French girl spy, the paddock at Epsom and the famous Downs on the day of the race for the Victory Derby. The big race gives riches and matrimonial happiness to a sprightly young couple and frustrates the schemes of the wicked count. The music by Ernest Vousden and lyrics by Leslie Hawkins and Ernest Vousden are a very pleasing feature of this novel revue’ (South Eastern Gazette, 1 October 1918).
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| 30 Sep 1918 | Empire, Rotherham | Professional |
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‘Revue in the form of Arthur Rosebery’s “Real Sports” drew good houses at the Rotherham Empire Theatre. There is a superabundance of comedy, and some alluring music’. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 1 October 1918.
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| 14 Oct 1918 | Empire, Swindon | Professional |
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The Stage, 10 and 17 October 1918, listed Real Sports as On Tour from 14 October at the E., Swindon.
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| 21 Oct 1918 | Theatre, Worthing | Professional |
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‘During the present week there is a temporary return to that irresponsible form of theatrical attraction known as the revue. Its title is Real Sports, and it is presented by Mr. Arthur Rosebery, its author. To pit and gallery in particular it proved a veritable feast of fun at the introductory performance on Monday evening, for its humour is distinguished by breadth rather than subtlety, and the piece fulfils the Managerial promise of cheerfulness. Divided into two parts, with seven scenes in all, it deals first of all with An Assembly of Show People, and then the sporting element is introduced through the medium of a scene on the Downs at Epsom on Derby Day. In the later stage of the spectacle the Lady Chauffeur’s racehorse, Jingle, appeared upon the stage, mounted by Miss Neville herself, in correct jockey’s attire. The dressing and mounting are bright and attractive, and the principal parts in the cast are assigned to Mr. Dave O’Toole (who plays the part of the masterful wife of the proprietor of the Palace of Harmony), Mr. Will Priestly (as the khaki-clad owner of the establishment, Sergeant-Major Bob Breeze), Miss Hetty Gale, Mr. Clifton Dane (a pleasing tenor singer), and Mr. Fred Ellis. There is a very good Chorus, and Mr. Leslie E. Scott occupies the position of Musical Director. Unlimited laughter was extorted by Monday’s performance, and the several items that were more particularly applauded were the patriotic quartet by “the Boys of the Old Brigade,” the burlesque by Miss Gale and Mr. Priestly, and the song about the wind by Mr. O’Toole’. Worthing Gazette, 23 October 1918.
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| 28 Oct 1918 | Grand, Brighton | Professional |
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The Stage, 31 October 1918, listed Real Sports as On Tour from 28 October at the G., Brighton.
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| 18 Nov 1918 | Theatre Royal, Aston | Professional |
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‘Aston Theatre Royal.- “Real Sports” is the title of a very smart revue presented by Arthur Rosebery, and last night proved highly popular to the large audiences. The principals, together with a full London company, do excellent in providing fun, good music, and dancing and an abundance of light comedy’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 19 November 1918). ‘Revue is again seen at the Aston Theatre Royal, and “Real Sports,” by Arthur Rosebery, is a bright and well-presented production, with good comedy work and excellent music and dancing. It was heartily received by yesterday’s large audiences, and Miss Hettie Gale, Messrs. Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, and Fred Ellis in particular were warmly applauded’ (Birmingham Mail, 19 November 1918).
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| 25 Nov 1918 | Theatre Royal, Smethwick | Professional |
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Advertised in the Smethwick Telephone, 23 November 1918, as ‘the cheery and cheerful patriotic revue’; the cast would include Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, Fred Ellis and a full London company of artistes. Also: ‘Theatre-goers were evidently in the mood for revue, and Mr. Arthur Rosebery’s company played to a crowded house [at the Smethwick Royal] last night. Miss Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, and Fred Ellis were successful in their efforts. “Real Sports” is the title of the revue’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 26 November 1918).
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| 2 Dec 1918 | Empire Theatre, Longton | Professional |
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Advertised in the Staffordshire Sentinel, 30 November 1918, as ‘the cheery and cheerful patriotic revue’; the cast would comprise a full London company of artists, including Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, and Fred Ellis.
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| 9 Dec 1918 | His Majesty's Theatre, Walsall | Professional |
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Advertised in the Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle, 23 November 1918.
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| 3 Feb 1919 | Vint's Palace, Llanelli | Professional |
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When Clifton Dane advertised in The Stage, 6 February 1919, that he was ‘at liberty’ from 17 February his address was the Pal., Llanelly.
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| 10 Feb 1919 | Palace, Watford | Professional |
Read Narrative
The Stage, 6 and 13 February 1919, listed Real Sports as On Tour from 10 February at the Pal., Watford. Also noted in The Era, 12 February 1919; Hettie Gale was playing Kitty.
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