Coward

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

The story of this extremely crude melodrama is that of a worthy well-to-do elder brother, enlisted as a private, who nearly becomes victim to the treachery of the haughty lady to whom he is engaged. But who loves his rascally younger brother, an officer in the regiment which he joins. The notion of these villains is to get him sent on some mission in the trenches likely to lead to his certain death, in order that they may marry and enjoy his fortune. This plot is discovered by a humble outspoken girl whom he has befriended and adopted, and of whom the villainess is extremely jealous. For a time the wicked pair prosper, and in the belief that the hero has been branded as 'coward' and got rid of, they marry. To their dismay however, he is brought home by his faithful protégée, suffering from shell-shock, but cured in time to denounce his family enemies and to marry his devoted protégée. A raw well-meaning little piece wholly devoid of offence. Recommended for Licence. Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

‘Coward’ by Vincent W. Carlyle was very quickly retitled ‘Love, Honour and the Woman’ (The Stage, 26 September 1918). Allardyce Nicoll, in English Drama 1900-1930, mentions a third title, ‘The Betrayal’. However, a play with this title is advertised in The Stage, 15 May 1919, as a Vincent W. Carlyle play separate from ‘Love, Honour and the Woman’. A review of ‘Betrayal’ in The Stage, 18 November 1920, shows it to have some similarities with ‘Love, Honour and the Woman’ (including the heroine’s name, Bess), albeit it endeavours ‘to attain the atmosphere of Ruritania, though the country is styled Corinthia’ (perhaps to retain the melodramatic plot while distancing the setting of the play from the Great War). Both plays were staged in the same week at Newcastle and South Shields in May 1920. ‘Love, Honour and the Woman’ was toured by Joseph Millane’s company from September 1918 to April 1919 (apparently replacing Clifford Rean’s ‘Duty and the Girl’, which is also in this database, in the company’s repertoire), by Evelyn A’Dell’s company in November 1919, and by Joseph Millane’s company again in 1920. In 1919/1920 other plays also featured in Millane’s repertoire: ‘The Man, The Woman and The -?’ (by Carlyle, apparently retitled ‘Atonement’), ‘Hushed Up’, ‘Confessions of a Wife’, ‘Somewhere A Voice is Calling’ and ‘A Woman’s Soul’, as well as ‘Betrayal’. That accounts for gaps in the list of performances of ‘Love, Honour and the Woman’ recorded here.

Licensed On: 12 Sep 1918

License Number: 1769

British Library Reference: LCP1918/16

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66198 N

Performances

Date	Theatre	Type
13 Sep 1918	Grand, Halifax	Unknown	Licensed Performance
13 Sep 1918	Grand, Halifax	Professional	Read Narrative The Halifax Evening Courier, Saturday 7 September 1918, previewed ‘Duty and The Girl’ which Joseph Millaine’s [sic – Millane’s] company was to stage at the Grand Theatre: ‘On Friday, “Coward?” will be the special attraction, both plays being on the twice nightly system’. Joseph Millane’s companies advertised in The Stage, 26 September 1918, ‘Love! Honour! And The Woman! (formerly entitled Coward?)’: ‘Enormous Success of this production. Halifax verdict emphasised at Huddersfield. A strong play, entirely original, with not a dull moment. The Comedy keeps the whole house rocking with laughter. More applause and laughter in one night in most productions in a month'.
20 Sep 1918	Hippodrome, Huddersfield	Professional	Read Narrative The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Tuesday 17 September 1918, reviewed Clifford Rean’s ‘Duty and The Girl’ at the Hippodrome: ‘The two principal characters are admirably presented by Miss Florence Churchill and Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, the latter of whom, the programme states, served at the front with the K.R.R.’s … On Friday night “The Coward?” is to be substituted’. Joseph Millane’s companies advertised in The Stage, 26 September 1918, ‘Love! Honour! And The Woman! (formerly entitled Coward?)’: ‘Enormous Success of this production. Halifax verdict emphasised at Huddersfield. A strong play, entirely original, with not a dull moment. The Comedy keeps the whole house rocking with laughter. More applause and laughter in one night in most productions in a month'.
23 Sep 1918	Theatre Royal, Dewsbury	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 3 October 1918, for theatres for 'Love, Honour and The Woman', the advertisement mentioned the play’s success at Dewsbury.
30 Sep 1918	Prince's Theatre, Bradford	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 3 October 1918, for theatres for 'Love, Honour and The Woman', the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Prince’s, Bradford. But performing what? The following week the company performed Clifford Rean's 'Duty and the Girl' at the Theatre Royal, Leeds (Yorkshire Evening Post, 8 October 1918).
14 Oct 1918	Queen's Theatre, Farnworth	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 10 October 1918, for theatres for Love, Honour and The Woman, the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, next week at the Queen’s, Farnworth. But performing what? The previous week the company performed Clifford Rean's 'Duty and the Girl' at the Theatre Royal, Leeds (Yorkshire Evening Post, 8 October 1918).
21 Oct 1918	Theatre Royal, Darlington	Professional	Read Narrative The North Star (Darlington), 19 October 1918, reported that Joseph Millane’s company would present Love, Honour and the Woman at the Royal Theatre, Darlington; the cast would include Vincent W. Carlyle and Florence Churchill. Noted in The Stage, 24 October 1918: the cast included Vincent W. Carlyle as Richard Thornton and ‘Miss Florence’ [no surname!] as Bess, a gypsy girl.
28 Oct 1918	Theatre Royal, South Shields	Professional	Read Narrative The Shields Daily News, 28 October 1918, advertised twice nightly at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, Joseph Millane’s company in Love, Honour and the Woman.
4 Nov 1918	Theatre Royal, West Stanley	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 7 November 1918, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman, the contact address was the T.R., West Stanley. But performing what?
11 Nov 1918	Royal Princess's Theatre, Glasgow	Professional	Read Narrative The Daily Record, 9 November 1918, advertised Love, Honour and The Woman at the Princess’s Theatre the following week. Advertisements in the newspaper during the week confirm it was performed by Joseph Millane’s company with Florence Churchill. Also: ‘“Love, Honour, and the Woman” delighted a bumper house at the Princess’s’. Daily Record, 12 November 1918. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 21 November 1918, for theatres for Love, Honour and The Woman, the advertisement mentioned the play’s success at the Princess’s, Glasgow the previous week.
25 Nov 1918	Palace Theatre, Bordesley	Professional	Read Narrative ‘“Love, Honour and the Woman,” a stirring drama dealing with love and war, gained the hearty appreciation of last night’s audiences at the Bordesley Palace Theatre. Miss Florence Churchill was responsible for powerful acting as Bess, and Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle was popular in the part of the hero, Richard Thornton, an afflicted soldier, who, by the recovery of his memory, throws much light on dark passages in the drama’. Birmingham Mail, 26 November 1918.
2 Dec 1918	Junction, Manchester	Professional	Read Narrative Advertised in the Manchester Evening News, 2 December 1918. An advertisement for Love, Honour and The Woman in The Stage, 12 December 1918, mentioned ‘enormous success last week' at the Junction Theatre, Manchester.
16 Dec 1918	Royal Court Theatre, Warrington	Professional	Read Narrative ‘“Love, Honour, and the Woman,” which has been staged by Mr. Joseph Millane’s company at the Royal Court Theatre during the week, is a melodrama of the good old style, with a very villainous villain and villainess, who plot the death of a .universally beloved, good and kind hero. Their machinations are frustrated at length by the exploits of the gipsy girl heroine Bess. Miss Florence Churchill appears in the latter role with success, and puts plenty of energy into her acting. The hero’s part is taken by the author, Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, who formerly served in France with the King’s Royal Rifles. A number of laughable interludes by the dude officer, the humble private, and their respective wives - the young mistress of the house and her maid - are very refreshing’. St Helens Examiner, 21 December 1918.
30 Dec 1918	Empire, Aberdare	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 2 January 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Empire Theatre, Aberdare. But performing what?
6 Jan 1919	Palace Theatre, Redditch	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 9 January 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Palace, Redditch. But performing what?
13 Jan 1919	Coliseum, Shoreham	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 16 January 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Coliseum, Shoreham-by-Sea. But performing what?
20 Jan 1919	Hippodrome, Salford	Professional	Read Narrative ‘“Love, Honour, and the Woman” is an interesting story of the war. Miss Florence Churchill makes an excellent Bess, and V. W. Carlyle as an officer, and G. Gaisford as a Tommy, are well suited’. Manchester Evening News, 21 January 1919. Also: when Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 30 January 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Hippodrome, Salford.
3 Feb 1919	Empire, Mountain Ash	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 6 February 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, that week and the next at the Empire Theatre, Mountain Ash. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 13 February 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Empire Theatre, Mountain Ash. The Stage, 20 February 1919, advertised The Man, The Woman And -? as having been ‘produced last week at Mountain Ash. After the first night not a seat to be had, and hundreds turned away. More than a success – a triumph’. Otherwise, performing what?
17 Feb 1919	Pavilion, Pontnewynydd	Professional	Read Narrative The Stage, 13 and 20 February 1919, listed Love, Honour and The Woman as On Tour from 17 February at the Pav., Pontnewynydd.
24 Feb 1919	Palace Theatre, Radcliffe	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 20 February 1919, for theatres for The Man, the Woman, and -?, and for Love, Honour and the Woman (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, nest week at the Palace Theatre, Radcliffe. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 27 February 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Palace Theatre, Radcliffe. But performing what?
3 Mar 1919	Palace Theatre, Rawtenstall	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 27 February 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and for the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, next week at the Palace T., Rawtenstall. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 6 March 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Palace Theatre, Rawtenstall. But performing what?
10 Mar 1919	Grand Theatre, Nelson	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 6 March 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, next week at the Grand Theatre, Nelson. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 13 March 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and for the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Grand Theatre, Nelson. But performing what?
17 Mar 1919	Palace Theatre, Durham	Professional	Read Narrative When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 13 March 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle, next week at the Palace Theatre, Durham. When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 20 March 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Palace Theatre, Durham. But performing what?
24 Mar 1919	Palace, Newcastle	Professional	Read Narrative ‘A capital audience gave a flattering reception to Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle’s new play, “Love Honour and the Woman,” at. the Palace Theatre, Newcastle, last night. The company which Mr. Joseph Millane has gathered together for this production is one of general excellence, and Miss Florence Churchill in the role of Bess round whom the plot centres makes the immediate success certain. The story is one of peace and war, and had all the factors which go towards maintaining the interest until the final fall of the curtain. Supporting Miss Churchill is Mr. Carlyle (author), Mr. George Gaisford, Mr. Fergus Leslie, and Miss Violet St. John’. Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 25 March 1919.
31 Mar 1919	Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton	Professional	Read Narrative The Stage, 3 April 1919, noted Joseph Millany’s [sic – Millane’s] company at the Royal, Wolverhampton, in Love, Honour and the Woman. ‘A strong company include Vincent W. Carlyle, George Gaisford, Fergus Leslie, Leonard C. Way, Florence Churchill, Violet St. John, Winnie Crichton, and Evie Conway. The piece is drawing good houses’. Also: when Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 10 April 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, and for The Man, The Woman and The - ?, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the advertisement referred to ‘the success, financially and artistically’, of Love, Honour, and the Woman at the T.R., Wolverhampton the previous week.
14 Apr 1919	Elephant and Castle Theatre, London	Professional	Read Narrative The Stage, 17 April 1919, reviewed at length ‘Love, Honour, and the Woman’ by Vincent W. Carlyle, performed by Joseph Millane’s company on Monday 14 April 1919 at the Elephant and Castle. The cast was: Richard Thornton, Vincent W. Carlyle; Harold Thornton, George Gaisford; Montgomery Fitzgerald, Fergus Leslie; Poulter, Leonard C. Way; Josephine, Violet St. John; Dorothy Thornton, Winnie Crichton; Lady Constance; Evie Conway; Bess, Florence Churchill ... “Love, Honour, and the Woman” is pretty sure to meet with favour from popular audiences’. Also: when Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 24 April 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour, and the Woman, Atonement and Hushed Up, (‘cast includes Florence Churchill’), the contact was Joseph Millane, Elephant and Castle Theatre, London. Which play did they perform in the second week?
28 Apr 1919	Empire Theatre, Longton	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Mr. Joseph Millane’s company is this week presenting two plays by Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle – “Love, Honour, and the Woman,” until Wednesday, and “The Man, the Woman, and —?” from Thursday to Saturday, at the Empire Theatre, Longton. The former was witnessed by two crowded audiences on Monday night, and was enthusiastically received'. Staffordshire Sentinel, 29 April 1919.
27 Oct 1919	Grand, Halifax	Professional	Read Narrative ‘The Evelyn A’Dell emotional play, “Love, Honour, and the Woman,” promises to prove a special attraction this week. It is an intense drama of the human passions, in which love and hate, virtue and vice, contend for the mastery, and in which some of the scenes are only too real in trend. The story is told in seven absorbing scenes, well acted by a small and select company. Miss Laurie Adair’s Bess is an impressive performance, and Mr. Vincent Carlyle’s Richard Thornton a decidedly good representation. In the role of Lady Constance, Miss May Lovett reproduces a type with unfaltering skill, and Mr. Roland Hope characterises Handel [sic – Harold] Thornton perfectly. Miss Bertha Hanbury gives a capital tone to Josey, Mr. Fergus Leslie renders his part cleverly and faithfully, while Mr. George Milford could hardly be improved upon as Poulter’. Halifax Evening Courier, 28 October 1918.
3 Nov 1919	Hippodrome, Huddersfield	Professional	Read Narrative ‘We have not yet seen the last war play, apparently, for “Love Honour and Woman,” which Miss [sic – Mr.] Evelyn A’Dell presents at the Hippodrome is a melodrama of events taking place during the great war. It is the intention of Harold Thornton to bring about his brother’s death by misdirecting him in the firing line, thus to inherit his property and money But this atrocious action on the part of one so near in blood, and of another who should come still nearer – for his sweetheart is also involved in the treachery – fails in its purpose, and the man is only wounded. Then he returns home to find his brother in possession of his house and married to the woman he trusted. There is no need to say how finally such a concatenation of false dealing and deceit is entirely exposed, and how true love and virtue are triumphant. However unreal the story, however false the situations and sentiment, the play is well acted and will not fail to make a direct appeal to Hippodrome audiences. Mr Vincent W. Carlyle (the author) plays admirably the principal role, and Miss Laurie Adair gives him invaluable support as the heroine. Then, in contrast, the villainous natures of Harold Thornton and his accomplice Lady Constance are ably assumed by Mr. Roland Hope and Miss Mary Lovett. There are also lighter parts played by competent artists’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 4 November 1919.
10 Nov 1919	Theatre Royal, Crook	Professional	Read Narrative When Vincent W. Carlyle advertised in The Stage, 13 November 1919, for theatres for Love, Honour and The Woman, Atonement and A Woman’s Soul, his address was the T.R., Crook. But performing what?
14 May 1920	Palace, Newcastle	Professional	Read Narrative The Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 11 May 1920, reviewed the performance of The Betrayal at the Palace Theatre the previous night, concluding ‘[Florence Churchill’s] portrayal of the character of Bess in “Love, Honour and the Woman,” on Friday, will be anticipated with interest’.
17 May 1920	Theatre Royal, South Shields	Professional	Read Narrative The Shields Daily News, 17 May 1920, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Mr. J. Millane Presents Miss F. Churchill’ in The Betrayal on Monday-Wednesday and Love, Honour and the Woman on Thursday-Saturday. Both plays were reported in the Shields Daily News, 18 May 1920.
11 Jun 1920	Palace Theatre, Bordesley	Professional	Read Narrative The Birmingham Daily Gazette, Tuesday 8 June 1920, advertised that week at the Palace Theatre, Bordesley: on Monday and Tuesday, Confessions of a Wife; on Wednesday and Thursday, Hushed up; and on Friday and Saturday, Love, Honour and the Woman.
5 Jul 1920	Palace Theatre, Redditch	Professional	Read Narrative ‘Joseph Millane’s company present “The Betrayal,” “Somewhere a Voice is Calling,” and “Love, Honour and the Woman.” The company includes Florence Churchill’. The Stage, 8 July 1920.

Coward

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Performances