Back To Blighty
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
This is a rudimentary little spy melodrama telling the story of a young Naval officer who on his return home for the unveiling of a War Shrine, finds himself torn between love and his duty. For the unmasking of a couple of spies discovered by his father he has to make love to one of them, thus breaking the heart of his fiancée. His ruse succeeds: he finds out the secret about a nefarious buoy off the coast, to which his distressed sweetheart bravely swims, and thus defeats the mysterious strategy of a submerged U-boat. The reward of the pair for their patriotic self-sacrifice is provided in the public engagement permitted when the spies have been denounced and worsted. It is a raw little skeleton of a play, and its comic relief is particularly puerile. But it is well meaning and wholly free from offence. Recommended for Licence. Ernest A. Bendall.
Researcher's Summary:
The play was performed by the author’s own repertory company. Only the performances of Back to Blighty below have been identified. Ivy Maurice’s company performed also at the Olympia, West Bromwich in the weeks beginning 23 and 30 September and 14 October 1918; at the Hippodrome, Darwen in the week beginning 25 November 1918 ‘in a series of attractive dramas’ which may have included Back to Blighty (The Stage, 28 November 1918); and at the Alexandra Theatre, Pontefract in the week beginning 2 December 1918 when ‘A Patriot of France’ was presented on the Monday (The Stage, 5 December 1918).
Licensed On: 17 Sep 1918
License Number: 1772
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1918/16
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66198 Q
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 1918 | Palace Theatre, Barnoldswick | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 16 Sep 1918 | Palace Theatre, Barnoldswick | Professional |
Read Narrative
The Era, 18 September 1918, reviewed Back to Blighty, a ‘Naval Spy Play, in Five Acts, Presented at the Palace, Barnoldswick, on Monday Sept. 16’. The review, largely illegible on the British Newspaper Archive, concluded: ‘The new play should on its merits have a long and prosperous run’.
|
| 21 Oct 1918 | Public Hall, Runcorn | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Next week Miss Ivy Maurice’s company come for the week in four plays. On Monday and Tuesday the great play, “Back to Blighty,” will be staged, in which there is a scene from the battle of Trafalgar to celebrate Trafalgar day [21 October]’ (Runcorn Weekly News, 18 October 1918). Noted in The Stage, 24 October 1918: ‘On Monday and Tuesday Back to Blighty was presented to crowded audiences’. Also: ‘An unusual and interesting type of programme is presented this week at the Hall by Miss Ivy Maurice’s Company. On Monday evening a spy play, “Back to Blighty” with a strong nautical flavour was presented. It is as thrilling as anything of the kind well can be, and is admirably played. Miss Olive Williams as the heroine and Miss Kathleen Langbridge as the lady spy do particularly well. The dresses and staging are exquisite, and a fine tableau curtain, picturing the battle of Trafalgar, makes a “hit” with the audience. The play is followed by a capital variety entertainment, Miss Williams singing in dashing style and revealing her capacity as a “principal boy.” Mr. Jack Maitland, Miss Violet O’Connor, Miss Susie Vaughan and Mr. Tom Willey also take part with success (Runcorn Guardian, 25 October 1918).
|
| 4 Nov 1918 | Hippodrome, Cannock, Staffs | Professional |
Read Narrative
The Cannock Chase Courier, 2 November 1918, advertised at the Hippodrome, Cannock, on Monday 4 November and during the week, ‘Ivy Maurice Presents her Unique Repertoire’ including Back to Blighty on Monday and Tuesday. Noted in The Stage, 7 November 1918: ‘Back to Blighty was selected to introduce the capable company’.
|