Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is an extremely crude melodrama. Its story is that of the treachery by which a certain young naval officer, Patrick O'Hara is prevented by his worthless ex-mistress Guila Deveen from fulfilling his promise to marry his trusting sweetheart Rose Brittain before their child is born. This base purpose is effected by the usual forged messages and false letters; and as at the moment of its accomplishment the victim is ordered to sea, he knows nothing of the troubles which his deserted lady-love is undergoing except through visions which he sees while afloat. In one of these (p.55) he is witness of a scene in which poor Rose seeks to induce her doctor to prevent the birth of her coming child, but is persuaded by him to suffer and trust in God. Nor harm is meant by this episode, but it would be better omitted. After various wild improbabilities which include the young officer's speedy promotion (before his illegitimate son is eight years old) as 'Rear Admiral Sir Patrick O'Mara, K. C. V.' [sic] and his loss of memory through being torpedoed, everything comes right as foolishly as it went wrong. The boy brings his parents together, the father recovers his memory, the adventuress is foiled at the critical moment, and a happy ending is ridiculously reached. The play is trash; but with the exception of the 'abortion' argument which I have marked for excision (p.55) it is otherwise unobjectionable. Recommended for license Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

Mr Herbert Humber and Miss Ethel Wensley are the two artists prominent in the cast, the former as the young lieutenant who, in a ten years' absence, becomes an admiral but loses his memory through a wound, so that he loses also all recollection of his former sweetheart. There is a binding tie between them, however, in the shape of a little son, a precocious little chap who brings about the reconciliation between his long-parted father and mother.

Licensed On: 22 May 1915

License Number: 3466

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British Library Reference: LCP1915/14

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66100 O

Performances

Date Theatre Type
31 May 1915 Empire, Rotherham Unknown Licensed Performance
12 Jul 1915 Theatre Royal, Leeds Professional
26 Jul 1915 Hippodrome, Preston Professional
29 Sep 1915 Victoria Opera House, Burnley Professional
1 Nov 1915 Elephant and Castle Theatre, London Professional
29 Nov 1915 Palace Theatre, Bordesley Professional
13 Dec 1915 Dalston Theatre, London Professional
14 Aug 1916 Theatre Royal, South Shields Professional
27 Oct 1916 Grand Theatre, Mansfield Professional
1 Oct 1917 Metropole Theatre, Glasgow Professional
21 Nov 1917 Theatre Royal, Smethwick Professional
18 Feb 1918 Her Majesty's, Walsall Professional