Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is a sound simple vigorous little play showing how the socialist theories which prevent a sturdy North-Country miner from enlisting for what he calls a Capitalist war, are knocked on the head by the argumentum and hominem of an unhappy Belgian refugee, who describes some of the Hun horrors which, together with the policy inspiring them, provide the worthy motive for our war with Germany. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

The first performance of this play was to be on 5 June 1915 which was a Saturday. The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, hosted variety bills in the weeks beginning Monday 31 May and Monday 7 June 1915. Notices, advertisements and reviews in The Stage, The Era and the Glasgow newspaper the Daily Record identify various sketches and other acts which made up those weeks' shows but do not mention 'John Feeney, Socialist'. Performance on a Saturday suggests a one-off event. It is possible that if 'John Feeney, Socialist' was performed at all it was at a charity matinee that was held at the Pavilion Theatre on the afternoon of Saturday 5 June in aid of the Belgian Relief Clothing Fund. This was advertised in the Daily Record on that day and a review in the same newspaper on Monday 7 June reported, ‘The generosity of the music-hall profession is proverbial, and a further evidence of this characteristic trait was provided on Saturday, when a delightful matinee performance was given in the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, in aid of the Belgian Relief Clothing Fund. The proceeds were substantially increased by the sale of programmes, chocolates, and flowers gifted by various firms and individuals, the vendors being charming young ladies who wore dainty Belgian military caps. The programme, which attained a remarkably high standard of excellence, was long and varied. It was sustained by the leading artistes from the various music-halls in the city, and each of the fifteen turns was heartily cheered by a large audience’. One of those turns might have been 'John Feeney, Socialist'. No evidence has been found of a performance of the play at any other place or date.

Licensed On: 2 Jun 1915

License Number: 3474

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Genre(s):

British Library Reference: LCP1915/14

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66100 W

Performances

Date Theatre Type
5 Jun 1915 Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow Unknown Licensed Performance