War's Declared
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
A Colonel is awaiting a telephone message from the Cabinet as to the result of its meeting. This message a German spy is anxious to obtain; so he puts pressure on the Colonel's brother-in-law - whom he threatens to denounce as a forger - to induce his sister - the Colonel's wife - to secure and betray the secret. The colonel, discovering the treachery, gives his brother-in-law a revolver with a broad hint that he is to shoot himself. The hint is taken, and the curtain falls on a rather disappointing result as the German spy is allowed to go scot-free. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall
Researcher's Summary:
The performance scheduled at time of licensing for Thursday 23 September 1914 probably did not take place. The Theatre Royal, Stratford, was that week staging How Girls Are Brought To Ruin, or The Road To Ruin, and the following week it staged When Paris Sleeps (The Stage, 17 and 24 September and 1 October 1914). The sketch's first and only performance week was apparently 12-17 October 1914 at the Borough Theatre, Stratford. It is noteworthy for the fact that the action takes place on 4 August 1914: the message from the meeting of the Cabinet that Colonel Maynard conveys to Count von Hammerstein is 'War's declared'.
Licensed On: 21 Sep 1914
License Number: 2951
Genre(s):
Keyword(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1914/30
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66078 A
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Sep 1914 | Theatre Royal, Stratford | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 12 Oct 1914 | Borough Theatre, Stratford | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Variety will take the place of drama at the Borough Theatre, Stratford, next week, and the change ought to suit the present temper of our people. The spirit of war pervades the programme. George Barnes will present his Australian Naval Scouts; Arthur Page and Mildred Sylvestre will present “The Spy”; and Miss Ellen Nelson will produce a thrilling dramatic episode, “War Declared”’ (East London Observer, 10 October 1914). The Stage, 15 October 1914, reviewed the sketch: ‘On Monday, at the Borough, Stratford, Miss Ellen Nelson produced a dramatic episode, in one act, by Percy Ford, entitled:- War’s Declared’. The cast was: Colonel Maynard, Alfred Goddard; Mrs. Maynard, Ellen Nelson; Lieut. Cathcart, J. R. Tozer; Maisie Burton, Maude McCullock; Footman, William Flude; Count von Hammerstein, Fernley Bisshopp. The review continued: ‘The scene is laid at the house of Colonel Maynard, whose brother-in-law, Lieut. Cathcart, had some time previously forged Maynard’s name to a cheque. To save exposure Cathcart seeks the assistance of Count von Hammerstein, a foreign attaché, who insists that the price of his silence shall be certain private Government information that Cathcart is to procure. At the time the action opens Cathcart is under orders to entrain for Scotland, but the Count, hearing of an important Cabinet meeting, brusquely informs Cathcart that unless he imparts the Cabinet’s decision, which he will be able to ascertain over the ‘phone, he will expose him as an informer and forger. Cathcart explains that he is under orders to leave town. The count suggests that his sister, Mrs. Maynard, shall procure the information. Later Colonel Maynard receives the all-important telephone communication, and discovers his wife hiding in an adjoining cabinet. Thinking she has been eavesdropping with the intention of selling information to the Count, he is about to shoot her when Cathcart rushes into the room and confesses his complicity in the affair. The Colonel gravely informs him that war has been declared against von Hammerstein’s Government: he hands him a revolver and remarks that if Cathcart is alive at the expiration of an hour he will be arrested as a traitor. Cathcart takes the revolver and shoots himself. The Colonel sends for von Hammerstein and openly gives him the information he was so anxious to obtain, “War’s Declared.” First acting honours must be awarded Miss Ellen Nelson, who gives an impassioned reading of the distraught Mrs. Maynard. Mr. Alfred Goddard conveys point and emphasis to Colonel Maynard; and Mr. J. R. Tozer is polished in all he does as the unhappy Lieut. Cathcart. Mr. Fernley Bisshop is responsible for an excellent character study of Count von Hammerstein. Miss Maude McCullock and Mr. William Flude do all that is required of them in minor rôles’.
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