Don't Be Silly

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

The injunction conveyed in the title of this piece is unfortunately not needed by its author, who has merely dressed up his previous revue 'the glorious day' with fresh suggestions of clowning 'business' and musical humour. He starts with a vision in which the author, at his theatrical diggings, sees, while dozing on the eve of the 4th August, how the Kaiser, the Spirit of Kultur, and the Crown Prince discuss the horrors of the War which they intend to being. Then at the Hotel Imperial there is started an incoherent plot by which a Revue Star, her fashionable admirer and her humble stage colleague Billy, mix themselves up in the public affairs of the day. The scene changes to the luxurious abode of a Prussian Count, the villain of the piece, who as alien spy has to be opposed in his schemes by the fair heroine and her protégé. These shames take them and us to Southampton Docks, to a beleaguered convent near Neuve Chapelle, to Egypt and to Constantinople and to H.M. S. Queen Elizabeth; and the odd melange of patriotism and riotous burlesque ends in a pantomimic celebration of British victory. There is no harm in any of the chaotic nonsense; but any unpublished musical numbers to be introduced must be forwarded for approval. Recommended for license. Ernest A. Bendall.

Researcher's Summary:

This was a revised version of Leonard Mortimer's successful revue 'The Glorious Day'. Changes included a reduction from 13 to 10 tableaux. The 'pastoral scene' in Devon was removed and new scenes showing 'Big Lizzie in Action' and a 'Carnival of Peace' were added. The performance was well received but Mortimer decided to have the play performed under its original title from the end of September 1915. For ease of reference all performances of 'Don't be Silly' are listed under the entry for 'The Glorious Day'.