Gott Strafe England
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
A few weeks ago this would have been forbidden under the rule prohibiting the introduction of the German Emperor in appropriate persona, but the Lord Chamberlain has waived that rule and I do not think there is any other objection. The Emperor dictates imaginary answers to the American Government, which has protested against the use of poisonous gases and the sinking of the Lusitania. The latter is roughly the actual answer sent by the German government. The protesting against poisonous gases may be an ironical glancing at the American government, which has done no such thing, but that is hardly serious enough to matter in a music-hall sketch. The emperor then hears of defeats, addresses the Prussian guard in what is only a slight exaggeration of his reported efforts - 'every British must perish' & c. - and goes to sleep. He sees in a vision Sir Francis Drake, who merely makes remarks about the Spanish Armada, Napoleon, who warns him, and Lord Kitchener who only repeats some remarks he has actually made in the House of Lords. These personages are all represented by the same performer. He wakes to the sudden capture of Berlin by the British. The piece is obviously designed merely to give the performer a chance of making up in various parts. The premature triumph of our army is irritating while Berlin is still so far off, but I do not think there is anything in the little sketch which can reasonably be censored. Recommended for license. G. S. Street
Licensed On: 14 Aug 1915
License Number: 3685
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British Library Reference: LCP1915/23
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66109 I
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Aug 1915 | Pavilion, Hawick | Professional | Licensed Performance |
| 9 Aug 1915 | Pavilion, Hawick | Professional |
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Subtitled 'The War Lord's Nightmare' and performed for the full week by Edmund Frobisher. 'See Edmund Frobisher as the Kaiser, Kitchener, and Drake, etc. The first British Actor to give a serious Impersonation of H.I.M' (Hawick News and Border Chronicle, 6 August 1915). Edmund Frobisher presents:' Gott Strafe England' or 'The War Lord's Nightmare'. See Edmund Frobisher as the Kaiser, Kitchener, and Drake etc. The first British Actor to give a serious Impersonation of the German Emperor. We are sure Mr. Frobisher will meet with a most cordial reception. (Hawick Express Friday 6 August 1915) Another feature in a big programme is the presentation by Mr. Edmund Frobisher (Herbert P. Bisher) of his new playlet, "Got Strafe England" or "The War Lord's Nightmare.' The playlet opens with a scene in an apartment of the German Imperial Palace. Here Mr. Frobisher appears, in a convincing make-up as the Kaiser. Presently his Aide-de-Camp Captain Hermann, announces several reverses to the German forces and the consequent explosions of Imperial wrath are very well hit-off. One of the most effective bits of the playlet is that in which the Kaiser dictates replies to certain American protests. The combination of sarcasm and hypocrisy in these replies is cleverly thought out. By and by, the Kaiser retires behind a screen with the object of getting a little sleep, and during his slumbers he has a nightmare in which he is successively visited by Sir Francis Drake, Napoleon, and Lord Kitchener, who discourses to his Imperial Majesty in anything but agreeable terms. All these characters are impersonated by Mr. Frobisher with very creditable appreciation of their distinctive personalities. Finally the Kaiser awakes from his nightmare. Guns are heard booming in the distance, and on question the faithful Herman, the Kaiser is informed the Allies have taken Berlin, and the curtain descends on the complete collapse of His Imperial Majesty. Mr. Frobisher, in this performance, shows marked improvement on his previous efforts, and particularly in the way in which he succeeds in making himself audible throughout the house. The playlet is ingeniously and effectively staged, and at the close of Monday night's presentation Mr. Frobisher was called before the curtain and received a great ovation. Still another turn is provided by the Brothers Erard 'The Navvy and the Pro.' These are musical comedians whose combined musical and acrobatic accomplishments afford much enjoyment. The feature picture for the present week-end is a three-act drama entitled 'Woman.' The story is for the most part enacted amid impressive beautiful surroundings, the acting is first-rate, and the intensely human interest of the plot is most artistically worked out. (Hawick News Friday August 13, 1915)
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