A Woman In Khaki
Examiner of Plays' Summary:
The heroine of this sentimental war-drama is Madge, a Sergeant's daughter beloved by Viscount Harry, son of Lord Alistair, an apostle of universal disarmament and Cabinet Minister, who is a great friend of one of the Kaiser's great spies. This spy, Baron Manheim, is practising all sorts of villainy with Lord Alistair's secret papers and has for his enemy Madge who is acting as Alistair's secretary. The usual tampering with secret treatise being discovered the blame is thrown upon Madge who is thrown into prison, but upon her discharge does various gallant deeds in 'khaki' for the sake of the family which has treated her so ill. These stirring if ridiculous episodes occur in Alsace, where all the dramatis personae including the brave servant who supplies the comic relief, are miraculously gathered together for the outbreak of war. After all these alarums and excursions it is apparently proposed to carry the action further in two subsequent acts which, however, have not yet been submitted for License. So far as it goes the silly stuff may be recommended for License. Ernest A. Bendall. 3rd and 4th acts. The missing acts of this seriously-meant but ridiculous war-drama, now received, take the scene of the silly story back to England, where at Lord Alistair's house the German, now posing as a Russian continues his machinations. These are again defeated by the heroine in various disguises, which enable her to find a spies' cave on the cliffs, to prevent the defeat of a British Air-raid, to be rescued by her titled lover in his aeroplane and to add generally to the incredibilities of the innocuous rubbish. Recommended for license Ernest A. Bendall.
Researcher's Summary:
The play – referred to as either A Woman in Khaki or The Woman in Khaki - was performed several months before it was officially licensed, certainly from March 1915. It was toured by Mrs Frank Bateman’s company until December 1915 as part of an extensive repertoire of plays. Sometimes it appears to have been played for the whole week; on other occasions for only part of the week. In the latter case, precise performance dates are shown where it is known on which days the play was presented, otherwise the whole week is shown. Weeks where newspapers report Mrs Bateman’s company appearing but list plays other than A Woman in Khaki are those beginning 24 May, 21 and 28 June, 5 July, 30 August, 20 September, 22 November and 13 December. The position for the week beginning 5 April is unclear. No performances of the play have been identified after 1915.
Licensed On: 10 Sep 1915
License Number: 3701
Genre(s):
British Library Reference: LCP1915/23
British Library Classmark: Add MS 66109 X
Performances
| Date | Theatre | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Theatre Royal, Jarrow-On-Tyne | Unknown | Licensed Performance |
| 25 Mar 1915 | Metropole Theatre, Glasgow | Professional |
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The Daily Record, Saturday 20 March 1915, advertised for the following week at the Metropole, Glasgow, Mrs. Frank Bateman and Company in “Between Two Men” on Monday-Wednesday and, on Thursday-Saturday, in ‘An entirely New and Original Play, “The Woman in Khaki”‘.
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| 29 Mar 1915 | ?, West Stanley | Professional |
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Flora Hastings advertised herself in The Stage, 1 April 1915, as Countess Ardenfeldt in Gladys Hastings Walton’s latest success The Woman in Khaki with Mrs Frank Bateman’s company. Her address that week was West Stanley.
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| 5 Apr 1915 | Theatre Royal, Stratford | Professional |
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Flora Hastings advertised herself in The Stage, 1 April 1915, as Countess Ardenfeldt in Gladys Hastings Walton’s latest success The Woman in Khaki with Mrs Frank Bateman’s company. Her address the following week was the T.R., Stratford. ‘Next week [at the Royal, Stratford] Mrs Bateman and company in a repertory of plays’. The Stage, 1 April 1915.
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| 19 Apr 1915 | Grand, Brighton | Professional |
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‘Having regard to the large number of soldiers in the neighbourhood, no more appropriate fare could be provided than that supplied this week at the Grand [Brighton], where Mrs. Frank Bateman’s company are presenting the war drama A Woman in Khaki. Mrs. Bateman is appearing with conspicuous success as the Woman, and the hero is strikingly impersonated by Mr. Fred Goddard. Others in the case are Mr. Harry Aynsleigh, Miss Flora Hastings, Miss Lilian Lovell, Mr. Bert Daniels, Mr. Percy Shaw, Mr. Valentine Henry, Mr. G. Beale, Miss Marion Vyner, Mr. Chas. Adeson, and Miss Lily Adeson. Sapho is announced for tomorrow (Friday)’. The Stage, 22 April 1915.
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| 3 May 1915 | Dalston Theatre, London | Professional |
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'At the Dalston Theatre next week the well known dramatic actress, Mrs. Bateman, is appearing in a series of dramatic plays. She opens on Monday with her latest success, “A Woman in Khaki,” which will be repeated on Tuesday, Thursday matinee and on Saturday night; on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, “Nell Gwynne,” and on Friday night, “Sapho.” Mrs. Bateman brings with her a very capable company, and after so many West End plays recently given at the Dalston, a week of drama will no doubt be much appreciated’ (East London Observer, Saturday 1 May 1915). ‘This week’s attraction at the Dalston Theatre is Mrs. Bateman in a series of Dramatic Plays, interpreted by a very capable company. The repertoire consists of “A Woman in Khaki,” “Nell Gwynne,” and “Sapho”’ (Gloucester Citizen, 5 May 1915). See also https://eastendww1.wordpress.com/tag/dalston-theatre which quotes from a review of The Woman in Khaki in the Hackney and Kingsland Gazette, purportedly on Saturday 9 May 1915 but that date was a Sunday; internal evidence suggests the piece was published on Wednesday 5 May.
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| 10 May 1915 | Grand Theatre, Doncaster | Professional |
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‘There is quite a variety of high-class dramatic fare announced for the Grand Theatre, Doncaster, next week, when the talented actress, Mrs. Frank Bateman, will make a welcome re-appearance. No less than three different plays are billed, and these will be presented by one of the ablest dramatic companies on tour. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights there will be submitted a new play by Gladys Hastings Walton, entitled “The Woman in Khaki,” the plot of which is based on the events leading up to the present great European upheaval. Mrs. Frank Bateman appears Madge Rawlinson (the woman in khaki), and will be supported by such favourite artistes as Miss Lillian Lovell, Miss Flora Hastings, Messrs. Fred Goddard, Valentine Henry, Harry Aynsleigh, etc. “Between Two Men” will be played on Tuesday night, and on Thursday and Saturday the favourite play, “Sapho” fills the bill’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times, 8 May 1915.
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| 17 May 1915 | Kelly's Theatre, Liverpool | Professional |
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‘Mrs. Frank Bateman appears at Kelly’s Theatre [next week] as the heroine in a “domestic war drama,” entitled “The Woman in Khaki.” On Friday night the bill will be changed to “Sapho”’ (Liverpool Echo, 15 May 1915). ‘This week’s attraction [at Kelly’s Theatre], “The Woman in Khaki,” described as a domestic war drama, contains many “thrills,” and the incidents leading up to the unmasking of Baron Heindrick Manheim, the spy, well played by Mr. Harry Aynsleigh, grip the feelings of the audience. In the title role Mrs. Frank Bateman showed herself a capable actress. On Friday the same company will present “Sapho’’’ (Liverpool Echo, 18 May 1915).
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| 12 Jul 1915 | Queen's Theatre, Holbeck, Leeds | Professional |
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The Era, 14 July 1915, noted that Mrs Frank Bateman and her company were appearing that week at the Queen’s, Leeds in a repertoire consisting of The Woman in Khaki, The Way Women Fool and Every Woman’s Sin. ‘Mr. Charles Bush is reverting to drama again this week, and once more the patrons have the pleasure of welcoming back to Leeds Mrs. Frank Bateman and company in a repertory of plays. On Monday Mrs. Bateman appeared in a military drama, A Woman in Khaki. Mrs. Bateman has a fine emotional part in this play, and she and Mr. Fred Goddard gain much applause. The remainder of the company likewise do good work’ (The Stage, 15 July 1915). An advertisement in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 15 July 1915, showed that The Woman in Khaki was being played that night; but an advertisement in the Leeds Mercury, Friday 16 July, showed that for that night only Every Woman’s Sin was to be played.
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| 5 Aug 1915 | Grand, Lancaster | Professional |
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The Stage, 5 August 1915, reported that Mrs Frank Bateman and her company were at the Grand Theatre, Lancaster that week with three plays: Between Two Men on Monday and Tuesday, Sapho on Wednesday, and The Woman in Khaki for the last three evenings of the week. Also The Era, 4 August 1915.
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| 9 Aug 1915 | Metropole Theatre, Bootle | Professional |
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The Stage, 5 and 12 August 1915, listed The Woman in Khaki as On Tour from 9 August at the Metropole, Bootle.
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| 16 Aug 1915 | Grand Theatre, Halifax | Professional |
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The Era, 18 August 1915, noted that ‘For the first part of the week “A Woman in Khaki” and “Sapho” [sic] is being staged here, with Mrs Frank Bateman in the title rôle’. Will H Glaze’s company was there during the second half of the week.
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| 19 Aug 1915 | Theatre Royal, Dewsbury | Professional |
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The Era, 18 August 1915, noted that The Woman in Khaki was being presented by Mr and Mrs [sic] Frank Bateman at the Theatre Royal, Dewsbury, on Thursday and Friday that week, with Sapho on Saturday.
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| 23 Aug 1915 | Palace Theatre, Rochdale | Professional |
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The Stage, 26 August 1915, reported that Mrs Frank Bateman and company played The Man [sic] in Khaki on Monday and Tuesday and Sapho on Wednesday at the Palace, Rochdale. ‘For the end of the week The Beggar Princess will be staged’ [presumably by Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy – see under Bury below].
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| 26 Aug 1915 | Theatre Royal, Bury | Professional |
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The Era, 25 August 1915, reported, ‘Twice nightly: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy present “The Beggar Princess” [c.f. under Rochdale above]; Thursday and Friday, “The Woman in Khaki”, and Saturday, “Sapho,” presented by Mr. [sic] Frank Bateman and company’ at the Royal, Bury.
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| 6 Sep 1915 | Theatre Royal, North Shields | Professional |
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The Shields Daily News, 6 September 1915, advertised for that week at the Theatre Royal, North Shields, ‘Mrs Frank Bateman and her Talented Repertoire Company’ in The Woman in Khaki on Monday-Wednesday, Sapho on Thursday, and The Way Women Love on Friday and Saturday. Noted in The Era, 8 September 1915, and The Stage, 9 September 1915.
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| 27 Sep 1915 | Metropole Theatre, Gateshead | Professional |
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The Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Wednesday 29 September 1915, advertised Mrs Frank Bateman and Company at the Metropole, Gateshead, in The Woman in Khaki on Monday-Wednesday, Sapho on Thursday and The Way Women Love on Friday and Saturday. ‘Mrs Frank Bateman and company [are at the Metropole, Gateshead] in The Woman in Khaki, Sapho and The Way Women Love. The first-named piece was highly appreciated by two full houses on Monday. The chief parts were capitally sustained by Fred. W. Goddard, E. S. Rowe, Harry Ainsleigh, Edward Lowrie, Bert Daniels, Percy Shaw, Frank Hancox, Mrs. Bateman, Lily Adeson, Flora Hastings, Marion Vyner, and Lilian Lovell’ (The Stage, 30 September 1915). Noted in The Era, 29 September 1915.
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| 18 Oct 1915 | Hippodrome, Mexborough | Professional |
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‘[Next week at the Mexborough Hippodrome] there is a double hill, provided by a Mexboro’ favourite, viz., Mrs. Frank Bateman, who is supported by a sterling company. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights Mrs. Bateman will submit an entirely new drama, entitled “The Woman in Khaki,” by Gladys Hastings Walton. It is a vigorous and well-written story dealing with events leading up to and since actually taken place in the great world struggle. Mrs. Frank Bateman herself plays the title role, and is supported by Miss Lily Adeson (Lady Alastair), Miss Flora Hastings (Countess Von Arnfeldt), Mr. F. W. Goddard (Viscount Kendrick), Mr. H. W. Parker (Paul du Barry), Mr. Roy Jackson (Baron Manheim), and others. On Friday and Saturday nights, a powerful domestic drama, “Why Women Love,” will be presented. Both plays are splendidly staged’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times, 16 October 1915). ‘Hippodrome patrons … have been well pleased with Mrs. Frank Bateman’s productions [this week]. For the first four nights the play submitted was “The Woman in Khaki,” a story suited to the times. It deals with the German spy system, and the character of Baron Heindrick Manheim is just such a one as comes easily to the imagination – mercenary and soulless. Ably played by Mr. Roy Jackson, Baron Manheim is a source of much execration by the audience; just as, in reverse order, the inspiring character of Madge Rawlinson (the woman in khaki), cleverly played by Mrs. Frank Bateman, is vigorously and enthusiastically cheered. Mr. Fred W. Goddard is a true type of Britisher in his role of Viscount Harry Kendrick; Lord Alastair is ably played by Mr. Bert Daniels; an interesting figure of Sergt.-Major Rawlinson is presented by Mr. E. Lowrie; while Miss Flora Hastings (Countess Arnfeldt), and Miss Lily Adeson (Lady Alastair) play most successfully. An enjoyable vein of comedy relieved the heavier parts of the drama, and the piece was well staged’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times, 23 October 1915).
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| 25 Oct 1915 | Theatre Royal, Sheffield | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘At the Sheffield Theatre Royal [next week] Mrs. Frank Bateman’s company will appear in “A Woman in Khaki” and “Sapho”’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Friday 22 October 1915; also the Sheffield Evening Telegraph of the same date). ‘“The Woman in Khaki,” presented by Mrs. Frank Bateman and Company had an encouraging reception at the hands of a large audience at the Theatre Royal last night. An alteration in the programme will take place on Thursday and Friday nights, when the same company will present “Sapho”’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 26 October 1915; and noted in the Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 26 October 1915).
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| 15 Nov 1915 | Hippodrome, Bilston | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘This week we have a welcome return visit from Mrs. Frank Bateman and her company. On Monday The Woman in Khaki was presented. Mrs. Bateman appeared in the name part and met with the usual enthusiastic reception. Fred W. Goddard made an excellent impression as Viscount Harry Kendrick. Also in the week’s bill are She Gave Her Life, Sapho, East Lynne, and The Way Women Love’. The Stage, 18 November 1915.
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| 6 Dec 1915 | Royal Palace, Liverpool | Professional |
Read Narrative
‘Mrs Frank Bateman and her repertoire company are here [Royal Palace, Liverpool] with popular twice nightly works, which include “The Woman in Khaki,” “The Way Women Love,” and “Between Two Men”’ (Liverpool Echo, 8 December 1915). Noted in The Era, 8 December 1915.
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