Great War Theatre

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

This is described as 'an Egyptian melodrama' and the period is in February of this year. The scene and most of the characters are military and I have read it with particular caution on that account; so far as I can see, however, there is no harm in it, and certainly no disparagement of the King's Uniform; moreover, except for the melodramatic story the atmosphere is more accurate than that of most of the war dramas we have had. The officers and men belong to the 'Downshires', encamped in Egypt ready to meet a Turkish advance. The villain is one Captain Leroy, in reality a German and of course a spy. One does not quite like this assumed possibility, but we have had it often before. The hero, Flight-Lieutenant Vyse, is in love with Sister Helen and has met her at night outside the camp, [...] and innocently. Leroy bribes an ex-guide and spy, Mahmoud, to pretend that Vyse's pocket book, which he has found, was dropped outside a Turkish tent. Vyse is arrested, refusing to explain for fear of compromising Helen, but escapes in his aeroplane to track Mahmoud and clear himself. In the second scene we have an Arab Sheykh at home, with much local colour. Leroy comes to bribe him to join the Turks; Vyse comes seeking Mahmoud; the Sheyke sides with Vyse who takes Leroy bound in his aeroplane (after a thrilling struggle in the air) back to camp. There, however, appearances are held - rather stupidly - to be dead against Vyse and he is on the point of being shot when (1) a sergeant brings in Ahmoud to inculpate Leroy and (2) the Sheykh arrives to tell the whole truth. Then Leroy is shot instead, shouting 'Deutchland uber alles'. There is some comic relief with a lady journalist which is vulgar and silly, but not at all indecent. Recommended for License, G. S. Street.

Licensed On: 21 May 1915

License Number: 3447

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British Library Reference: LCP1915/13

British Library Classmark: Add MS 66099 Z

Performances

Date Theatre Type
24 May 1915 Euston Music Hall, London Unknown Licensed Performance