Great War Theatre

Address: South Shields, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
14 Sep 1914 In Time of War Professional
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Performed twice nightly and advertised as 'the new military drama on the present crisis' (Shields Daily News, 16 September 1914) Popular prices: Circle 9d; Pit 5d; Gallery 2d. C. Watson Mill played the lead character.
23 Nov 1914 In Time of War Professional
15 Mar 1915 The Angelus Bell Professional
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‘A military drama, entitled “The Angelus Bell,” is the attraction at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, this week. It depicts difficulties surrounding the position of Bonita, Queen Sardonia, who has just come to the throne, and must by a given time select who is to share the regal honours with her. Prince D'Austurios, known as “the Pretender,” seeks to occupy that coveted position, and claims it almost as a right, but his wooing makes no head way, and his plotting meets with ill success. The choice of Bonita falls upon Paul Lorrimer, swordsman of the King's Guards, Guards, around whom rally the best spirits in the kingdom. Many are the sparkling incidents which stud the play, in which he is the hero. Mr Herbert Skardon fills the role of heroic Paul Lorrimer with an ease and ability that win the warm enthusiasm of the audience from the very first. Miss Sydney Crowe as the Queen is delightful, and not only does she act with exquisite charm, but also much power. The thankless part of “The Pretender” is excellently accounted for by Mr A. Edward Brooke. Mr E. W. Bretton gives a finished performance as the Prime Minister, and Miss Ella Thornton as the Marquise de St. Aubert. Rollicking fun is provided by Mr Victor Mason as Trooper Delahunt, and Miss Phyllis Rae as Dolly, a vivandiere’. Shields Daily News, 16 March 1915.
22 Mar 1915 Remember Belgium [licensed as 'George Grant'] Professional
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‘As the title readily implies, the dramatic production enacted on the boards of the Theatre Royal, South Shields, this week, “Remember Belgium,” is of a thoroughly up-to-date character, and on that score alone will probably attract capital audiences. It has, however, inherent merits, and is full of episodes of a thrilling kind. The leading character is George Grant, who has been brought up as the son of a country squire, though in reality his parents are Colonel and Mrs. Featherstone, who had been separated in his childhood, having not met again till after the story opens, when Mrs. Featherstone has with her an adopted daughter, Marie, who had been exchanged for George. These two young people fall in love, and it only afterwards transpires what is their true relationship. The young hero, who has thoughtlessly been accused of cowardice, joins the ranks, and son wins distinction, though plots and many dangers bar his way. In the chief role Mr. Cliffe Deane acquits himself well, and in no scene better than when he proves the valour of the young Englishman in the capture of a German flag. As the brave but hot-headed Colonel, there is much character in the acting of Mr. Arthur L. Read. The part of Mrs. Featherstone is powerfully represented by Miss Gipsy Alexandra [sic - Alexander], and Miss Vida Haslewood is a charming Marie. The Mrs. Cackles of Miss Lelia Drummond is exceedingly droll. Mr Percy Brown, as the comic Frenchman and German spy, and Mr Walli Ives, as Kelly Cackles, keep the house pealing with merriment, and the Joe Sprout of Mr George Morris is also good’. Shields Daily News, 23 March 1915.
19 Apr 1915 War and a Woman [Women and War] Professional
10 May 1915 Joy - Sister of Mercy Professional
24 May 1915 La Flambee Professional
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Performers: Cecile Barclay, Rupert Lister
18 Jun 1915 Married Midst Shot And Shell [The Bride of the Battlefield] Professional
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Performed for one-night only, at 6.50 and 9pm/
12 Jul 1915 The War Baby Professional
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"The War Baby' is a theme that has been universally discussed in recent months, and it is not surprising that it should find its way into stage drama. The problem has been dealt with in a very interesting way ...and two enthusiastic houses witnessed its performance.' (Shields Daily News, 13 July 1915).
2 Aug 1915 Home Once More Professional
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‘“Home Once More,” an interesting domestic play, written by Emma Litchfield, was presented to a South Shields audience at the Theatre Royal for the first time last night. It was welcomed by two crowded houses, and the welcome was complimentary and enthusiastic in an unusual degree. The story, although it reveals nothing quite new in the way of domestic drama, is yet exceedingly attractive and compelling ... Miss Litchfield has considerable emotional powers which have abundance of opportunity for display in the piece. The remorseless Stella Richmond is also excellently presented, Miss Ena Newham playing the part with much skill and coolness. The heroic but deluded Geoffrey is in the able hands of Mr S. P. Goodyer-Kettley, and the rest of the parts are also excellently supported’ (Shields Daily News, 3 August 1915). The Stage, 19 August 1915, included the following testimonial dated 7 August 1915 from J. W. Coulson of the Theatre Royal, South Shields, in an advertisement for Home Once More: ‘Dear Miss Litchfield, I can honestly say I am delighted with your Production of “Home Once More.” You have an excellent Company of Artists, and the Play is beautifully mounted. The entire production is much above the average, and it is the best week’s drama business done here since the War started. Trusting business in the future will be all you desire and deserve’.
23 Aug 1915 His Mother's Rosary Professional
4 Oct 1915 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Stage, 30 September 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (North Co.) as On Tour from 4 October at the Royal, South Shields. Also: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vaughan’s company are appearing twice nightly in The Little Grey Home in the West. Edward E. Ashby as Cecil Standing, Mabel Listen as Mary Bryant, and Herbert Warne as Dick Bryant admirably represent the principal parts, and adequate support is given by Madge Douglass, Ellen Beverley, Ada Roscoe, Edgar Morgan, Percy Braithwaite, and Willie Graham’ (The Stage, 7 October 1915).
20 Dec 1915 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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... a play of great human interest ... ('Shields Daily News', 22 December 1915, p. 2)
10 Jan 1916 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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Advertised in the Shields Daily News, 10 January 1916, as ‘Mr Oswald Craig [sic] presents his latest Drama “TUM”’. Noted in The Era, 12 January 1916.
20 Jan 1916 Brave Women Who Wait Professional
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Twice nightly
14 Feb 1916 The Woman Pays - Back Professional
17 Apr 1916 By Killarney's Lakes Unknown
8 May 1916 The Love Child Professional
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‘“Neither Wife Nor Maid,” which is being acted at the Theatre Royal, South Shields this week, is a play that grips the interest at the very outset, which never slackens till the end of the final scene. The central figure is Meg Huxter, a poor but ambitious girl in the position of barmaid, who rejects the love of “Curly” Sanders, a man in her own class of life, to be led astray by an officer, who after deceiving her joins his regiment, and is afterwards wrongly supposed to have fallen in action. Ten years are supposed to have elapsed when we make the acquaintance of a boy, the son of the army officer and Meg Huxter. His mother has passed through dire straits, and has taken up with Steve Warden, a burglar and ruffian. The bright boy attracts the favourable attention of Lady Rose Kingdon, a childless wife, who eventually prevails upon the poor mother to allow her to adopt him. Hereafter, Tommy is seen in wealthy surroundings, and the manner in which he acquits himself is a leading feature in the play. “Curly” Sanders, who has been doing “time” for knocking out a policeman, figures prominently as the defender of the discarded mother, and who had endeavoured to win her affections in happier days, and protects her against the brutalities of Steve Warden, the crook, and his mate, “Boney.” Nothing could be finer than the way in which Mr John Johnston fills the part of “Curly” Sanders, the hero of the piece. He captivates the audience first as the would-be sweetheart of Meg, and later as the staunch friend of the mother and her boy. One particularly fine scene is when he sings “He’s My Pal,” and introduces his dog, a highly intelligent animal, that comes in for his full share of applause. In the role of the heroine Miss Ada Abbott acts with much power, while little Miss Nellie Crowther is delightful as the boy Tommy. Mr Herbert Barrs hits off Steve Warden, who is of the Bill Sykes’ order, in a way that marks him as an actor of a very competent kind indeed. Miss Glory Kelland gives a most charming representation of Lady Rose Kingdon, the foster mother of the boy, and as the Dowager Lady Kingdon, Miss Agnes Kingston shows to especial advantage. The part of Eliza, the housemaid, is excellently accounted for by Miss Marion Holly, and creates the great hilarity, while much is to be said for Mr Edward Keene, as Portal the butler, as a comedian, and Miss Esther Carthew as Manx, the housekeeper’. Shields Daily Gazette, 9 May 1916.
15 May 1916 The Sunshine of Paradise Alley Professional
26 Jun 1916 Should a Woman Forgive? Professional
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Performed by Will Casey and Company
17 Jul 1916 Home Once More Professional
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‘A highly interesting domestic play was presented in a very acceptable way to large houses at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, last night. It is Miss Emma Litchfield’s favourite drama, “Home Once More,” which left very qualifying impressions behind its former visit to this house ... The role of Mary [Lorraine] is taken by Miss Litchfield herself, and, needless to say, is very sympathetically and excellently pourtrayed [sic]. There is a fine patriotic sentiment in her lines, and the earnestness and fervour she imparts to them made a strong appeal to the audience. Lieut. Eric Lorraine is another excellent character, in the hands of Mr. Conrad E. Stratford, and the mischief-making Stella is quite a captivating performance, under the skilful treatment of Miss Eva [sic - Ena] Newham. But the whole of the parts are well sustained, and the play is likely to have a successful run’. Shields Daily News, 19 July 1916.
21 Aug 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Era, 16 August 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West as On The Road from 21 August at the T.R., South Shields. Also The Stage, 17 August 1916.
25 Aug 1916 The Soldier Priest Professional
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Performers:Matthew H Glenville and Co. Reviews: well constructed and well acted", South Shields Daily News
29 Mar 1917 After The War Unknown
2 Apr 1917 The Cottage Girl Professional
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Miss Eva Elwes and Company in the new play of English country life. Two performances on Good Friday. ('Shields Daily News, 5 April 1917, p. 1)
16 Apr 1917 After The War Professional
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After the War at the Theatre Royal, South Shields last week brought golden opinions for John Coulson Esq. (The Stage - Thursday 26 April 1917)
30 Apr 1917 A Mother's Prayer Professional
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Performed as 'The Middy V.C. Comes Home'
18 Jun 1917 Honour the Man You Wed Professional
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Twice nightly
25 Jun 1917 Should a Woman Forgive? Professional
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Performed by Will Casey and company.
6 Aug 1917 Always Welcome Professional
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‘Holiday crowds packed both performances at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, last night, when a play entitled “Always Welcome” was produced. The central character is Rosie Summers, the supposed heiress of her grandfather, and therefore wooed by well-dressed scamp named Philip Webster, alias West. The girl is infatuated with the villain, although loved for herself alone by Lieut. Hardly Clinton, R.N., and despite the earnest pleadings of her mother, Emma Summers, in her wilful disposition rejects all friendly advice, throws in her lot with her tempter. The latter, to hasten the hour he shall come into the girl’s wealth, shoots the grandfather just after the old man has handed over his will to the girl’s mother, bequeathing everything to her and her brother. When he finds out that has married a penniless girl Philip West is furious, and treats his young wife with great brutality, and tells her that she is really no wife of his, as he had been already married, and his first wife is still living. The first wife, Mabel Webster, puts in her appearance. She had become a drunkard, but is taken into the household of the good-hearted Emma Summers, and reforms, to become a useful member of society as a professional nurse, and as such tends Lieut. Hardy Clinton, who has been stricken blind in a naval fight. By the highest medical skill his sight is restored, and he marries the girl Rosie, who had long since discovered her fatal blunder in allying herself with Philip Webster. The dominating figure throughout the play is Miss Emma Litchfield in the part of Emma Summers. She is a bright actress, and as the mother of the heroine is full of human sympathy, not only for the wayward daughter, but for other misguided mortals such as Mabel Webster. Another strong character is that of Philip Webster played by Mr Conrad E. Stratford. The cruelty of the heartless husband, the dissipated rake, and the fugitive flying from justice are all traits depicted with much force. Miss Winifred Rutland is very effective as Mabel Webster, and Rosie Summers finds a charming exponent in Miss Lillie Livesey. Abundance of light comedy is introduced into the piece by Mr Tom H. Selby [sic - Solly], William Barrett, and Miss Claire Elkington, in which both singing and dancing are alike a feature’. Shields Daily News, 7 August 1917.
17 Sep 1917 Married Midst Shot And Shell [The Bride of the Battlefield] Professional
8 Oct 1917 The Love Child Professional
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The Shields Daily News, 8 October 1917, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Mr Ernest R. Abbott’s company in the new and original play:- “Neither Wife Nor Maid”’. The Shields Daily News reviewed the play the following day but much is illegible on the British Newspaper Archive copy.
15 Oct 1917 Blackmail [The Voice on the 'Phone] Professional
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‘A welcome change from the ordinary domestic drama is seen this week at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, in a play entitled “Blackmail,” written by Mr Clifford Rean. The opening is in the library at the house of Sir Charles Inglemere, whose infant son is lying dangerously ill of scarlet fever at a farm in the neighbourhood. False news comes that he has died. In reality, it is the fanner’s son, a boy of the same age, who has succumbed. The distracted father, to hide the fatal truth from his wife, arranges with the farmer for a considerable sum that the living child shall be given out as the rich man’s son. This secret arrangement is overheard by Sir Charles’s secretary, Julius Dawn, who makes a villainous use of it in the way of blackmail. The boy comes to manhood, having been trained for the medical profession. A star music hall artiste, the young sister of Julius Dawn, comes on the scene and is let into the great secret of her swindling brother. She tries to entangle the young man into a marriage with her, but he treats her advances with scorn, which drives her into such a rage that when he announces his intention to marry Miss Hulton, the farmer’s daughter, she tells him that is impossible, as Miss Hulton is his own sister. This climax is followed by another, when the farmer and his wife each make a written confession that the boy was Sir Charles Inglemere’s own son after all. This clears the way for the wedding of James Inglemere and Miss Hulton, and the discomfiture of Julius Dawn and his scheming sister. The interest in the plot is kept up to the very last. The part of Sir Charles Inglemere is played with great effect by Mr Harry Tresham, and in the role of Julius Dawn Mr Charles Yorke gives a fine study of character. Nothing more lively and piquant could be imagined than the acting of Miss Renee Bevan as the music hall star, and there is some clever acting as the Yankee journalist by Mr H. Wilson [sic - R. Wilson]. A most charming impersonation of Lady Mary [sic] Inglemere is given by Miss Nita Langford’. Shields Daily News, 16 October 1917.
10 Dec 1917 The Amazing Marriage Professional
18 Feb 1918 When Our Lads Come Marching Home Professional
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Performers: Harry Foxwell (role not listed but advert suggests - Producer). Performing: Twice nightly performance of new play
20 May 1918 A Mother's Prayer Professional
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Twice nightly. Performed as 'The Middy V.C. Comes Home'
27 May 1918 Girl Mother Professional
3 Jun 1918 His Mother's Rosary Professional
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Will Glaze's Company
1 Jul 1918 His Wife’s Good Name Professional
8 Jul 1918 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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Advertised in the Shields Daily News, 8 July 1918: ‘Mr Arthur Hinton & Coy., in the Up-to-Date Drama, “The Black Sheep of the Family”‘.
22 Jul 1918 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Twice nightly
5 Aug 1918 The Queen and The Knave Professional
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Performed for the week by Emma Litchfield and her company for the week and described as a 'high class production [...] of great charm' (Shields Daily News, 6 August 1918)
28 Oct 1918 Coward Professional
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The Shields Daily News, 28 October 1918, advertised twice nightly at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, Joseph Millane’s company in Love, Honour and the Woman.
17 Mar 1919 Love's Young Dream Professional
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Twice nightly.
12 May 1919 Billy's Mother Professional
9 Jun 1919 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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Performed 9-14 June 1919: ‘There was a big crowd last night at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, at the opening performance of a play entitled Coming Home. The plot is of the military order, and opens at the home of a hypocritical profiteering grocer, Enoch Hargreaves, where three soldiers have been billeted. One of them, Reggie Travers, is a gentleman ranker, and falls in love with Mary Darling, a poor relative of the family, a part which is played with great charm by Miss Gladys Ford-Howitt. There is the well-dressed German spy posing as Mr. Smith, in love with the grocer’s daughter Rhoda, and secretly scheming mischief to British interests in which he is aided by the psalm-singing provision merchant. This dastardly plot is discovered by Reggie Travers. The three soldier companions are called up and go through trying times. They encounter the German once more in interned [sic] camp, where Reggie, after a fierce struggle, kills him. It is a piece full of strong situations in which the hero's part is played with much power by Mr E. Vivian Edmonds. The role of the spy is cleverly interpreted by Arthur Cheevers. Mr Harry Warde as one of the soldiers introduces some excellent songs, and Mr Frank Fountain gives a capital representation of the third soldier. There is much humour in Miss H. Graham Edwin’s acting as the frisky domestic and in Miss Alice Fountain’s account of the maiden sister of the grocer, which important part is played with much success by Mr Fred Gresham’ (Shields Daily News, 10 June 1919)
16 Jun 1919 His Wife’s Good Name Professional
8 Aug 1919 Always Welcome Professional
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This was the first of a two-week season at this theatre. The Shields Daily News, 5 August 1919, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Twice nightly Miss Emma Litchfield presents Queen of the Redskins. Friday only: “Always Welcome”‘. ‘Emma Lichfield [sic] and company are presenting the American play, “Queen of the Redskins” [at the Theatre Royal, South Shields] ... On Friday “Always Welcome” is down for production’ (The Era, 6 August 1919).
15 Aug 1919 Home Once More Professional
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The Shields Daily News, Monday 11 August 1919, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Twice nightly Miss Emma Litchfield presents – “Rival Mothers.” Friday Only – “Home Once More”’.
21 Feb 1920 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Performed on Friday 21 February only.
17 May 1920 Coward Professional
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The Shields Daily News, 17 May 1920, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Mr. J. Millane Presents Miss F. Churchill’ in The Betrayal on Monday-Wednesday and Love, Honour and the Woman on Thursday-Saturday. Both plays were reported in the Shields Daily News, 18 May 1920.
9 Aug 1920 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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The Shields Daily News, Wednesday 11 August 1920, advertised ‘Mr. Arthur Hinton presents’ at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, The Black Sheep of the Family on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; Let No Man Put Asunder on Wednesday; East Lynne on Thursday; and Caste on Friday.
14 Sep 1931 General Post Professional
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Performed by the South Shields Repertory Company