Rotunda, Liverpool

'It ought to make a very strong recruiting appeal' (Liverpool Echo, 26 September 1914)

‘At the Rotunda Theatre, on Monday, Mr. M. Montgomery will present, for the first time in Liverpool, Miss Hilda Beverley in an entirely new melodrama, founded on the events of the present European conflict, entitled “When There Was War.” The author of the new drama, which is credited with being a strong play, is Mr. Joseph M. Wharncliffe’ (Liverpool Echo, 30 January 1915). ‘“When there was War,” a new, original, romantic play, is presented by Miss Hilda Beverley at the Rotunda this week. The play, by virtue of its human note and realism, appealed very strongly to last night’s audiences. The opening scenes are in Namur. Miss Hilda Beverley takes the part of Gretchen Gesner, the spy. Colonel Carruthers is portrayed by Mr. J. L. Inglis. Mention must also be made of Mr. Wallace Black, who, in the role of Private Jim Shallum, gave touches of real comedy. The bioscope shows “The Turtle Doves” and latest war chronicles’ (Liverpool Echo, 2 February 1915).

‘“Remember Belgium,” a new play to be produced the Rotunda Theatre on Monday, is essentially “of the moment.” The action passes in France and Belgium, and there are episodes in the firing line, in a Belgian cottage, in a Calais hospital, and in a cellar living-room’ (Liverpool Echo, 24 April 1915). ‘Last evening the many patrons of [the Rotunda Theatre] saw an exciting war drama entitled, “Remember Belgium!” This play, the production of Mr. Percy Brown, is excellently staged, and is performed by a number of talented artistes. Mr. J. Walton and Mr. A. Elvis [sic – Elvin], who occupy the rôles of Private Rendal [sic] and Colonel Featherstone respectively, are worthy of special mention, and fully merited the great applause which was accorded to them. The remaining parts are well sustained by Miss Effie Dane, Miss Lilia [sic - Lelia] Drummond, and the other members of the company’ (Liverpool Echo, 27 April 1915).

"John Raymond's Daughter," by that prolific young authoress, Miss Eva Elwes, comes to the Rotunda. It is one of those plays in which the hero and heroine "scout convention." There will be a special matinee on Wednesday. ('Liverpool Echo', 5 November 1915, p. 6)

The Stage, 9 December 1915, listed The Unmarried Mother as On Tour from 6 December at the Rotunda, Liverpool.

‘Mr. G. Carlton Wallace is presenting a startling up to-date play entitled The Enemy In Our Midst, at the Rotunda Theatre. The piece deals with the methods used by enemy secret agents. There are also, of course, love and comedy elements. The scenery is splendid, and the representation of The Great Zeppelin Raid in act four is extremely effective. Pictures on the bioscope complete an excellent entertainment - one that must be seen to be appreciated’. Liverpool Echo, 11 January 1916.

Advertised in The Stage, p. 37, 20 January 1916. Mrs. Frank Bateman's Company

Performed during the weeks of 2 August and 7 August by: Harry Tresham (John Hope), Clifford Rean (Robert Charlton), John Burton (Simon Keen), J P Marsden (Tom Tough), J Fulton Millar (Otto Brandt), P Neston (Capt. Johnson), H Webster (Dr Stanton), H Sydney (Pte Brown), Nancy Mitchell (Winnie Wilson), Emma Rainbow (Mrs Maynard), Gabrielle Romero (Mrs Brandt), Winifred Rutland (Isobelle Brandt), Leah Corentez (Elsie Maynard). Described by the Era as 'One of the best which has come from the gifted pen of Miss Elwes' (9 August 1916).

‘A soldier, believed dead, returns from the front to find that his wife has married again. This is the situation set forward in “The Wife With Two Husbands,” which is staged at this house [the Rotunda] this week. Mr. Jerrold Heather and Miss Daisy Cook are prominent in a company which does full justice to an interesting piece'. Liverpool Echo, 15 August 1916.

Performed by Will Casey and company.

Performed for the week, twice nightly at 6.50pm and 9.00pm with a matinee Wednesday at 2.30 pm. Cast included Charles Kean, G. Carlton Wallace, H. Elliott-Ball, F. B. Woulfe, Donovan Maule, Chas McColl, H. Wheatman, Frank Dunlop, Edie Martin, Dora Price, Denise Paule, Molly Hayden, Evelyn Carleton. 'The whole company from top to bottom is excellent. Full 'houses' should be the order for the remainder of the week' (Liverpool Echo, 12 September 1916). 'A large audience received the above play with distinct approval [...] The story is a plainly told and deeply interesting one.' (Era, 13 September 1916)

The Era, 20 September 1916, listed The Little Grey Home in the West as On The Road from 25 September at the Rotunda, Liverpool.

‘Mr. Arthur Hinton’s company presented an entirely new and original drama entitled “The Black Sheep of the Family” (by Gladys Hastings Walton), at the Rotunda last night. The authoress herself is in the cast as Mary Leigh, and the characters of the Black Sheep and Loyale Dare are portrayed by Mr. Arthur Hinton and Miss Ethel Monton, who earn well-merited praise’ (Liverpool Echo, 28 November 1916). ‘“The Black Sheep of the Family” is a domestic drama on a first visit to this city. It is sent by Arthur Hinton, Ltd., and on Monday evening earned considerable acceptance. The outstanding parts were Loyall Dare (Miss Ethel Monton), Lionel Sylvester (Mr. J. Knox-Orde), and Ralph Sylvester (Mr. Arthur Hinton). Included in the cast were Messrs. Chauncy Morris, Roland Willis, Mrs. Henry Gascoigne, Miss Nina Mallam, Miss Gladys Hastings Walton, and Miss Beatrice Annersley’ (The Era, 29 November 1916).

Performed by Messrs Jazon and Montgomery Company

Mentioned in the Liverpool Echo, 9 February 1917, as ‘said to be a thought-giving and strong story’. Also: ‘At the Rotunda last evening, Mr. Oswald Cray presented his latest drama, “The Unmarried Mother,” by Vernon Proctor. Miss Kitty Darling ably portrays the role of the Unmarried Mother, and Mr. J. P. Lallen takes the role of Private Walter Newton, her lover. Mr. Jonty Dewhurst is responsible for the humorous side as Jimmy O’Goblin, a shirker, but later a soldier and a man. The play is in six well-staged scenes, and provides an excellent entertainment’ (Liverpool Echo, 13 February 1917).

Performed for the week by cast including Harry Buss. Other acts on the same bill: McDonagh & Russell, Evelyn Earle, Lal Windham, Clown Gaetano Olloms, Monty Walker, Campbell and Scott.

‘For their second week at the Rotunda the Fortescue Players, a capable company, present on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, “The Rosary,” by John Glendenning … On Thursday and Saturday, “The Black Sheep of the Family” will be presented. It is full of dramatic situations, pathos, and wholesome comedy’ (Liverpool Echo, Friday 8 April 1938). The author of the play is not named, so there is no certainty that it was Gladys Hastings Walton, but no other play with the same title was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.

‘At the Rotunda [next week] the Fortescue Players present two popular plays. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lancashire comedy drama “A Lancashire Lass in London,” by Sydney Sydney. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, another outspoken drama “Neither Wife nor Maid,” by Ernest R. Abbot [sic - Ada Abbott]’. Liverpool Echo, Friday 26 May 1939.