Ambassadors, London

Performed by a mixed cast of French, Belgian and British actors. Reviews were mixed and the sketch was replaced from Monday 2 November by Harry Grattan's 'The Plumbers'. 'The incidents of which were far too near certain hideous realities of the hour to be suitable, as yet, for presentation in a theatre' (Pall Mall Gazette, 17 October 1914) 'Of the triple bill on which Mr. C. B. Cochran is relying the Ambassadors', supported by a company made up French. Belgian, and English performers, the most topical item, From Louvain” is the most negligible. Not even the good acting Miss Esme Beringer and Mr Tresahar can make M. E. Young’s would-be horrors convincing' (Illustrated London News, 24 October 1914). 'Although the war episode [...] was well written and capably acted, we hold that this kind of play is not wanted just now. The theatre's chief purpose is to take us out of ourselves and to offer some relief from war's obsession. 'From Louvain' with its story of death and desolation, simply brings the newspaper into the theatre, and that is just what we do not want.' (Globe, 17 October 1914)

Performed on the first night of a 'British-French-Belgian' season produced by Charles Cochrane at the Ambassadors. A mixed programme including an English and a French play alongside 'Odds and Ends' 'in which Mr Harry Grattan, the inventor, managed to utilise the services of every member of the company - and proved an enjoyable affair' (Globe, 17 October 1914). It included dancing by Joan Carroll; a series of turns supposed to be represented by hosts and refugees at the Theatre Royal Back Drawing Room; a scene in which an old French sailor tells 'young France' what homeland and honour mean; the singing of Your King and Country Need you' by Mdlle Delysia, as La Belle France; imitations of Lily Brayton; a scene showing French and British men in the trenches; a 'disrobing' pantomime by Delysia; and 8 Grecian Maids dancing.

Performed prior to 'Odds and Ends'

Performed by the Japanese company of Madame Hanako. The set was also painted by the company.

This was the delayed premiere of the play. On 28 October a 'second edition' of the play replaced the first.

Lady Quill's Gossip. Mr Marconi looking very well and in good spirits was at the Verdun matinee at the Ambassadors, and applauded vigorously an excellent little sketch written by Comte Gaston de Ravenal and Dr. Campbell McClure. It was called "Verdun le Brave," and it made one think in the way that brings a choking in the throat and a mistiness to the eyes. The proceeds of the matinee are to be sent to General de Castelnau to buy comforts for his men, those brave men who have held out against Germany's most frantic efforts to batter them to defeat. Vive Verdun. (Weekly Dispatch (London) Sunday 30 July 1916)

The show ran at the Ambassadors' Theatre until 28th June 1919. The cast included Lee White, Clay Smith, Bert Coote, Bob Cory, Monte Wolfe, Betty (child actress) and The Eclair Twins (duettists).

Described in The Stage Yearbook 1919 as a "song-show, songs written and selected by Clay Smith, R. P. Weston, Bert Lee and others, staged by J.W. Jackson."

Performed for three weeks only prior to Martin-Harvey's Canadian tour.