Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
N/A Cinderella Unknown
23 Dec 1914 Cinderella Unknown
8 Mar 1915 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
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"A" Company
15 Mar 1915 War and a Woman [Women and War] Professional
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'It is a difficult and thankless task to attempt to make the war more thrilling than it actually is but that it is possible successfully to use it as a background for engrossing drama is shown in the play presented at the Leeds Theatre Royal, this week [...] tells a story which in many details possesses the verisimilitude of contemporary history [...] the brave officer who defeats their machinations is a character that would make an irresistible appeal to the patriotic instincts of any loyal audience. (Era, 24 March 1915) NB. The Era has confused the dates of the performance as it was at Leeds 15-20 March.
5 Apr 1915 His Mother's Rosary Professional
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Will Glaze's Company often performed in two different places on the same nights.
6 Jul 1915 In Time of War Professional
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In view of present events, "In Time of War," which is being presented at the Theatre Royal this week, will be found interesting. The piece, which is produced by Mr. C. Watson Mill's company, deals with the German spy system, and is thoroughly up to date. On the whole the acting is good. Mr. C. Watson Mill makes an excellent captain, while Mr. H. Scaddon played the part of a German spy with ability. Others who acquitted themselves well were Mr. Paul Neville as a British officer, and Miss Lydia Audre, who as the heroine acted with success. Mr.H. A. Whitmee and Mr. G. Chato were responsible for the comedy. The piece, which was well received last night, is admirably presented, three of the scenes being very realistic. Leeds Mercury - Tuesday 06 July 1915
12 Jul 1915 Somewhere A Voice Is Calling Professional
20 Sep 1915 Mary from Tipperary Professional
4 Oct 1915 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Discipline, like many other methods of regulating principle, is only applicable to the domestic hearth in limited measure, and not when it approaches harsh and pitiless severity of manner, if it is to be advantageous as a governing factor. Such is the intended lesson of "John Raymond's Daughter" at the Theatre Royal this week. ('Yorkshire Evening Post, 5 October 1915, p. 3) Performed twice nightly and matinee on Tuesday
15 Nov 1915 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Era, 17 November 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (North) as On The Road from 15 November at the T.R., Leeds. Also The Stage, 11 and 18 November 1915.
22 Nov 1915 Confessions of a Wife Unknown
22 Nov 1915 In the Hands of the Hun [In the Hands of the Huns] Professional
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'Performed under the title 'The Princess and the Soldier'
23 Dec 1915 Robinson Crusoe Unknown
20 Mar 1916 The Story of the Angelus Professional
27 Mar 1916 The Soldier Priest Professional
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Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.
3 Apr 1916 When Love Creeps In Your Heart Professional
8 May 1916 The Sunshine of Paradise Alley Professional
16 May 1916 Brave Women Who Wait Professional
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Twice nightly. The play "Brave women who wait" at the Theatre Royal is a mixture of domestic and war troubles, with a somewhat sordid flavour. A villain who shirks the Army, has an illicit passion for the innocent heroine, and to ensnare the girl, deludes her husband into the belief that she has not been true to him while he has been away fighting in France. Of course, everything comes right in the end. Incidentally, the one touch of originality comes at the finish of the story. Instead of murders, suicides or the other popular methods of removing the bad man of the piece, the villain announces his intention to go abroad, and the villainess, his cut-off lover, vows to hang on and haunt him to the ends of the earth - a punishment which fits the crime and is quite the best fate the authoress could possibly have invented. There is nothing sparkling about the humour of the piece, and the dialogue drags a little occasionally. (Yorkshire Evening Post, 16th May 1916).
29 May 1916 The Woman Pays - Back Professional
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Twice nightly. Matinee on Tuesday. A heroine who scarcely attains the customary exalted pinnacle of virtue, and who has a good deal of the spitfire in her nature, is a novelty in melodrama, and this and other touches of originality make the play, "The Woman Pays - Back," quite an acceptable piece. ... The authoress, however, does not get completely away from the commonplace lines of a certain type of melodrama, and she relies upon such old material as the theft of jewels, blackmail, fraud, and other treachery as a setting for the story.... How [the young girl] pays back her betrayer, is quite an exciting chapter. ('Yorkshire Evening Post', 30 May 1916, p. 3)
5 Jun 1916 The Slacker Professional
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‘An amusing burlesque of the cinema dramatic film is quite the best part the play, “The Slacker” - a piece with strong emotional qualities, which will make an effective appeal to the patrons of the Theatre Royal, this week. The burlesque is part of the work of the light comedy couple who generally figure in the cast of the conventional melodrama. The comical eccentricity of the maiden in this case is a passion for the cinema, and she frequently startles her lover by dramatically reciting parts of stories of the “clutching hand,” and Broncho Billy type. She longs to be loved by a man who will bury her in an ice-chest, spirit her away to the Wild West, and treat her to other such exciting times. To turn the tables, he assumes the disguise of a member of the clutching-hand gang, and visits the young lady. Her terror when the black clutching hand appears through a half-closed door, and the subsequent scene between her and the disguised one, is screamingly funny. Another little scene of considerable merit is one in which an old couple who have been brought to the workhouse by the vicissitudes the plot, meet in a cottage on their afternoon out. Their quiet homely conversation is very real and pathetic, without overacting or any approach to bathos’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 6 June 1916).
12 Jun 1916 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
14 Aug 1916 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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‘A topic of which we heard a good deal at one time is revived in the play, “The Unmarried Mother,” presented at the Theatre Royal. It is not one of the happiest of subjects, but a capable company present it in an admirable manner' (Leeds Mercury, 15 August 1916). ‘As might be imagined from the title, the subject of “The Unmarried Mother,” which is at the Theatre Royal, is not one of the happiest, and while it may be in a sense topical, one can scarcely agree with the statement of the programme that it is the burning question of the day. The drama is certainly brought up to date, for in one scene we have the young mother doing war work. Whatever may be said of the subject matter, there is no mistaking the capabilities of the company’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 15 August 1916).
21 Aug 1916 His Mother's Rosary Professional
28 Aug 1916 The Wife With Two Husbands Professional
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‘“The Wife With Two Husbands,” a play which is paying its first visit to Leeds, is the attraction at the Theatre Royal. Mr. Oswald Gray [sic – Cray] is responsible for the presentation of the play, which contains strong dramatic scenes of a military flavour. The story concerns the second marriage of a soldier’s wife while her husband, who is reported killed, is fighting in the trenches, and later turns to find that his wife is married for a second time. As the soldier, Mr. Jerrold Heather makes an admirable hero; while Miss Daisy Cook, in the title role, was a distinct success. The other characters are capably sustained’. Leeds Mercury, 29 August 1916.
11 Sep 1916 Heaven at The Helm Professional
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'There is war in abundance in this piece' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 12 September 1916)
25 Sep 1916 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘A new drama entitled “The Black Sheep of the Family” is presented at the Theatre Royal by Messrs. Hinton’s company, and last night its humour and pathos won general praise. The story deals with the waywardness of the Hon. Ralph Sylvester, the “black sheep” of the family, who, after going through many vicissitudes, makes good. There are several exciting incidents. The leading characters are in capable hands. Mr. Arthur Hinton, in the title role, is a distinct success; and Miss Ethel Monton plays the part of the heroine in an attractive manner. Mr. Chauncy Morris sustains the part of Lord Arlington [sic] in an able manner’ (Leeds Mercury, 26 September 1916). ‘Well staged and well played, the drama, “The Black Sheep of the Family,” produced at the Theatre Royal this week, mainly concerns two brothers, the sons of a peer. The younger, the real rascal, is held up by his parents as a paragon of virtue, whilst the other is not half so black as they paint him. The heir to the title shoulders many of his brother’s wrong doings and goes into exile. There are episodes of life among New York hooligans and cut-throats, and then he hies him to France, under an assumed name, to earn in battle the inevitable distinction and a shattered arm. The leading characters are all in capable hands’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 26 September 1916).
4 Dec 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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‘Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vaughan’s company is pleasing Royal patrons with a fine representation of “The Little Grey Home in the West.” A strong company has been engaged, including Miss Madge Douglas as Peggy, and Mr. Ernest Vaughan as Dick Bryant. Others supporting them are Frank Eaglesfield, Fred Beckett, Fred Acton, Evan Roland, Miss Mabel Liston, Miss Ada Roscoe, and Miss Ellen Beverley’. The Era, 6 December 1916.
5 Mar 1917 The Cottage Girl Professional
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Eva Elwes's company performed with Elwes playing the role of Ada Stack achieving 'something of a triumph in a rather difficult part'. ('The Stage', 8 March 1917) Two performances per night and matinee on Tuesday
9 Apr 1917 Should a Woman Forgive? Professional
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Performed by Will Casey and company.
30 May 1917 A Theatrical Marriage Unknown
11 Jun 1917 Within Our Gates [For Motherland] Professional
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‘For Motherland, which is being staged at the Royal for the first time in Leeds, is a spy play, and the author, Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, has chosen those tense days our history, Aug. 4 and 5, 1914, and the mysterious chamber of a turreted mansion near the all-important port of Dover, for the time and the background of her melodrama' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 12 June 1917). ‘A play of great power and interest to old and young is The Motherland, by Miss Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, which is being presented by Mr. Charles Locke and an excellent company at the Theatre Royal this week. Being a comparatively new production—this is the first time it has been staged in Leeds—and what tends to make it so strong and interesting is the fact that the action the play takes place during those fateful days of August 4th and 5th, 1914. It deals with the work of the German Secret Service, and shows how the spys (sic) are trapped by the loyalty and devotion of the English for their country' (Leeds Mercury, 12 June 1917).
2 Jul 1917 Honour the Man You Wed Professional
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Will Glaze's No. 1 Co. One of the most successful plays written by Miss Eva Elwes... it is a gripping story... ('Leeds Mercury', 3 July 1917)
20 Aug 1917 His Last Leave Professional
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‘“His Last Leave,” at the Theatre Royal, is a drama of the moment, and because of that will doubtless prove more popular than the drama old-style. Khaki envelops hero, villain, funny men, and even the wicked woman of the piece is in the uniform of a nurse. The scenes include a dug-out, No Man’s Land, and a casualty clearing station, and the bulk of the conversation is plentifully strewed with little war speeches, which bring out a lot of applause. Of its kind the production is good’ (Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 21 August 1917). ‘“His Last Leave,” which Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company presents at the Theatre Royal, is an up-to-date play of the war, with realistic scenes of the struggle “Somewhere in France.” The hero is a soldier who is estranged from his wife by the wickedness of another woman, whose passion for him failed to make an impression. Humour is provided by two more soldiers, and the play makes a popular appeal. Mr. James Hart wins sympathy as the soldier hero, and Miss Lilian Fenn is an acceptable heroine’ (Leeds Mercury, 21 August 1917).
3 Sep 1917 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Twice nightly, matinee on Tuesday. 'The author has displayed some originality in the weaving of the plot, and she makes the heroine's path pretty thorny before she reaches the customary happy ending.' ('Yorkshire Evening Post', 4 September 1917, p. 2)
5 Nov 1917 Blackmail [The Voice on the 'Phone] Professional
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‘A powerful domestic play, entitled “Blackmail,” is the attraction at the Theatre Royal this week. It is capably presented by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company, and Mr. Harry Tresham and Miss Nita Langford sustain the leading characters with much success’ (Leeds Mercury, 6 November 1917). ‘Will Glaze’s company are here [the Royal Leeds) in “Blackmail,” a drama which makes a ready appeal. Harry Tresham acts with fine discretion as Sir Charles Inglemere, whilst a manly account of the son is given by Will Scotton. Eva Alliston plays with fervour and charm as Dorothy, and a well-thought-out study of Lady Inglemere is given by Nita Langford’ (The Stage, 8 November 1917).
3 Dec 1917 The Spirit of the Empire Professional
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Performed for one week.
22 Dec 1917 Dick Whittington Unknown
29 Apr 1918 When The Joy Bells Are Ringing Professional
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The play was performed here between 29 April and 4 May. The cast included: Alfred D. Adams (actor), Mr. George Gormley (actor), Hilary Burleigh (actress). A review in the 'Yorkshire Evening Post' (30 April 1918) commented that ‘[A] military drama occupies the boards at the Theatre Royal, and while 'When The Joy Bells Are Ringing' contains many stirring scenes, the plot is at times somewhat overdrawn. It is rather difficult, for example, to swallow the episode of the enterprising inspector of police who "camouflaged" as a typical "Ole Bill", is enabled by the thoughtful connivance of the military authorities, to continue the chase of a couple of “crooks” right up to the battle line’.
20 May 1918 Married on Leave Professional
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This performance (theatre and start date) is included in a list of previous performances of “Married on Leave” in The Stage of Thursday 1 August 1918. The Leeds Mercury of Tuesday 21 May 1918 reported, ‘The [Whitsuntide] holiday attraction of the Theatre Royal - “Married on Leave”, featuring Miss Dorothy Mullord - delighted large audiences last night. The play is a recent production by Lew Lake, and is a military drama of sound merit’. Advertisements in the newspaper said that the play would be performed twice nightly for six nights with no mention of a matinée. The Yorkshire Evening Post of Tuesday 21 May 1918 reported, ‘The military interest … pervades “Married on Leave” which Miss Dorothy Mullord presents with a capable company at the Theatre Royal, herself taking a leading part. The dramatic situations in the piece are well contrived, and one of the features is a fight in the air’. The Stage of Thursday 23 May 1918 reported that at the Theatre Royal, Leeds ‘The holiday programme … is the drama, Married on Leave. The company are Lew Lake’s, with the authoress Dorothy Mullord as the heroine. Captain Marlowe has a manly representation in Royce Carlton, whose fine elocution called forth applause’.
17 Jun 1918 The Man Who Made Good Professional
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‘At the Theatre Royal the attraction is an up-to-date drama, entitled “The Man Who Made Good,” presented by Mr. Oswald Cray’s Company’. Leeds Mercury, 18June 1918. Also noted in The Stage, 20 June 1918: ‘drawing good business’.
24 Jun 1918 The Girl Who Changed Her Mind Professional
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Advertised in the Leeds Mercury, 17 June 1918, and in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 29 June 1918.
1 Jul 1918 For Those in Peril on the Sea [A Son of the Sea] Professional
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‘“A Son of the Sea,” a play possessing appealing elements and excellent comedy, is presented at the Theatre Royal by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, who carry it through with good dramatic effect’. Leeds Mercury, 2 July 1918.
22 Jul 1918 His Last Leave Professional
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‘There was no lack of thrill and incident in the war play, “His Last Leave,” presented by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, at the Theatre Royal, and large audiences at both houses last night were unusually enthusiastic’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 23 July 1918). ‘The entertaining military drama, “His Last Leave,” is presented at the Theatre Royal by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company. The play possesses several stirring incidents and a good vein of comedy. The various characters are admirably impersonated, and the piece is well staged’ (Leeds Mercury, 23 July 1918).
5 Aug 1918 Back to the Wife and Home [Home from the Trenches] Professional
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‘“Home from the Trenches” is being staged at the Theatre Royal - twice nightly. No title could better indicate the sort of fare to be expected. Corporal Dennison (Mr. Wilfrid Launceston) makes a most dramatic entry when the machinations of the villain are reaching the climax. There is realism in the soldier’s get-up. You might, indeed, imagine that it was the real thing, mud and all. He comes just in time to save the good name of his wife, and keep the happy home intact; and the discomfiture of the scheming stay-at-home makes delightful hilarity for the crowd, who always love to see virtue triumphant’. Yorkshire Post, 6 August 1918. ‘“Home from the Trenches”, a new war play drama, presented at the Theatre Royal by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, is well furnished with incidents both stirring and pathetic’. Yorkshire Evening Post, 6 August 1918.
12 Aug 1918 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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Advertised in the Leeds Mercury, 12 August 1918, as ‘Oswald Cray’s Problem Drama’. ‘At the Theatre Royal “The Unmarried Mother” pays a return visit, and the many powerful situations are capably interpreted by Mr. Oswald Cray’s Company. Miss Dora Weber and Mr. Frank V. Fenn take the leading parts with much success’ (Leeds Mercury, 13 August 1918).
7 Oct 1918 Duty - and the Girl Professional
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Advertised in the Leeds Mercury, 7 October 1918, as ‘Jos. Millane’s Up-to-date Drama’. Also: ‘“Duty and the Girl,” at the Theatre Royal, is a topical military play combining low comedy and high sentiment in admirable proportions. It would be better if some of the double entendres were cut out. Miss Florence Churchill plays with considerable power as the sister of the undutiful wife, whose husband’s life she sets out to save in an exalted spirit of self-sacrifice. The wounded hero’s part is played by Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, a discharged soldier’. Yorkshire Evening Post, 8 October 1918.
21 Oct 1918 Back From Overseas Professional
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Back From Overseas is advertised with no mention of The Broken Trail in the Leeds Mercury and the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 14 and 15 October 1918. Back From Overseas is listed as on tour at the R., Leeds from 21 October in the Stage, 17 October 1918. ‘“Back from Overseas,” the drama at the Theatre Royal, is one of the many spy plays prompted by the war situation. The spy is one Carl Meyer, a naturalised Englishman, who, to attain his objects, goes even as far as theft of the heroine’s “ring paper.” Miss Maud Warburton is a convincing heroine, and Mr. Wilson Howard acts with rare manliness as an honest and straightforward British Tommy’. Yorkshire Evening Post, 22 October 1918. ‘A play in which the author himself appears generally goes well, and “Back from Overseas,” which is produced at the Theatre Royal, is no exception. It deals with the work of the enemy secret service agents in a dramatic manner. Mr. Wilson Howard, in the part of Private Tom Brown, makes a manly soldier; and Miss Maud Warburton achieves success as the heroine. The piece possesses a good vein of comedy’. Leeds Mercury, 22 October 1918. The Broken Trail is listed as on tour at the R., Leeds from 28 October in the Stage, 31 October 1918.
4 Nov 1918 Love's Young Dream Professional
18 Nov 1918 On Leave For His Wedding Professional
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'Another war-play is at the Theatre Royal. “On Leave for his Wedding,” which is from the pen of the author of “His Last Leave,” opens with a rare tangle which the two villains of the piece, a married couple, contrive in order that the lady may marry and secure the fortune of the wealthy hero. The play is confidently presented by a capable company, which includes Mr. Edward F. Furneau, Mr. Walter Humphries, Miss Stella Cedron, and Miss Carrie Geofrey [sic- Godfrey]. The details of the production leave much to be desired. The hero, a captain, wears the uniform of a major, the villain, also a captain, wears the uniform of a lieutenant, and into the scene depicting front-line trenches there wander a W.A.A.C., a chaplain in “slacks,” and several soldiers, who, apparently, do not possess shrapnel helmets, rifles, or respirators’. Leeds Mercury, 19 November 1918.
9 Dec 1918 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘At the Theatre Royal the attraction is “The Black Sheep of the Family,” which is a variant of the old story of the prodigal son with new and original features. Briefly, the plot concerns the attempt of the younger son of a peer to get the title. The “black sheep” is the elder son, a part played with distinction by Mr. Arthur Hinton, who is supported by a strong company’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 10 December 1918). ‘The autumn season at the Theatre Royal is wound up well by Mr. Arthur Hinton’s company in “The Black Sheep of the Family.” The mediocre title covers a good play, presented by a capable company, which includes Mr. Hinton as the black sheep, who is not so black as he is painted by various interested persons. On the battlefield he makes atonement for an early lapse, and all ends happily. The scoundrels of the piece are well presented by Mr. Joe Worth and Mr. Leslie Steward and Misses Peggy Courtenay, Kitty Bailey, Ethel Monton, and Laura Wright play with sympathy. On Friday evening the company will present “The Sorrows of Satan”‘ (Leeds Mercury, 10 December 1918).
23 Dec 1918 Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood Unknown
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This is the licensed performance.
21 Apr 1919 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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Performed 21-26 April. ‘There is [a] villain in Coming Home, at the Theatre Royal, a German spy, true to stage type, but his villainy is only a side-line. The Pharisee with his broad dialect – is it Yorkshire Lancashire, the way? - and vulgar display of new-gained wealth and social standing, is the arresting figure in the play. Plentiful comedy and witty and clever exchanges between the Pharisee and the hero, a gentleman ranker billeted the former’s house, raise the play well above the level its kind. With strong effect in his declamatory passages, and a happy knack of avoiding anti-climax by a quick change to comedy and whimsicality, Mr. Vivian Edmonds, the author and producer of the play, fills the part of the hero the capably’. (Yorkshire Evening Post, 22 April 1919)
2 Jun 1919 The Girl Who Changed Her Mind Professional
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‘A war play, entitled “The Girl Who Changed her Mind,” is staged at the Theatre Royal this week. Miss Pauline Manton makes an admirable heroine, and Mr. E. H. [i.e. Howell] Webb an equally capable villain. There is a racing interest which will make the play doubly interesting to lovers of the Turf'. Leeds Mercury, 3 June 1919.
29 Jul 1919 La Flambee Professional
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Performers: Cecile Barclay, Rupert Lister
22 Nov 1920 Seven Days Leave Professional
2 Oct 1939 The Luck Of The Navy Professional
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Performed by the Arthur Brough Players.