Prince's Theatre, Bradford

"A" Company

‘Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Kimberley’s Co. [are here] in “The Little Grey Home in the West”’. The Era, 18 August 1915.

Mentioned in an advertisement in The Stage, 9 September 1915. Oswald Cray advertised in The Stage, 16 September 1915, that the actual takings at the Prince’s Theatre, Bradford on the Saturday night were £114 1s 6d with his North Company.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

Performed by Leonard Mortimer's company.

'A beautifully staged drama dealing with sea life is provided for the patrons of the Prince’s Theatre this week. Mrs. Frank Bateman and Company are responsible for the production, which is entitled “Somebody Knows Somebody Cares” (by Miss Gladys Hastings Walton). The story is a truly excellent one, whilst the spirit of adventure leads up to several thrilling situations, which create an extraordinary amount of interest. The leading part of “Nell, a waif of the sea,” is undertaken by Mrs. Frank Bateman, who is responsible for the lion’s share of the success of the piece. Her acting throughout is clever, and cannot help but create a favourable impression on the audience. Another character which has been placed in capable hands in that of “Richard Alverstone,” which is ably impersonated by Mr. Fred W. Goddard. He has several difficulties to surmount, and in the end has a lucky escape from death as a result of his would-be murderer killing his own son. The villainous element is of the German agent type, and is well represented by Mr. Charles Adeson, who is assisted by Miss Flora Hastings. Mr. Harry Parker causes an agreeable diversion with some good-natured humour, and other capable members of the cast are Mr. Bert Daniels, Mr. Roy Jackson, and Miss Marion Vyner, who presents a pathetic figure as the blind child. Her rendering of the favourite song, “Somebody knows, somebody cares,” is particularly pleasing’. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 7 April 1916.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

‘A stirring drama, and one very much in keeping with current events should prove a strong attraction at the Prince’s Theatre this week. It is entitled The Enemy In Our Midst, and is from the pen of Mr. G. Carlton Wallace ... Last night there were two large audiences, and considerable interest was evinced in the production. The character of the drama is thoroughly up-to-date in its patriotic sentiment, and abounds with thrilling incidents ... Towards the close of the performance there is a realistic representation of a Zeppelin raid which is excellently arranged as a scenic effect. The monster German invader is seen approaching, but is attacked by an aeroplane and brought to doom’. Bradford Daily Telegraph, 25 April 1916.

‘Fred. J. Little’s company are presenting The Slacker [at the Prince’s, Bradford], in which the interest centres around the villainy of Phil Murket, a character forcibly portrayed by E. Warden. Margaret Frame is a charming Nell Marsden. Flo Bevan gives a sympathetic reading of Eva Steele. Sydney T. Russell is decidedly amusing as Steve Ingersoll, and receives effective support from Pollie Denville as Mattie Steele’. The Stage, 18 May 1916.

This week the play was presented twice nightly. The company included: Charles Locke (his company), Charles Elton Morgan (actor), Clare O’Sullivan (actress), Fred Lillywhite (actor), Gilbert Hall (actor), J. B. Garrickford (sic - actor), Frank Preston (actor).

‘Mr and Mrs. Ernest Vaughan’s company in “The Little Grey Home in the West.” The company includes Mr. Phil Harper, Mr. Frank Eaglesfield, Mr. Ernest Vaughan, Mr. Fred Acton, Mr. Edwin Turner, Mr. Jack Wain, Mr. George Rodney, Little Willie Graham, Miss Mabel Liston, Miss Ada Roscoe, Miss Ellen Beverly, Miss Madge Douglas’ (The Era, 14 June 1916). Also reported in The Stage, 15 June 1916.

‘At the Prince’s Theatre next week a new and original pay entitled “The Black Sheep of the Family” will be presented by Mr. Arthur Hinton’s company. The cast includes Miss Ethel Monton, who plays the part of “Loyal Dare,” an American heiress, and Mr. Hinton himself pourtrays [sic] “Ralph Sylvester,” the “Black Sheep.” The story of the play is by Miss Gladys Hastings Walton, and abounds in strong situations It also has a vein of sparkling comedy running through it. The play has been a big success in London and the provinces. All scenery and effects are travelled; in fact it is described as “some” show’. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 28 July 1916.

‘A play, the plot of which rests on a hypothetical war problem of peculiar interest, is being introduced to the patrons of the Prince’s Theatre this week. It is entitled “The Wife With Two Husbands,” and comes from the pen of C. Vernon Proctor, who is competent to convey popular sentiment on subjects which are usually described as “delicate.” Certainly the audiences last night signified their approval in the heartiest fashion. It is not unlikely that after the war many strange domestic tragedies will come to light, but surely imagination could not conceive a more terrible situation than that of the woman who, believing her husband to have fallen in battle, marries again, and then finds she has committed bigamy ... Of course, there is a pleasant finale'. Bradford Daily Telegraph, 5 September 1916.

Performed for the week.

‘Miss Emma Litchfield’s company [at the Prince’s Theatre, Bradford] in “Home Once More.” The company includes Messrs. Conrad E. Stratford, Geoffrey Chate, Lionel Balmont, Tom H. Solly, Wm. Barrett, Chas. Edwards, Misses Edith Giddings, Lily Livesey, Emma Litchfield’ (The Era, 13 December 1916). ‘“Home Once More” is the tile of the play which is being staged this week at the Prince’s Theatre by Miss Emma Litchfield’s company. The play, which is from the pen of Miss Litchfield, is up-to-date and contains the necessary military and naval touches to make it popular for the times. It has a breezy atmosphere of sea life, and the stirring action thrills the audience. A tender love-story is told, leading up to the happy consummation the title suggests. Misunderstandings are caused by a mischievous women, who, after sustaining mortal injuries in a motor accident, makes full reparation, and dies when the word “forgiveness” has been uttered by the woman she has wronged. There is a particularly [???] feeling displayed in the last scene, where the lovers are reunited. and where “Tommy” and “Jack” come “Home Once More"' (Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 15 December 1916).

‘Bradford Amusements. A patriotic drama, entitled For Motherland, is presented by Mr. Charles Locke at the Prince’s Theatre’ (Leeds Mercury, 5 June 1917).

‘"His Last Leave," which is being produced at the Princes Theatre week by Mr. Will H. Glaze's company, is one of the most realistic plays which has been staged of late. As the title implies, it deals with the great war, and while it is at a powerful human story of love, jealousy, and hate, the passage of patriotism are strongly marked, and the audience showed their approval of it by frequent outbursts of applause ... There are thrilling situations on the battle-field most realistically staged, particularly one fine scene in a dressing station behind the trenches. In the end the schemes of the villain are baulked and true love triumphs, and all is happiness'. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 22 June 1917.

Performed by Frank Bateman and company with Mrs Bateman in the lead role.

Performed for one week.

‘A topical subject is dealt with this week at the Prince’s Theatre, the title of the piece presented being “Back to Wife and Blighty.” It is the question of the soldier reported killed in action who returns home to find wife has presumed his death and married another. The story has been admirably written by Mr. G. Vernon Proctor. and the play met with a most cordial reception last night. Mr. G. Raymond Wallace makes a typical soldier, and Miss Muriel Monteath makes the best of the difficult part of the wife. The other principal parts are admirably sustained by Miss Vera Grafton, Miss Heather Hugh, Miss M. Nelson Ramsay, and Mr. J. Wilton Richards’. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, Friday 12 October 1917.

‘A strong attraction is provided at the Prince’s Theatre this week. The play, which is thoroughly up-to-date, is entitled “Blackmail,” and is presented by a capable company organised by Mr. Will H. Glaze. All the element’ of intrigue and scheming incidental to the life of a blackmailer are strikingly portrayed, and the story is fascinating from start to finish. There is the usual love tangles, but the story has been written in such a way as to bring it into line with modern idea. There is a deep human interest about the whole performance that is intensely absorbing. Mr. Harry Tresham, as the squire, who is the victim of the blackmailer, is particularly well adapted to the part, and brings to it an atmosphere which is distinctly good. Miss Nita Langford, as his wife, is equally successful. Mr. Chas. Yorke gives a very fine representation of the blackmailer, and other capable artistes are Mr. Chas. E. Johnson, Miss Renee Bevan, Mr. R. Wilson, and Miss Eva Alliston’. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 16 November 1917.

Performers: Dot Stephens Co

The Era, 1 May 1918, noted ‘Mr. Oswald Cray’s company in “The Man Who Made Good”‘ at the Prince’s, Bradford.

Performed here from 6-11 May.

The Era, 15 May 1918, listed For Sweethearts and Wives as On The Road from 13 May at the Pns., Bradford.

Listed in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 24 June 1918.

The Era, 19 June 1918, listed The Man Who Made Good as On The Road from 24 June at the Pns., Bradford.

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.

When Joseph Millane’s Companies advertised in The Stage, 3 October 1918, for theatres for 'Love, Honour and The Woman', the contact was Vincent W. Carlyle at the Prince’s, Bradford. But performing what? The following week the company performed Clifford Rean's 'Duty and the Girl' at the Theatre Royal, Leeds (Yorkshire Evening Post, 8 October 1918).

Mentioned in The Stage, 17 October 1918.

Miss Elwes is a dignified Madame Tora. ('The Stage', 31 October 1918, p. 8)

Performed 4-9 November. Though only of recent production, every town already visited has testified its approval of the work by crowding the theatres nightly. Mr. Edmonds is a man of many parts, for in addition to playing the leading character, he is the author of the piece, and from his facile pen has flowed such well known successes as It is fully expected that the Bradford public will endorse the favourable verdict pronounced by the other towns' (Bradford Daily Telegraph, 2 November 1918)

Venue and date mentioned in an advertisement in The Era, 18 September 1918. It is The Broken Trail that is listed as on tour at P’s., Bradford from 25 November in the Stage, 21 and 28 November 1918.

The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 2 December 1915, included The Black Sheep of the Family at the Prince’s Theatre, Bradford in a list of events that day. When Arthur Hinton advertised in The Stage, 5 December 1918 for theatres for The Black Sheep of the Family his address was the Prince’s, Bradford.

This is the licensed performance.

Performers: Edward H Hobart (actor), Horace L Wheatley (actor), Richard Cowell (actor), Terry Davies (actor), Newton Pierce (actor), Brennan Glee Party. Reviews: "Denville's production of 'Reported Missing' is causing much interest here. Dorothy Hildebrand in the part of Mary Meredith is the moving spirit of the play.", The Stage

A Soldier's Divorce (Yorkshire Evening Post - Saturday 10 May 1919)

‘[At the Prince’s, Bradford] “On Leave for His Wedding” is a war play full of thrills and realism. J. Ferguson Rawlins plays admirably the part of an army captain who has lost his sight. Carrie Godfrey makes a sympathetic nurse. Walter Humphries plays a thankless character with much force, and Stella Cearon [sic - Cedron] is effective as a scheming adventuress’. The Stage, 22 May 1919.

‘The Terence Byron Repertory company are presenting yet another of Sir James Barrie’s delightful fantasies in “A Kiss foe Cinderella.” The play is particularly well mounted, considering it is given for only a week’s duration, and the whimsical ballroom scene is a great success. Marjorie McEwan plays the part of Cinderella, and adds to the good opinion she has created during recent months. Thomas Reynor is as good as ever in the role of the Policeman, and it is upon these two that the bulk of the work falls. John Blake and Isla Garnet-Vayne are good as the King and Queen, and the other parts are well presented’. The Stage, 3 January 1935.

An entirely new version performed by Phyllis Neilson-Terry, Tod Slaughter and Percy Hutchison.