Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
N/A The Adventures of Mrs May No. 3. A Suitor to suit 'er Unknown
4 Jan 1914 We'll Learn 'Em Unknown
28 Jun 1915 In the Hands of the Hun [In the Hands of the Huns] Professional
12 Mar 1917 Pass on Please Unknown
4 Jun 1917 The Man Who Stayed At Home Professional
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‘The Man Who Stayed At Home ... Before 1914 the plain matter-of-fact person smiled with superior scepticism at stories of espionage, with their weird mechanism, the wiles of adventuresses entrapping by their physical charms young officers possessing State documents. But now we know the novelist’s inventions to be no more weird than those of Hun engineers and chemists. Amid all its ingenuities and dramatic surprises, the play contrives throughout to be a comedy, and in that and other respects it is quite entertaining. Mr. Taylor Platt’s company is an excellent one, which will appear twice nightly next week at the Palace Theatre, Maidstone’ (Maidstone Telegraph, 2 June 1917). ‘There is little wonder that big houses are being attracted to the Palace Theatre this week, seeing that Mr. E. Taylor’s talented company is presenting the exciting and amusing piece, “The Man who Stayed at Home,” which deals with the much discussed question of foreign spies at our coastal towns ... It is an exciting story, admirably portrayed, and some of the more thrilling scenes include the discovery of a wireless telegraphic apparatus behind the fireplace, some realistic signalling from the balcony to ships out at sea, and the finding of a case containing an incendiary bomb. Mr. Clifford Marle gives a fine interpretation of Brent, who sees the funny side of everything, and must always have his joke. He is supported by artistes all of whom are exceptionally good' (Maidstone Telegraph, 9 June 1917).
8 Jul 1918 His Last Leave Professional
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Advertised in the South Eastern Gazette, 9 July 1918, presented by Mr. Will Glaze: ‘A Play which makes everyone think’. Also: '‘Occurrences on the Western Front have a wonderful attraction for the people at home, and some very realistic scenes are being introduced at the Palace Theatre this week, where Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company is presenting “His Last Leave,” by Mr. Clifford Rean. Produced under the direction of Mr. F. E. Chabot, the play is one of absorbing interest in which human nature is seen at its best as well as at its worst. The absence of those questionable incidents which usually characterise this style of story is specially to be commended, but it would be in better taste perhaps if the singing of “Jesu, lover of my soul” were omitted. However, the plot is largely concerned with the Front, and the audience see our Tommies in a dug-out with German prisoners; they hear the battle, with shells exploding and guns banging, outside; they witness unexampled bravery in the rescue of wounded in No Man’s Land, and finally are introduced to a dressing station behind the trenches with work in full progress' (Maidstone Telegraph, 13 July 1918). And: '‘A realistic glimpse of the great war has just been presented at the Palace Theatre, in Clifford Rean’s romantic play, “His Last Leave,” by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company, directed by F. E. Chabot. Two of the scenes are laid on a very lively sector of the Western Front. The first takes the audience right into a dug-out on the night of an expected raid, with its atmosphere of tense excitement, which breaks into heroic glory of going over the top amidst the storm of bursting shell' (South Eastern Gazette, 16 July 1918).
23 Sep 1918 Real Sports Professional
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‘At the Palace Theatre last week, Arthur Rosebery presented this cheery and cheerful sporting and patriotic revue, “Real Sports,” with full operatic chorus of Waacs, Wrens, flower girls, nurses, munitioners, Penguins, soldiers,. sailors, and every other sort of sports. Sergt.-Major Bob Breeze, of the Palace of Harmony, home from the Front, starts a search for the lottery ticket he has sent to his wife, who has loaned it to someone else, who sewed it up in a fancy dress, returned to costumiers. At Willie Clarkson’s Emporium, Bob Breeze becomes Cupid and practises the art of love-making. On gala night, outside Covent Carden Opera House, a striking patriotic scene is presented by some of the Boys of the Old Brigade. At and frame up for a duel which never comes off [sic]. Realistic scenes are next presented of the Victory Ball, a Russian count and a British officer quarrel over a French girl spy, the paddock at Epsom and the famous Downs on the day of the race for the Victory Derby. The big race gives riches and matrimonial happiness to a sprightly young couple and frustrates the schemes of the wicked count. The music by Ernest Vousden and lyrics by Leslie Hawkins and Ernest Vousden are a very pleasing feature of this novel revue’ (South Eastern Gazette, 1 October 1918).
3 Feb 1919 Love And The Law Professional
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The Stanley Carlton Companies advertised in The Era, 29 January 1919, for a ‘Tall Gentleman, for straight character part, Policeman; open Monday, Maidstone’ in Love and The Law. Mr. George Gordon, ‘rehearsing Heavy Lead in new production, Love and The Law’, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 30 January 1919; his address for the following week was the Palace, Maidstone. The Stanley Carlton Companies advertised in The Era, 12 February 1919: ‘Produced last week at Palace Theatre, Maidstone, an entirely new play – “Love and the Law” By Charles Darrell. And played to £413 13s. 9d. on the week. Six nights only, in spite of blizzards. The one and only way to judge a success is by the pay box. Money talks. Judging by the first week’s result of this Play (production week) it going to be another “White Slaves of London,” which is now in its Eleventh Year of tour ... Very many thanks to the 27 Managers who booked the Play, “Love and the Law,” before production. I don’t tell you the Play is a success, but the pay box does. Everything carried and all new for this production’.
23 Aug 1920 Seven Days Leave Professional
25 Oct 1920 The Amorist Professional