Great War Theatre

Address: Boscombe, Bournemouth, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
N/A Passing Events Unknown
2 Nov 1914 Beauties Unknown
26 Apr 1915 My Artful Wife Unknown
17 May 1915 Passing Events Professional
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Really the revue habit is becoming extremely exigent. For example the cry is still they come. Next Monday at the Boscombe Hippodrome Mr. Harry Day will present his latest and greatest revue Passing Events. It is written by Mr. R.H. Douglass, the principal comedian and author, with music by Signor Leon Cavallo, the production in its entirety being be Mr. Edward Lauri. It has been proved better and more sanely written, fuller of funny lines, and of amusing episodes etc. than many productions of its kind. There is a distinct semblance and story embracing a plot to kidnap a little boy heir and instead the abduction occurs of the plotting uncle, who has disguised himself as Little Lord Fauntleroy in order that he may attend the inevitable fancy dress ball. There is moreover a kind of love interest mixing up a beautiful society lady a fine young fellow, (who of course, finds means to pose in khaki) and a muddlesome mayor (the aforesaid wicked uncle), Daisy Doring (a music hall star), and Lawyer Lynch. "Passing Events" is magnificently staged. It is also cleverly acted, sung and danced. Amongst the ladies highest honours are taken by Miss Kitty Colyer, the well-known comedienne. She contributes some splendid dances (plus handsprings) and wears some delightful costumes. Miss Nell Power as the society bell, afterwards a stage star, and finally as Britannia shielding little Belgium, proves herself a singing actress as artistic as attractive. (Bournemouth Guardian - Saturday 15 May, 1915) At the Hippodrome this week Mr. Harry Day presents "Passing Events", an entirely original burlesque and revue, by R.H. Douglass. The cast includes Miss Kitty Colyer, the well-known comedienne, who sings and dances with such ease and grace, that she immediately captivates the audience. She is particularly successful in her song "Just we two and the Moss." Mr. K.H. Douglass, the author is the principal comedian, and in his part as the Lawyer Lynch is full of really clever and witty lines. He is screamingly funny as the actor in "The Actor's Lament." Mr. Edgar Stevens as Harry Dane the lover, possesses a fine voice. His duet with Miss Kitty Colyer, "I've Got You and You've Got Me," is one of the best things of the evening. The really clever topical acrostic song by Miss Nell Power brings enthusiastic applause for the patriotic sentiment. Mr. Arthur Reynolds as Marmaduke Merryweather the Mayor and 'corporation' is full of quiet humour, and scores a distinct success. Mr. Fred Tooze sings a couple of spirited chorus songs ini fine style. The whole company including the chorus work together splendidly and the whole show goes with a swing from start to finish. Preceding the revue Jaffa a conjuror of few words shows exactly how it is done, and O'Gorman Bros the popular light comedians sing and dance in a style that evidently delighted the audience. (Bournemouth Guardian - Saturday 22 May 1915)
23 Aug 1915 Keep To The Right Unknown
27 Dec 1915 Ladies First Professional
22 May 1916 Frolics Unknown
24 Jul 1916 A Day In A Dug-Out Professional
4 Sep 1916 The Newlyweds and their Baby Unknown
9 Oct 1916 Samples Professional
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Reviewed in the Bournemouth Graphic, 13 October 1916.
4 Dec 1916 In the Trenches Professional
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Performed for the week.
15 Jan 1917 The Girl of the Future Professional
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‘A charming little playlet dealing with an episode of 200 years ago, will be the important attraction at the Boscombe Hippodrome next week, under the title, “!The Girl of the Future,” and in which the central figure will be the brilliant musical comedy actress, Miss Camille Clifford. The play, which is laid in a chateau in France, was written by Harold Simpson, and the music was composed by Arthur Klein. The scenery is by William Hemsley, the beautiful dresses of Miss Clifford by Lucile, while the Gibson gown is by G. Phillips and Son, Regent-street. Miss Clifford will be supported by Mr. Edgar Stevens, who will appear as the lover, and Mr. H. Tripp Edgar, who takes the part of the guardian. One of the features of the production will be a pleasing duet entitled, “I Send you Pansies,” sung by Miss Clifford and Mr. Stevens, and composed by Mr. J. M. Capel, who will also act in the capacity of musical director to Miss Clifford’ (Bournemouth Graphic, 12 January 1917). ‘The playlet entitled “The Girl of the Future,” which heads the bill at the Boscombe Hippodrome this week, is, it must be confessed, insipid and is decidedly weak. Mr. H. Tripp Edgar (“the Baron”) and Mr. Edgar Stevens (“the Lover”), an excellent vocalist, do their best with poor material’ (Bournemouth Graphic, 19 January 1917).
29 Jan 1917 Nature's Call Professional
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Advertised as the '"Epoch-Making Engagement of the Rev. A. J. Waldron (For 10 years Vicar of Brixton), in the Great Problem Sketch "Nature's Call"' "Bournemouth Graphic", 26 January 1917.
7 May 1917 Priceless Unknown
17 May 1917 What a Lady! Unknown
21 May 1917 The Girl from Ciro's Professional
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"2 hours of fun and merriment. Entire London Company and Production from the Garrick Theatre" - "Bournemouth Graphic", 18 May 1917.
11 Jun 1917 Smiles Unknown
18 Jun 1917 Three Bites Unknown
25 Jun 1917 Opkins On Fatigue Professional
9 Jul 1917 Sugar Unknown
17 Sep 1917 Joyland Professional
24 Sep 1917 Merry Thoughts (New Version) Unknown
8 Apr 1918 Flying Colours Professional
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‘Both life and language in the trenches, it would appear, are fully illustrated in a typical war sketch, “The Johnson ‘Ole,” appearing at Boscombe Hippodrome this week. This is one of the many humorous productions by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather and Macdonald Hastings; and is certainly a most laughable production. The programme states that the authors have endeavoured to truthfully depict life in the trenches about Christmas, 1914, therefore, the audience, it is hoped, will make allowance for the remarkable flow of adjectives that emanate from behind the “Walrus” barrage moustachios of “Old Bill.” This character is left in the hands of Harry Thurston, a part played by him with great success at the London Hippodrome. Practically the whole episode is centered around the doings of “Old Bill,” and as played by Harry Thurston there are certainly few dull moments. A fine variety bill supports “The Johnson ‘Ole”’. Bournemouth Graphic, Friday 12 April 1918.
8 Jul 1918 Ocean Waves Professional
22 Jul 1918 A Wife's Dilemma Professional
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‘Heading an excellent variety bill at Boscombe Hippodrome this week is Miss Constance Drever, the well-known and beautiful musical comedy actress, who with her company presents an original sketch entitled “A Wife’s Dilemma.” The sketch possesses one or two strong dramatic situations and ends with a complete surprise to the audience, but apart from the playing in which Miss Drever gives evidence of much dramatic talent, a feature is the singing by this lady of the Waltz song “Dreamland of Love,” specially composed by Archibald Joyce’. Bournemouth Graphic, 26 July 1918.
23 Sep 1918 Rations Professional
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‘Rations do not necessarily signify shortage. A striking example of this is given at Boscombe Hippodrome this week where Fred Karno’s bright revuette “Rations” offers anything but a shortage in mirth and melody. Mr. Rob [sic] Wilton, the principal comedian, possesses a fund of dry humour quite irresistible, and if he be the Kiss Controller, the Butcher or the Road Maker, his appearance is a sure sign of loud laughter to follow. Bright and tuneful music runs throughout the production, and Miss Winnie Collins is a fascinating little actress responsible for several pleasing songs and dances'. Bournemouth Graphic, 27 September 1918.
23 Dec 1918 Jolly Times Professional
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‘“Jolly Times” is making it a pulling week at the Hippodrome, Boscombe, this week. Harry Goodson is presenting Jos. Alexandre by arrangement with Harry Day in “Jolly Times,” an entirely new musical revue on incidents during the great war. An all star cast is headed by Jos. Alexandre who is the chief fun provider, and in addition to being an original comedian, is a good musician. He is supported by such well-known Boscombe favourites as Madge Merle, Florence Williams, Dorothy Vernon, Adrian Burgon, Chas. Lind, Vivian and Joseph Victor. The story opens in a Devonshire village. The extreme male and female population enlist in various forms of national importance. Later they are seen in the different occupations somewhere in France, which takes place in and around a canteen and deals chiefly with the lighter side of Tommy’s life. Now this revue is entirely different to any other that has ever visited this popular Boscombe house. There are also some very fine musical numbers and indeed it is a great show. There is also a very fine chorus of discharged soldiers, all of whom have done their bit. “Jolly Times” should be celebrated by all at the Hippo, this week’. Bournemouth Graphic, 27 December 1918.
3 Feb 1919 The Boy Comes Home Professional
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‘Crowds are flocking to see Handsome Godfrey Tearle at the Hippodrome this week. This gentleman has only just been “demobbed,” and made his first re-appearance “over the top” in stage life on Monday last when he played the central figure in a clever sketch by A. A. Milne entitled “The Boy Comes Home.” In a nutshell this is a clever up-to-date play showing how the Great War has resulted in a necessity for a careful re-adjustment of the views held by the older generation for the flower of our youth that has made such splendid sacrifices on the blood-stained battlefields. Mr. Godfrey Tearle is most happy and self-assuring as the “Boy” and the elderly nan [sic] is played with excellent effect by Mr. Arthur Bawtree’. Bournemouth Graphic, 7 February 1919.
17 Mar 1919 The Girl from Ciro's Professional
23 Nov 1931 Seven Days Leave Professional
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Performed twice nightly from 23 November by the Premier Denville Players.