Empire, Liverpool

At the Empire, on a bill which included George Robey, ‘a pleasing novelty will be the presentation of Sir James Barrie’s latest music hall sketch, “The New Word.”’ Liverpool Daily Post, Friday 16 July 1915. Also the Liverpool Echo, Saturday 17 July 1915. ‘The tit-bit at the Empire this week is a playlet by Barrie, “‘The New Word.” It deals with the standoffishness which often exists between father and grown-up son, and is worked out to a delightful conclusion. Mr. O. B. Clarence, the father, and Miss Helen Haye, the mother, get good assistance from Mr. Geoffrey Wilmer and Miss Ethel Wellesley’. Liverpool Echo, 20 July 1915.

Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.

Featuring Sir George Alexander; Mr J D Beveridge; Mr Charles Glenny.

‘The leading feature of the programme is the appearance of Miss Camille Clifford in “The Girl of the Future.” The formerly popular Gibson Girl received a flattering greeting from a large audience. Her principal helpers were Edgar Stevens and Tripp Edgar’ (The Era, 13 December 1916). ‘Miss Camille Clifford, the famous Gibson Girl, is appearing at the Empire Theatre this week. She has been widowed through the war, and has returned to the stage where she promises to shine as brilliantly as before. She plays in a delightful musical fantasy entitled “The Girl of the Future,” in the course of which she appears in her original role and gives a representation of the famous Gibson Girl walk’ (Birkenhead News, 13 December 1916).

J.C.Carlyle's Tour. Brave Women Who Wait; or The Munition Girl's Love Story. By Mrs F.G. Kimberley. Brilliant success of re-production. Very strong cast and beautifully staged.(The Era, 14th March, 1917).

Performed here until 29 July with Bob Stevens as Erb.

Performed for the week by George Hestor (actor), Dorothy Frostick (actress), Marie Ellis (actress), Nat Lewis (actor). ‘Fred Karno is anxious that the public shall know that Nosey Knows (Empire next week) is not a revue. I think he could have saved himself the trouble. We know our Karno by now’. (Liverpool Echo, 14 December 1917)

This was retained at the theatre for three consecutive weeks.

Performers: Fred Kitchen, Nora Delany

‘There is a strong flavour of the topical about the programme at the Empire Theatre this week, since the title of the new Fred Karno revue presented is “Rations!”. It is not difficult to imagine that there are endless possibilities for amusement in a production with such a subject. Mr. Robb Wilton and a fine company lose no opportunity of turning the good material to most laughable account, with the result that the audience are bound to enjoy the Karno “Rations"'(Liverpool Daily Post, 7 May 1918). ‘The revuette “Rations,” presented at the Empire by Fred Karno’s Company is a diverting absurdity, which gives Robb Wilton many opportunities for his especial form of entertainment. As the meatless butcher with a bewildering array of registered customers - and such bewitching customers - he conducts a roaring trade, the roaring coming from the customers who go away empty-handed (Liverpool Echo, 7 May 1918).

‘Trench humour is irresistible, and when it is the creation of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather it is doubly so, for then is of the best brand. “The Johnson ‘Ole,” produced in Liverpool for the first time last evening at the Empire Theatre, introduces us to a fresh episode in the career of Old Bill the Walrus. “The Johnson ‘Ole,” whilst quite a good vehicle for the exploitation of the true spirit of trench hilarity, lacks the finer human touches which invested “The Better ‘Ole” with its unfading charm. The new “Ole” is, in fact, designed to give “Old Bill,” “Bert,” and “‘Arry” in merry mood minus the pathos of the other “‘Ole.” Taken on that basis, frankly it is acceptable. The portrayal of the Walrus by Mr. Harry Thurston was praiseworthy work by this popular comedian, who had worthy allies in Messrs. W. P. Sheen and Leonard May’. Liverpool Daily Post, 23 July 1918.

Performed by: Mary Mayfren

Duncan and Godfrey. The famous Cockney Comedy Couple in "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (The Era - Wednesday 28 August 1918)

‘Topping the list at the [Liverpool] Empire this week is a grand Fred Karno production, “Rations,” starring the eminent actor Tom Drew, who receives ample support from the well-known artistes Winnie Collins and Chas. Childerstone. Patrons need only glance at the name Fred Karno to gain a fair impression of the worth of the production. They will not be disappointed in the present instance’. Birkenhead News, 25 December 1918.