Theatre Royal, Macclesfield

Reviewed in The Stage, 29 July 1915: ‘ On Monday, July 26, 1915, was produced at the Royal, Macclesfield, a melodrama, in four acts, by Emma Litchfield, entitled:- Home Once More’. The cast was: Captain Geoffrey Forrester, R.N. … Mr. S. P. Goodyer-Kettley Lieut. Eric Lorraine, R.N.A.S. [Royal Naval Air Service] … Mr. Conrad E. Stratford Lieut. Aubrey Neilson, D.S.O. … Mr. Lionel Balmont Jack Anderson, A.B. … Mr. Tom H. Solly Barney McChree … Mr. C. J. Spry Palmer Detective Kirby … Mr. E. C. Edwards Stella Richmond … Miss Ena Nowham [sic – Newham] Yvette d’Arville … Miss Lillie Livesey Mary Lorraine … Miss Emma Litchfield. The scenes were: Act 1.- The Home. Captain Forrester’s House Party. Act 2, sc. 1.- Lodge of Captain Forrester’s House; sc.2, Mr. and Mrs. Forrester’s Home. Act 3.- Garden of Captain Forrester’s House. Act 4, sc. 1.- The Home Garden; sc. 2, Country Lane, Jack Ashore; sc. 3, Home Once More’. The review continued with a account of the plot and concluded, 'The scenery is new and pretty, and the artists are well up in their work. A telling impersonation of Capt. Forrester is given by Mr. S. P. Goodyer-Kettley; Mr. Conrad E. Stratford is seen to advantage as Eric Lorraine. Mr. Lionel Balmont makes a finished study of Lieut. Aubrey Neilson. The humorous portions of the play are safe in the able hands of Mr. Tom H. Solly as Jack Anderson, and Mr. C. J. Spry Palmer as Barney McChree. Miss Lillie Livesey acts in a lively, and natural manner the part of Yvette d’Arville. The Stella Richmond of Miss Ena Newham is an excellent performance. In the character of Mary Lorraine, Miss Emma Litchfield captures the sympathy of the audience, and holds it right through’.

‘Mr. and Mrs. Percy Brown’s company, in Remember Belgium, are here [the Royal, Macclesfield) for the week. Gilbert Elvin undertakes in an able manner the part of Colonel Featherstone. Arthur Lawrey [sic] is well placed as John Grant. A clever portrayal of George Grant is presented by Cliffe Dean. Percy Brown is seen to advantage as Fritz Stembach [sic]. Vida Haslewood undertakes with success the part of Marie. Lelia Drummond is pleasing as Mrs. Featherstone’. The Stage, 14 October 1915.

The Stage, 28 October 1915, listed The Unmarried Mother as On Tour from 25 October at the Royal, Macclesfield. ‘Oswald Cray’s company, with The Unmarried Mother, are here, receiving marked favour (The Stage, 28 October 1915).

‘This week we have Walter [sic] H. Glaze’s company in “His Last Leave” and “The Price of a Good Time.” On Monday evening to a crowded house was presented the first-named play. A manly impersonation of Richard Maxwell is given by Norton Shields. Edwin Davies acts in highly satisfactory fashion the part of Captain Robert Saltire. Hal Meade is well placed as the Rev. James Maxwell. The humorous portions of the piece are supplied by George Godfrey, as Corporal Tim Trimfoot, A. J. Warden, as Jawkins, and J. Garrett, as Private ‘Erb. A pleasing study of Rose Maxwell is contributed by Monica Holmes. Millie Philips is seen to advantage as Dora Wendover’. The Stage, 18 September 1919.