Empire Theatre, Preston

Performed by Gilbert Heron and company.

(Preston) 5064 Gerrard one of the greatest of all London revue successes, will be produced at the Preston Empire next week by Mr Andre Charlot. The Revue ran at the Alhambra for many months to record bookings and made a big name adding to the lustre of one of the most popular theatres in town. It comes to the provinces with more claim to the liberal transplantation of a London success than usual, the setting, staging, dressing, and ensemble of all the 7 splendid scenes being identified with the Alhambra production. An unusually powerful cast of leading artistes has been secured. George French, the eminent comedian leads the fun-makers, and misses no point in a book that bristles with wit and humour. Anna Dorothy, an American comedienne who has made a big name for herself on this side of the pond, is the leading light on the ladies side of the cast. Dorothy Monkman a charming dancer and songstress with many tuneful and taking numbers. Miss Connie Kaye, Miss Finlayson, Syd Crossley, and Lafayette Ranney created amongst the leaders in a company of over 50 artistes. Special pains have been taken in the selection of a chorus gifted in song and dance, and the whole ensemble is worthy of the lavish setting. The 7 scenes include a magnificent Persian Ballet which for splendour staging, dressing and effect has seldom been equalled. The Pearl Necklace is another of the notable tableaux, and the Mirror Club an exact replica of one of the most famous and brilliant of London's nightclubs is a unique attraction. Amongst the many attractive lyrics which open the piece are Miss Monkman's Song of the Harem, Kentucky Home, and My Bird of Paradise. Miss Anna Dorothy's Won't You Be My Leading Lad, There She Goes, Humpty Dumpty Rag. Connie Kay's Oh Oh Marie, and Curds and Whey. Lafayette Ranney's Pick of the Family, and Rosy Rapture in addition to many concerted numbers and choral songs. (Lancashire Evening Post – Saturday 8 January 1916)

Performed for the week: Ralph Roberts (writer), Jean Nougues (music and songs), Harry Buss (actor)

‘“Somewhere in Somerset” is an up-to-date musical comedy revue with both lyrical and scenic merits and an abundance of comedy. Four scenes contain its action, and the last set is a really artistic presentation. Laden with little complication to plot, it goes breezily alone with mirth, song, and movement. Miss Dorothy Vere’s musical numbers are a feature of the production, and she receives able support from a company which includes Mr. Albert Bruno, who as “Biffins” is a highly successful comedian, as usual; Misses Georgie Vokes, Nancy Lorrisen, Lydia Lee, Dorothy Barnes; and Messrs. Fred Ramsdale, Leonard Palmer, and Fred Eugene’. Lancashire Evening Post, 9 April 1918.

Advertisement: ‘Next week. London’s latest sensation, the great military and naval revue, Khaki and Blue. A New and Original Comedy Dramatic Revue with a Punch. Production by Charles Baldwin, Alfred Parker, and Belle Davies. Special Music by Lawrence Wright. Full London cast. Nat Lewis. Freddie Ives. Fred Terris. Herbert Barrs. George Marriott. Paul Daly. Violet Fields. Rosie Hart. Constance Henderson. Sam Carter. Rosalie Jacobi. Complete London chorus. The revue of the moment in nine gorgeous scenes’. Lancashire Evening Post, 15 June 1918. ‘The popularity of revue shows no sign of waning in Preston, nor is it likely to do so long as shows of such sound quality as “Khaki and Blue” are presented. Bright and clean comedy, with Nat Lewis as the chief exponent, is well to the fore, but a strong vein of spectacular drama lends special interest to the piece. Rosalie Jacobi and Paul Daly touch first-class musical comedy standard in their new lyrics and, they are admirably supported by a strong and tuneful chorus. Among the special features in the nine scenes are a clever comedy in the trenches on the western front and a stirring fight for a “pill-box” in the German lines’. Lancashire Evening Post, 18 June 1918.

Performed here until 29 June and starring Bob Stevens as Erb.

‘“The Live Wire” strikes a new note in spy plays. Dealing with a late period near the close of the war, it emphasises the safety of the German policy of keeping all aliens behind “the live wire,” in contrast to our own dilatory internment scheme, which left many alien enemies at liberty. Smartly written, full of dramatic surprise, and modern to the last line, the play convincingly proves the feasibility of a German spy obtaining a post as the trusted leader-writer of a patriotic British daily paper, and actually using the leaders as a means of conveying information to the enemy by a secret code. Splendidly played by a first-class company, “The Live Wire” is a sure draw’. Lancashire Evening Post, 21 January 1919.

The Female Hun - Walter Melville's Company in an entirely new play, in ten scenes. Direct from the Lyceum Theatre, London. Twice nightly 6.40 & 8.45. (Lancashire Evening Post - Thursday 20 May 1920)

Performed by the Denville company.

Performed from 27-30 January and 1 February by Henry Baynton (actor), Olga Anderson (actress) alongside 'Waterloo' by Arthur Conan Doyle.