Hippodrome, Nottingham

Albert Sember's company

Performed from 26 June to 1 July 1916 by Billy Bernhardt, Florence Smithers, Nelly Turner, Andy Clark, Phil Lester, Gertie Lawrence, E.A. Plumpton. Other acts included: Frank Hartley (juggler), Gene Fields (musician), Hall & Turn (acrobats), Bioscope.

Performed for the week by cast including Harry Buss. '"In the Trenches" has a far more genuine note about it than the programme description of "a screaming comedy" would suggest...there is the letter which Private Higgins receives from his sweetheart telling him that she is being taken out as a "kindness" by a friend of his who is working in munitions is not without its counterpart in real life, judging by the reception it had' (Nottingham Evening Post, 21 November 1916)

6.40 & 9pm. Charlie Rich and Company in the Musical Extravaganza "They Didn't Want To Do It." (Nottingham Journal Thursday 22 March 1917)

‘Captain Bruce Bairnsfather’s sketch “The Johnson ‘Ole,” is quite the success claimed for it. It is a realistic picture of trench life, and the humour is distinctly crisp. In the original character of Old Bill (the Walrus) Harry Thurston is very amusing indeed, and the whole production is most entertaining’. Nottingham Evening Post, 25 September 1917. ‘Everyone surely has had a laugh, one time or another, at the sardonic humour of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather’s sketches of trench life, and if one can imagine a whole gallery of those sketches strung together and brought to life, an excellent idea will be gained of what “The Johnson ‘Ole,” as presented at the Hippodrome last night, is like. Mr. Harry Thurston and his comrades have been seen in a similar study before, but while the surroundings remain the same the “book” is entirely new. There is good honest laughter in it from beginning to end, that is except for fleeting moments when one is reminded poignantly that there is another side to the picture; and no topical production yet seen in Nottingham has been more generously appreciated than was “The Johnson ‘Ole” last night’. Nottingham Journal, 25 September 1917.

‘Miss Constance Drever, known to all and sundry as a most piquant “Merry Widow,” imparts a wonderful touch to “A Wife’s Dilemma,” the playlet which she brings to Nottingham. It is the story of “a past” which turns out to be merely a figment of the imagination, but Miss Drever keeps her audience on the tip-toe of expectancy to the very last moment, and does it with consummate ease’ (Nottingham Journal, 19 March 1918). ‘Miss Constance Drever, the popular light operatic star, is appearing at the Hippodrome with a capable company in “A Wife’s Dilemma,” a dramatic sketch of absorbing interest, in which an escaped convict plays a prominent part. Miss Drever finds it an excellent medium for the display of her high vocal attainments and for her marked ability as an emotional actress’ (Nottingham Evening Post, 19 March 1918).

‘Typical trench humour is the feature of “The Johnson ‘Ole” at the Hippodrome, and Harry Thurston as “the walrus” creates uproarious merriment’. Nottingham Evening Post, 25 June 1918. ‘Laughter, loud and well sustained, with now and again a characteristic touch of pathos, is very much in evidence in Captain Bruce Bairnsfather’s appealing wartime study “The Johnson ‘Ole,” presented last night at the Nottingham Hippodrome. Harry Thurston imparts to Old Bill “The Walrus" the requisite touch of reality, and two large audiences thoroughly appreciated his efforts, as well as those of his capable assistants’. Nottingham Journal, 25 June 1918.

Previewed in the Nottingham Journal, 9 August 1919, which noted that ‘with a chorus composed of discharged soldiers, there is a strong military interest in “Jolly Times”’. ‘Delightful music, the whimsicalities of the comedian, homely as well as catchy songs, and a strong chorus, beautifully dressed, constitute the success of “Jolly Times!” at the. Hippodrome this week. Presented by Mr. Harry Goodson, the revue features Joseph Alexandre, the comedian with an unlimited source of original humour, as the leader of a merry band. The revue is not without its strata of sentiment, and this is mainly sustained by the rich voice of Peter McSweeney, who scores chiefly in his stirring rendering of “Brave Old Contemptibles.” The only individual turn in the Hippodrome’s programme is Larry Lewis, a very amusing comedian’ (Nottingham Journal, 12 August 1919). ‘“Jolly Times,” a revue depicting incidents in the war, is promised a good run at the Royal Hippodrome. Joseph Alexandre as a funny corporal made the audience rock with laughter last night, being just the type of comedian Nottingham people seem to appreciate. For the rest, the ladies - Florence Williams, Cassie King, and Madge Merle - lend the necessary “go” to the production and Peter McSweeney sings admirably. There is no melancholy note in the war reminiscences so that the revue can claim to be up to date, though is almost entirely a khaki show’ (Nottingham Evening Post, 12 August 1919).

Performed for the week including the song 'Down in a Coal Mine'. Other acts on the bill were Alec Daimler and Dora Eadie, R. W. Willey, Miss Billie Val and partner, Ted Waite, Howard Flynn, Elste Haynson Charles Hanbury and Jonny Schofield, and Answerouls, the great Belgian acrobats.