Prince's Theatre, Manchester

Previewed in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 20 February 1915: the play 'brings vividly home the perils of the German spy danger … strong emotionalism and humour are nicely blended’. ‘“The Man Who Stayed at Home” is constructed on lines which are reminiscent of the author of “Sherlock Holmes” ... The play is most ingeniously constructed. It begins to grip one after the first few minutes, and once gained, the grip is never relaxed. Amusement and excitement are blended admirably' (Manchester Evening News, 23 February 1915). ‘Messrs. Lechmere Worrall and Harold Terry are to be congratulated on having produced a capital little play which fulfils the true intent of drama - to delight its auditors. “The Man Who Stayed at Home” holds all the elements which, if we are inclined to be frank, we must admit have made the most potent appeal to us, as healthy human animals, since the time of boyhood, and in our lustiest moods make the greatest appeal to us still. To outwit one’s enemy, to pit one’s brains and one’s strength against hostile craft, and to win through the struggle – the bases of human happiness are here. Such are the elements of the play that was so capably enacted at the Prince’s Theatre last night. The authors have imparted a sentimental interest to their drama, but it is, happily, slight. What really keeps the audience agog while the play is proceeding is the ever lively interest in plots and counter-plots, the constant tying of knots and the unravelling of the same, the running against brick walls and promptly vaulting them or slipping through an unnoticed gate ... It is not “intellectual,” and it is not at all informative, save as to Morse code and wireless installations, but it is capital fun and quite thrilling’ (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 23 February 1915). This was the Vedrenne and Eadie company since the Taylor Platt company was in Reading this week.

The Manchester Evening News, Monday 8 October 1917, advertised A Kiss for Cinderella at the Prince’s Theatre in the following week. ‘A pleasant prospect is in store for the Prince’s patrons. Sir J. M. Barrie’s delightful play, “A Kiss from- Cinderella,” will be there, pioneered by F. Pennington-Gush and Miss Gertrude Lang. We get too little chance nowadays of coming under the magical charm of the wizard Barrie’. Manchester Evening News, 13 October 1917. The Manchester Evening News, 16 October 1917, published a review of the production.

‘“Bubbly” at the Prince’s. “Bubbly” is a blend of revue and musical comedy, and makes a satisfying evening’s entertainment. Mr. Edmund Russell is responsible for most of the fun, and other prominent members of a well-balanced company are Misses Ivy Tresmand, Doris Barrington, Violet Valerie, and Messrs Cedric Percival, Ernest Seebold, and Claude Ryder’. Manchester Evening News, 12 March 1918.

Performed 15-20 April by cast including H. V. Esmond, and Moya Mannering. This was intended to be the last performance on the provincial tour before the play transferred to London but there is no evidence that the London production took place.

‘“Bubbly” is again proving a capital draw [at Prince’s, Manchester], to judge from the crowded and enthusiastic audiences. Prominent in the cast are Jessica Bevan, Edith Payne, Kathleen Martyn, Edith Tolton, Edmund Russell, W. Ashley Sinclair, R. Barret Lennard, and Ernest Seebold’. The Stage, 1 May 1919.

‘“Nurse Benson” is a war story that quickly met with the approval of a large holiday audience at the Prince’s. It is full of good comedy and some most amusing situations arise through the action of a young person, who adopting the name and uniform of the real Nurse Benson wins the affections of a wounded V.C. officer. Miss Marie Lohr’s company is one of considerable ability, and there is not a dull moment throughout the performance’. Manchester Evening News, 10 June 1919.

Presented for the week by Thomas C. Dagnall's company: cast included J. Lawrence Anderson (actor), Evelyn Ormonde (actress), Will Smith (actor), Vincent Holman (actor), Dorothy Clifton (actress).

‘“Nurse Benson” is here [the Prince’s, Manchester]. Hazel Jones’s piquant and charming assumption of Lady Gillian Dunsmore, the impersonator of Nurse Benson, wins all hearts. Clifford B. Poultney displays the necessary restraint as the invalid V.C. A fine character -sketch of the would-be-lady, Mrs. Tibbenham, comes from Drusilla Wills. James Carrah [sic – Carrall] also contributes! a life like characterisation as Lord Messiger’. The Stage, 15 April 1920.

Performed by the Everyman Theatre Company. "The Stage", 16 December 1920