Empire, Chiswick

The West London Observer, Friday 26 November 1915, advertised Helen Haye and O. B. Clarence in “The New Word” at the Chiswick Empire from Monday 29 November.

Chiswick Twice nightly 6.40 & 9pm. This special edition of 5064 Gerrard has been prepared by Messrs. L. Wylie and Alfred Parker. By arrangement with Alhambra Theatre London. The Revue with a Vogue. Cast includes George French, Anna Dorothy, Dorothy Monkman, Connie Kaye, Syd Crossley, Lafayette Rannsley, Charlie Manny, Bob Roberts, La Rose du Boulevard, Odette Myrtil. Full company of 50 artistes. 7 magnificent scenes including the Persian Ballet, and Murray's Night Club- an exact replica. (West London Observer – 31 March 1916)

The revue is previewed in a number of West London newspapers, and is reviewed in the Richmond Herald, 8 April 1916, but there is no mention of a tribunal sketch.

Messrs Geo. Grossmith and Edward Laurillard presented Roberts and Company for the week. Company included: Leslie Henson (actor), Ralph Roberts (writer), Miss Marjory Kennard (singer), Jean Nougues or Nouques (music by), Donovan Parsons (lyric writer). 'The piece is an excerpt from an entertainment given at a recent charity performance in town...has several amusing features, but there are one or two incongruities...The first scene is unnecessary...the piece...somewhat handicapped by the inclusion of a feminine character, a nurse (who, by the way, wears velvet shoes and openwork stockings for field work...It would be better...to rely upon the second scene and cut out the first with its frankly absurd love duet and dance between a French soldier and a nurse. Surely they don't do these things on the battlefield in France' (Stage 3 August 1916)

Hollier and Haynes Twa Draps O Scotch Duncan and Godfrey in a Cockney conversation concerning, "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (The Era - Wednesday 16 August 1916)

Advertised as the 'last two performances' of the play (West London Observer, 15 September 1916)

Two performances 6.40 and 9 pm Duncan and Godfrey in a Cockney conversation concerning, "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (Ealing Gazette and West Middlesex Observer - Saturday 04 November 1916)

This was the first performance of the play on any stage. 'It is eminently fitting that the question of economy, now so prominent, should presented to the public on the stage. Many will thus be reached, and it is to be hoped impressed, who may be deaf to other appeals. The thing has indeed already been done. But last week a new sketch dealing with the topic was running at the Chiswick Empire. Its title “My Superior Officer,” and its author Mr. Michael Morton. It presents wounded but convalescent soldier, home from the front, earnestly exhorting his own family to add economy and war saving —i.e., tho purchase of War Savings Certificates to all that they have already done in munition work and in other ways. The play is essentially word in season.' (Era, 29 November 1916)

Advertised in the West Middlesex Gazette, 7 December 1916: by Fred Thompson; lyrics by Warton David; music by Nat D. Ayer; produced by Gus Sohlke; cast includes James Learmouth as Billy Peppercorn, Arthur Roberts as Colonel Coddington, Jennie Hartley as Lady Ethel Wallace-West, Billy Caryll as Apostrophe S. Jones, Stafford Dickens, Will Hyde, Dorothy Grey as Florrie, and an army of singers and dancers. Scene 1 – A Mean Street, Inch End, E.; Scene 2 – Street; Scene 3 – Casino, Nagg’s Island; Scene 4 – Max and Moritz in a German trench; Scene 5 – Royal Automobile Club.

Performed by Edith Carter & Company. Performing in the same bill were: Miss Marie Lloyd, Fred Barnes Brilliant Light Comedy Star, The Quaint Q's International Quartette, Frank Maura Mexican Foot Juggler, Mullaney Bros Australian Comedians, Leona & Vince Dancers, Neil Gow Scottish Comedian, Newsreel, Julien Henry & Co Musical Interlude.

An excerpt from the piece was performed as part Madame Clara Butt's matinee in aid fo the War Seal Foundation at 2.30. (Globe, 16 June 1917)

Performed for the week: 'In the opening scene a wounded French officer makes love to a Red Cross Nurse. The Frenchman is very emotional and his love-making is intensely funny' (West London Observer, 29 June 1917)

An excerpt entitled 'The Women's Tribute' was given as part of Clara Butt's matinee for the Day Servants' Hostel, Danvers St, Chelsea at the Chiswick Empire by permission of Oswald Stoll.

‘Charles Austin heads a list of stars at the Chiswick Empire on Monday. Not many of the public know that Mr. Austin has been presented with the Royal Humane Society’s certificate and medal for life-saving, yet such is the case. “Parker’s Appeal” is the subject selected by this well-known comedian for his Chiswick visit’. Ealing Gazette and West London Observer, 5 January 1918.

Prominent among the fine list of stars engaged to appear at the Chiswick Empire next week will be the names of Mary Leighton, the celebrated soprano, and Mamelle and Partner, comedy jugglers. Then we are to have the famous Joe Boganny and his "Fun in a Bakehouse" act. There is no doubt about the turn of the Boganny troupe being even more popular today than ever it was. The introduction of the dwarfs in contrast to the "huge Joe was a great idea; and the acrobatic work is done in masterly fashion. Perhaps the chief secret of the success achieved is that years ago, Boganny realised that there were other acrobats, and determined that he would not only make the people applaud, but would make them shout with laughter. And how splendidly he has succeeded. That quaint coster couple Duncan and Godfrey, in a Cockney conversation concerning "A Soldier, a Girl, and a Jolly Jack Tar," the Six Q's, Rinaldo, Tom E. Hood, and Bi-Bo-Bi, are other attractions booked. (Ealing Gazette and West Middlesex Observer - Saturday 02 March 1918)

Performed for the week by cast including Harry Buss. Others on the same bill: C. H. Chirgwin (the White Eyed Kaffir), Nellie Wallace (character comedienne), Daisy James (the popular comedienne), Wynne Hulme (contralto), Douglas Ascot, Hamamura family (an unequalled combination of Japanese Artistes), Latest Official War News by War Office Topical Budget.

‘“Old Bill” and his companions are to appear at Chiswick Empire next week in the trench episode, “The Johnson ‘Ole,” the joint production of Capt. Brace Bairnsfather and B. Macdonald Hastings. It is an amusing sketch, and Mr. Harry Thurston, the London Hippodrome comedian, who impersonates “Old Bill,” explains that it is absolutely true to life, for every incident in it has happened on the Western front’. Acton Gazette, Friday 30 August 1918. ‘“Old Bill” and his companions are to appear [at the Chiswick Empire] in the trench episode, “The. Johnson ‘Ole,” the joint product of Capt. Bruce Bairnsfather and B. Macdonald Hastings. Life in the trenches is not the kind of life you would expect in a drawing room or your best parlour. Mr. Harry Thurston, the London Hippodrome comedian, who impersonates “Old Bill,” explains that “The Johnson ‘Ole” is absolutely true to life, for every incident in it has happened on the Western Front’. Harrow Observer, Friday 30 August 1918. Similarly the West London Observer of the same date, and the Middlesex County Times and the Ealing Gazette and West Middlesex Observer of Saturday 31 August 1918. The Acton Gazette of Friday 6 September 1918 advertised for Saturday 7 September the last two performances of ‘The Johnson ‘Ole’.

‘By arrangement with Mr. Harry Day, the new musical burlesque, “Jolly Times,” will be presented as next week’s attraction at the Chiswick Empire. That quaint humorist, Jos. Alexandre, is principal comedian. He will be remembered best as the irrepressible senior partner of Alexandre and Hughes … For “Jolly Times,” Max Darewski has composed the music, and the dances are by Millie Edgar. Quite a big bunch of pretty principals appear in this production, which is in seven scenes, and they include Madge Merle, Adrian Burgon, Dorothy Vernon, Florence Williams, and Charles Lind-Vivian. There is a male chorus of discharged soldiers’. Marcelle Molray, the Belgian operatic soprano, was also on the bill (Acton Gazette, 11 April 1919). Advertised as ‘the second edition of the big production Jolly Times’ in the West London Observer, 11 April 1919. Advertised as the ‘second edition’, with ‘book by H. G. Goring’, in the Middlesex County Times, 12 April 1919.

‘The programme at Chiswick Empire this week contains a number of very entertaining items, and is giving every satisfaction. At the top of the bill is the versatile comedian, Charles Austin, who, together with his company, a small but very good one, appears in an amusing comedy sketch, entitled “Parker’s Appeal.” Nobody could possibly be funnier than is Mr. Austin in this diverting episode, which is thoroughly enjoyed by all’. Richmond Herald, 10 May 1919.

‘The star attraction at Chiswick Empire next week will be “Parker’s Appeal”’. Richmond Herald, 24 December 1919.