Hippodrome, Mexborough

‘The war has furnished abundant material for the dramatist, and we have had many plays of a military type at the Hippodrome of late, most of them with a special bearing on Germany’s amazing spy system. This week Mr. and Mrs. Percy Brown are presenting a new and original war drama, under the title of “Remember Belgium!” which strikes quite a different note. It tells of a young English officer who, on the eve of war, develops a sense of cowardice, and resigns his commission. The taunts and jeers of his friends are of no avail, but the inspiring genius that brings back his manhood and makes him a hero is his sweetheart, whom self-sacrifice rouses his latent spirit and dispels his haunting fear. The play is well acted and staged; indeed, the battle scene, with its crash of shot and shell, is wonderfully realistic ... The more serious parts of the play are relieved by bright comedy, and we commend the piece to local drama lovers as a very enjoyable production’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 3 July 1915.

An advertisement inserted by Ernest R. Abbott in The Era, 11 August 1915, seeking theatres gave his address for this week as the Hippo., Mexborough. At this time the company seems to have been performing only The Love Child.

‘[Next week at the Mexborough Hippodrome] there is a double hill, provided by a Mexboro’ favourite, viz., Mrs. Frank Bateman, who is supported by a sterling company. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights Mrs. Bateman will submit an entirely new drama, entitled “The Woman in Khaki,” by Gladys Hastings Walton. It is a vigorous and well-written story dealing with events leading up to and since actually taken place in the great world struggle. Mrs. Frank Bateman herself plays the title role, and is supported by Miss Lily Adeson (Lady Alastair), Miss Flora Hastings (Countess Von Arnfeldt), Mr. F. W. Goddard (Viscount Kendrick), Mr. H. W. Parker (Paul du Barry), Mr. Roy Jackson (Baron Manheim), and others. On Friday and Saturday nights, a powerful domestic drama, “Why Women Love,” will be presented. Both plays are splendidly staged’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times, 16 October 1915). ‘Hippodrome patrons … have been well pleased with Mrs. Frank Bateman’s productions [this week]. For the first four nights the play submitted was “The Woman in Khaki,” a story suited to the times. It deals with the German spy system, and the character of Baron Heindrick Manheim is just such a one as comes easily to the imagination – mercenary and soulless. Ably played by Mr. Roy Jackson, Baron Manheim is a source of much execration by the audience; just as, in reverse order, the inspiring character of Madge Rawlinson (the woman in khaki), cleverly played by Mrs. Frank Bateman, is vigorously and enthusiastically cheered. Mr. Fred W. Goddard is a true type of Britisher in his role of Viscount Harry Kendrick; Lord Alastair is ably played by Mr. Bert Daniels; an interesting figure of Sergt.-Major Rawlinson is presented by Mr. E. Lowrie; while Miss Flora Hastings (Countess Arnfeldt), and Miss Lily Adeson (Lady Alastair) play most successfully. An enjoyable vein of comedy relieved the heavier parts of the drama, and the piece was well staged’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times, 23 October 1915).

Advertisement in The Stage, p. 38, 21 October 1915. New production by Mrs. Frank Bateman's Company. No performance dates but described as 'Production Christmas'.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

When Charles Locke advertised in The Era, 18 April 1917, and in The Stage, 19 April 1917, for a theatre for For Motherland for 30 April his address for the following week was the Hippo., Mexborough.

‘Quite the best drama we have had for a long time is the universal verdict of Hippodrome patrons his week, and big crowds of playgoers have rallied round Mr. Arthur Hinton and his clever company, whose production of “The Black Sheep of the Family” has afforded intense pleasure. It is a play of an uncommon kind, and of a type calculated to bring the drama once more into its own. “The Black Sheep of the Family” (the Hon. Ralph Sylvester) is not really a “black sheep,” but more of a lovable character whose exuberance and generous disposition, rebelling against the even monotony of his existence, find an outlet in ways that do not meet with the approval of his father, Lord Arlingham. The term, “black sheep,” might indeed more fittingly be applied to his sneaking, treacherous brother, Lionel, the “model son,” whose cunning is designed to oust Ralph from the heirship. The play is replete with fine scenes, the full effect of which are brought out by clever acting. Mr. Arthur Hinton, as Ralph Sylvester, quickly “gets the house” in the opening scene, and scores a big hit all through, a novel scene being his unorthodox meeting with Loyale Dare; the despicable Lionel Sylvester is well played by Mr. Harry T. Wood; Lord Arlingham has a capable exponent in Mr. Henry Ward; and two delightful character studies are Tough McCoy (Mr. Leslie Steward) and Jobson, the butler (Mr. F. Chapman). Miss Ethel Monton is a charmingly frank and attractive Loyale Dare; Miss Josephine Richards gives a carefully studied rendition of Blanche Maitland. To-night (Friday) a splendid version of Marie Corelli’s “Sorrows of Satan” will be staged, with the same first-class cast; and on Saturday night “The Black Sheep the Family” will be repeated’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 4 August 1917.

The Stage, 9 August 1917, published an advertisement by Miss Winifred Maude seeking theatres for The Coward Who Made Good and The Mormon and The Maid, giving the contact address for the following week as the Hippodrome, Mexboro’. The Stage, 16 August 1917, published an advertisement by Miss Winifred Maude seeking theatres for The Coward Who Made Good ('Splendid reception at Hippodrome, Mexboro’. Manager Hirst says: “Audience delighted.” The entertainment that is wanted!!!’), and The Mormon and The Maid, giving the contact address that week as the Hippodrome, Mexboro’.

The South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 10 November 1917, advertised at the Mexborough Hippodrome on Monday 12 November and during the week ‘Emma Litchfield’s Company, in an Entirely New Production - The Thrilling Domestic Drama: Always Welcome, By Emma Litchfield. By Special Request – Friday Night Only – The Successful Romantic Drama – King of the Gipsies, By Emma Litchfield’. Also, ‘Miss Litchfield’s company in “Always Welcome!” will visit the Hippodrome next week. The drama was produced early in the year, and has had a continuous run, playing to splendid business at all the best dramatic theatres in London and the provinces. Miss Litchfield, the authoress, has written several plays, and belongs to a well-known theatrical family, of whom she is naturally very proud ... Mr. Conrad E. Stratford, who plays the part of “Philip Webster,” is a rising young actor of great promise ... Mr. Tom H. Solly, a well-known clever comedian. is another prominent member of a really excellent company. On Friday night (by special request) the successful romantic drama, “King of the Gipsies” (by Emma Litchfield) will be played' (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 10 November 1917).

‘Mexboro’ Hippodrome patrons are next week to be again favoured by revue, when Messrs. Magini and Major are due to present their special edition of “Stop-Press Revue,” a production that after a remarkably long and successful run has been brought right up-to-date, and in its new form promises to surpass all precious records it has created ... The revue features a popular comedienne in Miss Kitty Major, who among other numbers will sing “A few here from Lancashire,” “Who’s She?” and a cleverly written monologue, “The fellow with a conscience who objects"' ... The revue should draw well’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 8 December 1917). ‘Revue of a particularly enjoyable type has been attracting big crowds to the Hippodrome this week. The visit of Messrs. Magini and Majors company in “Special Edition of Stop-Press Revue” has, indeed, provided local patrons with one of the best expositions of this form of entertainment seem here for some time ... in scene 5 Miss Kitty Major introduces a clever concert party of five ladies, three of whom are soldiers’ wives, one a soldier’s widow, and one a soldier’s daughter. Needless to say, they have a big and well-deserved reception ... Miss Kitty Major is a sparkling comedienne., and establishes herself a favourite with her first number, “Who’s She?” Another good item is a topical song, “A few here from Lancashire,” and she also gives a monologue which is extremely severe on the conscientious objector, viz., “The Fellow with a conscience who objects." ... Nellie Gannon [sings] "I didn’t want my boy to be a soldier"' (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 15 December 1917).

‘The first house at the Mexborough Hippodrome on Monday right evidenced the popularity of the legitimate drama, for there was not a vacant seat at the theatre. The attraction, Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, in the new play, “His Last Leave,” proved to be gripping, stimulating and inspiring, for during its presentation there were frequent outbursts of patriotic enthusiasm. Of course, the main theme of the plot is love and treachery, but its setting is original and up-to-date. The attempt to bring home the awful realities of war is eminently successful, and a deep impression is created thereby. “His Last Leave” has proved highly acceptable dramatic fare, and should do big business this week-end. The play is well acted ... Appropriately staged, the drama well deserves the success it has achieved’. South Yorkshire and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 9 March 1918.

Twice nightly.

The South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 26 October 1918, advertised at the Mexborough Hippodrome, twice nightly from Monday 28 October, ‘Mr. Will H. Glaze’s New Production – A Son of the Sea By Clifford Rean. A Story of our Island Home. A Play that has met with Unparalleled Success. Magnificent Scenery. Everything carried. First-Class Company’. Also: 'Drama lovers are thoroughly enjoying their turn at the Hippodrome this week, where big crowds have welcomed Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company in the new romantic play, “A Son of the Sea.” A romance of the Cornish coast, the story has a picturesque background, which is capitally portrayed, and the solemn impressiveness of some of the scenes, with the real human touch and vivid realism of the various incidents make an impression that will linger long in the memory. The acting is splendid all round, Mr. Clifford Rean giving a thoughtful study of Paul Tregarron; Richard Tregarron is vigorously presented by Mr. J. Fulton-Millar; Miss Dorothy Kirk, Miss Maud Steeples, Miss Clara Spillward [sic – Spillard?], Mr. Edmond O’Grady, and others skilfully sustain their respective roles. “A Son of the Sea” will draw immensely to-night (Friday) and Saturday night’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 2 November 1918.

‘The Hippodrome has been favoured with very big crowds this week, and the welcome accorded Will H. Glaze and Wilson Benge’s company in their latest play, “The Girl who Changed Her Mind,” has been decidedly enthusiastic and appreciative. The plot is centred round happenings in the early stages of the war, and in addition to a strong love interest provides stimulation for patriotic emotion. The play is well acted. Mr. Wilson Benge figures in a highly cultured impersonation of Dennis Royston; his bete noir, Captain Cave, is played in finished style by Mr. Jerrold Ord; Miss Sadie Smith is sweetly sympathetic as Ruth Vallender, and other roles are ably filled. Tonight (Friday), by special request, a beautiful drama, “John Raymond’s Daughter,” will be staged, and on Saturday “The Girl who Changed her Mind” will again be presented’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, 21 December 1918.

‘The Hippodrome has been favoured with very big crowds this week, and the welcome accorded Will H. Glaze and Wilson Benge’s company in their latest play, “The Girl who Changed Her Mind,” has been decidedly enthusiastic and appreciative … Tonight (Friday), by special request, a beautiful drama, “John Raymond’s Daughter,” will be staged, and on Saturday “The Girl who Changed her Mind” will again be presented’. South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, Saturday 21 December 1918.

Twice nightly

6.50 & 9.00 Twice nightly. F. G. Kimberley's New Topical Drama "A Soldier's Divorce" by Mrs. F. G. Kimberley. Author of "The Little Grey Home in the West," "Just a Little Pair of Shoes," "A Spy in the Ranks." First class production. Full cast of Recognised Artistes. (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough and Swinton Times - Saturday 29 November 1919)

The South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, Saturday 11 December 1920, advertised at the Mexborough Hippodrome for the week beginning Monday 13 December Arthur Hinton’s repertoire company in Temptation on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; The Black Sheep of the Family on Wednesday; Moths on Thursday; and Trilby on Friday.