King's Theatre, Longsight, Manchester

The Stage, 28 October 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (North Co.) as On Tour from 1 November at the King’s, Longsight. Also: ‘Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vaughan’s company are playing successfully here [the King’s, Longsight, Manchester] in Mrs. Kimberley’s latest characteristic drama,” The Little Grey Home in the West,” which is packed with picturesque and exciting incident (The Era, 3 November 1915). Also reported in The Stage, 4 November 1915. Named cast members were Edward E. Ashby (Cecil Standing), Madge Douglas (Mrs. Bryant) and Ernest Vaughan (Jack [sic – Dick] Bryant).

The play was premiered here and performed through to at least 11 May. A review in the 'Manchester Evening News' commented that ‘'Within Our Gates', which is produced for the first time at the King’s Theatre, is a thrilling story of the menace this country by foreign spies. The authoress, Miss Dorothy Lloyd Townrow, has handled the subject in good style. Charles Locke’s company is a very strong one, the leads in particular being in the hands of the right people, of whom Mr. Locke and Miss Cynthia Merton are the most prominent' (2 May 1916). In 'The Era' a critic commented that ''Within Our Gates' is, as its title suggests, a drama dealing with the spy peril during the present period war, and pointing its moral (that German spies should be rooted out) by a lurid example of enemy treachery on the eve of the outbreak in August 1914. Plot and characters are much the same as we have grown well acquainted with during this prolific season of war plays' (3 May 1916). 'The Stage' was not as positive and commented that 'War episodes are plentiful on the melodramatic stage, and are now beginning to lose the early grip they had at the commencement of the war. The authoress of 'Within Our Gates' is apparently not an adept at stage technique, and too-often repetition of sentences is to be heard' (11 May 1916).

Advertised in the Manchester Evening News, 4 December 1916.Also, ‘At the King’s Theatre Miss Emma Litchfield and Co. score a success in a patriotic play, “Home Once More”‘ (Manchester Evening News, 5 December 1916).

‘“Stop Press,” with Tom and Kit Major in the cast, is one long scream at the King’s Theatre’. Manchester Evening News, 12 December 1916.

Twice nightly

The Manchester Evening News, 19 February 1917, advertised ‘Charles Locke Presents For Motherland’ at the King’s Theatre, Longsight.

‘“Stop Press,” which is performed by Messrs. Magini and Major’s company, is proving successful [at the King’s, Manchester]. Fred Anderson, the only male artist in the piece, is particularly active. Kitty Major, Ennis Myne, Nellie Gwinnell, Amy Pollard, and the Dorothy Troupe of dancers also contribute’. The Stage, 27 September 1917.

‘A stirring up-to-date naval drama, “For Sweethearts and Wives,” is given at the King’s, Longsight, and meets with well-deserved success’ (Manchester Evening News, 27 November 1917). ‘It is an interesting and powerful play, and has the advantage of being elegantly staged’ (The Stage, 29 November 1917).

‘At the King’s Theatre, Longsight, “Rosy Island,” a new musical comedy, is the attraction. Prominent in a capable company are Lily Ennis, James McKay, and Tubby Stevens’. Manchester Evening News, 25 June 1918.

The Era, 28 August 1918, listed How Do You Like It as On The Road from 2 September at the Kgs., Longsight.