Grand Theatre, Southampton

‘The attraction at the Grand Theatre [Southampton] next week will be Messrs. Alick Chumley and A. Russell-Davis’ Company in Mr. H. B. Irving’s phenomenally successful play, “Searchlights” by Horace Annesley Vachell. “Searchlights” is not a war play, but one with which the war has a good deal to do. The principal characters are a prosperous Englishman and his wife. There is a son who seems to be made of rather poor stuff, but his mother is devoted to him, and he is suddenly inspired to manliness by the outbreak of the war, from which he returns wounded. He is not, however, the son of his mother’s husband, and the revelation of this fact brings painful developments, which are worked out in very human and very thrilling style, ending eventually in forgiveness and reconciliation. The Company, which is an exceptionally strong one, will include Mr. Alick Chumley, who will appear in Mr. Irving’s part of Robert Blaine, and Mr. A. Russell-Davis, who will sustain the role of Sir Adalbert Schmaltz, a wealthy German friend of Blaine’s, who afterwards alters his name to Sir Keith Howard, on the outbreak of hostilities. Included in the cast will also be Miss Edith Pither, Miss Mary Griffiths, Miss Deborah Norton, Mr. Paul Hansell, Mr. Robert Miller, Mr. Albert Marks, and Miss Rosemary Rees, who, as the Hon. Mrs. Blaine, is provided with one of the best parts this delightful actress had ever played. The scenery and effects will be a reproduction of those used at the Savoy Theatre’ (Hampshire Independent, 10 July 1915). Noted in The Stage, 15 July 1915. 'The other night Mr. Vachell paid for and occupied a box at the Grand Theatre, Southampton, where his play was being enacted. After the “show” he sent his card to the manager, and on that functionary appearing Mr. Vachell congratulated the company on the production of the play, which he said was as good as that at the Savoy' (Dudley Chronicle, 14 August 1915).

The Stage, 5 August 1915, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home (Vedrenne and Eadie) as On Tour from 2 August at the Grand, Southampton.

Mr. C. Watson Mill presents the play of the moment, In Time of War. The play produced with the greatest success at the Lyceum Theatre, London.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co. Reviewers: "fine play ...attracting large audiences"

Advertised in the Hampshire Advertiser, 6 October 1917, as ‘The Great Naval Drama of to-day’, ‘A melodrama of the purest type’ and ‘A skilful blend of thrills on land and sea’. ‘A great, and enthusiastic reception has been given to the melo-dramatic play at the Grand Theatre this week, entitled “For Sweethearts and Wives.” Mr. Arthur Rosebery has woven a most interesting, alluring and patriotic story. He has selected for the hero an engineer officer of one of our battleships. He is first introduced as a young inventor, who presumes for the hand of a daughter of his master, a great ship builder, thus incurring his great hostility and that of his confidential clerk, a German spy. In the end the young engineer succeeds in distinguishing himself, and claims his heart’s desire. A good many novelties are introduced into the scene, notably, the interior of a “U” boat while in action. It is exceedingly attractive, and the play is cleverly presented and well acted. How the hero triumphs over the foe, runs the spy to earth, wins the approval of all his fellow men and the woman he loves is told in four exciting acts, through a series of interesting scenes that introduce us to the shipbuilder’s office, the birthplace of battleships, the quarter-deck, the “U” boat, and the church by the sea for “Sweethearts and Wives.” Mr. Jackson Hayes takes the hero’s part in a thoroughly manly manner; and very clever indeed is Miss Nina Oldfield and Miss Julie Kennard. The comic touches are very amusing’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 13 October 1917).

Previewed in the Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday 6 April 1918. ‘“Bubbly,” at the Grand Theatre this week, bubbles over with sparkling and artistic amusement. There is decidedly method and merriment in the mad fun of “Bubbly,” and it is truly delightful. Peace Time Prophecies and the story of Old Bill are irresistible. There is not a dull moment anywhere, and the artistes are simply perfection' (Hampshire Advertiser, 13 April 1918).

'There seems to be a generally prevailing opinion that now peace has come on the scene spy-plays will retire from the stage. That remains to be proved ... One which the Armistice caught in mid-career was 'The Hidden Hand' ... Although there is nothing about it of a specially novel character ... it is strongly sensational and some of the acting is eminently effective.' (Southern Daily Echo, 26 November 1918)

At the Grand Theatre, Southampton ‘A return visit from Bubbly is the attraction. In addition to Ivy Tresmand, who made a decided hit on her last appearance here, the company again include that clever comedian, Edmund Russell, Ernest Seebold, and Edith Payne. Newcomers are Kathlene Martyn (a pleasing soubrette) and Florence Bayfield, who, like Ivy Tresmand, was in the original cast of Bubbly at. the Comedy’ (The Stage, 13 February 1919).

Previewed in the Hampshire Advertiser, 24 May 1919. ‘[At the Grand, Southampton] Frederick G. Lloyd presents the revue, “Tails Up,” cast including Jack Leopold. Edwin Adeler, Bert Moncks, Phillis Beadon, Edith Pearson, and Hilda Simpson’. The Era, 28 May 1919.

Arthur Hardy (producer), Vernon Fortescue (actor), Marjorie Murray (actress), Philip Knox (actor), Garrett Hollock (actor), Arthur E. Owen (actor), Ethel Gordon (actress), Jack Steward (actor) 'This play..is exceedingly novel and clever. It has a good story, the action is rapid and direct, the tension is steadily maintained, while, although the serious interest largely predominates, there are scattered about pleasant little passages of comedy, which serve admirably to lighten the graver aspects of the plot. There are no pretensions to emotional drama, or intellectual exercise, or delicate fancy - it is a good, honest, exciting, amusing thrilling play...' (Hampshire Advertiser, 5 July 1919)

Performed for the week by Thos. C. Dagnall's company including: J. Lawrence Anderson (actor), Evelyn Ormonde (actress), Dorothy Clifton (actress), Alfred Harding (actor)

For six nights.

Performed for six nights.

The Hampshire Advertiser, 29 January 1927, advertised Martin Harvey’s company at the Grand Theatre, Southampton, the following week; they would perform “The Showing Up of Blanco Posnet” and “Ib and Little Christina” on Thursday and Friday evenings.