Collins' Music Hall, Islington, London

‘At Collins’s last week Kitts and Windrum headed the bill with The Slacker, a play on the present War which has already been favourably noticed in our columns. The sketch pleasantly combines pathos and humour, and Charles Kitts as the Slacker is seen to good advantage’. The Stage, 28 January 1915.

'So obviously a piece with a purpose that one hesitates to deal it as a contribution to the ordinary traffic of the stage. In a certain sense it may be said to have some relation to the recently produced munitions play called 'War Mates', since it deals with practically the same subject from another point of view. Whether that point of view is a right or a wrong one need not be fully discussed in the columns of a strictly theatrical journal ... [it] will have to be largely overhauled before it can carry any lasting conviction as a sermon on War economy. The author, to say nothing of several instances of unconscious humour, has treated his subject in a manner that lays him open to the argument that he seeks to indict a whole class for the folly and short-sightedness of the few' (Stage, 13 January 1916). Cast included Elsie Craig, E. Rayson-Cousens, Frank Denis, Andrew Smith, Richard Bosco and Leslie Hamilton .

Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.

When Stanley James, at present managing Magini and Co’s Stop Press revue, inserted an advertisement in The Stage, 11 May 1916, his address for the following week was Collins’s, Islington. Similarly an advertisement inserted by Tom Major seeking a carpenter.

When Fred Malcolm, playing Bobby in 'They Didn't Want To Do It', inserted a variety card in The Era, 24 January 1917, his address was Collins's, Islington.

Performed by: Mary Mayfren (Ottiie Van Heyden), Gertrude Le Sage (Meyrow Schmucker), Frank Tennant (British Flight Lieutenant), John MacMahon (German officer), Huntley Gifford (Cockney Tommy), Kathleen Henry (Lizette). Reviews: "This is one of the most thrilling one-act plays it has been our lot to witness, for Mr John G Brandon has written a play that grips throughout." | "Miss Mary Mayfren ... achieved quite a personal triumph. At times with delightful reserve, and at others with flaming scourn, her performance was highly meritorious." | "an ovation for all concerned at the close".

A review of this run notes that the piece has "been winning golden opinions at various London and provincial halls, [and] has the merit of being a particularly bright and amusing entertainment" (The Stage, 20 September 1917)

The Stage, 16 May 1918, advertised ‘Managers and Agents, See Mary Neil in her latest comedy study “Nell’s Luck.” “Is a brief, almost too brief, little play, acted with true humour by Miss Mary Neil.” – Vide Referee. “An amusing little piece followed with intense interest, punctuated with hearty laughter and applause.” – Stage. This, Surrey (7.30 and 9.30); next, Collins’.

Performed for the week.

‘It evidently takes more than an influenza epidemic to keep Islington from its amusements, for Collins’s was packed to the doors long before the curtain went up for the first house on Monday. We agree with Islington - it was certainly worth risking, if only to see our friend Parker conducting his appeal at the tribunal. Such good fun is never out of date, even though tribunals happily are, and Charles Austin, who gets every ounce of fun out of every incident, could keep “Parker’s Appeal” going for years. We suggest, however, he should try his hand at “Parker’s Demobilisation.” It seems fruitful’. The Era, 5 March 1919.

Twice nightly. Dorothy Mullord Repertory Company ('The Era', 25 July 1923, p. 13)

Advertised in The Era, 20 January 1926, performed by the North London Players (direction, Dorothy Mullord). ‘The story of [sic] which forms the attraction at Collins’ next week commencing Monday, January 25th. deals with one of those problems which were so common during the days of the Great War - the problem of the girl whose lover was suddenly summoned back to the front before a marriage could be performed, after they had loved not wisely but too well - and how fate intervened and the woman was left to bear her shame alone. Miss Winifred Felix-Pitt will appear as Eileen Beahe [sic], the unmarried mother, and Mr. Victor Lorraine as the father of her child. The part of her true friend in her misfortune will be taken by Miss Nancy Newell as Ethel Chalmers, while Mr. T. Arthur Ellis will appear as her jovial Irish sweetheart, Lieut. Dennis Allen, R.A.M.C. The stern father, John Chalmers, and his long suffering wife will be assumed by Mr. Wingold Lawrence, and Miss Gladys Gaunt, while the dirty dog of the play, Gerald Beahe [sic], will find a sound exponent in Mr. Herbert Evelyn. The comedy will be in the clever hands of Mr. Billy Owen as Jimmy, a student of the noble art, dodging work, and Miss Hargaret [sic] Taylor as his doting wife. Drama and comedy are cleverly mingled in this play that had a very successful run on its presentation at the Hippodrome, Rotherhithe, and it should be seen by all those in want of an evening’s good entertainment at Collins’ next week’ (Holloway Press, 22 January 1926). Also noted with a cast list in the Holloway Press, 29 January 1926.

Advertised in The Era, 28 April 1926, presented by the North London Players (Direction, Dorothy Mullord).