Theatre Royal, Worthing

The Era, 2 August 1916, advertised The Man Who Stayed at Home (Red) as On The Road from 7 August at the T.R., Worthing. The Worthing Gazette, 2 August 1916, advertised ‘The Successful Royalty Theatre Spy Play’ The Man Who Stayed at Home on the following Monday-Wednesday [7-9 August] at the Worthing Theatre.

‘An alternative title is provided for the revue that is being presented at the Theatre this week. Keeping On is its main description, whilst the supplementary name is How Do You Like It? If we may judge from the merry laughter that was extorted from the occupants of pit and gallery on Monday evening, on the occasion of the introductory performance, then we may interpret the judgment as “Very much indeed!” The revue is the work of Mrs. Kimberley, dramatic author and Lessee of the Grand Theatre at Brighton, and the Company engaged in its representation is jointly controlled by herself and Mr. Frank Liston. Of the four acts the second and fourth are the more picturesque, the one representing a farmyard and the other a room in a hotel after the War; whilst the third is a dug-out, and is admittedly a skit on “The Better ‘Ole.” Humour, tunefulness, and dancing are provided in abundance, the principal characters consisting of Miss Ruby Kimberley (a dainty performer), Mr. Reggie Dingle, Mr. Sid Dean, Miss Ruby Bradford, Miss Lil [sic] Clifford, and Messrs. Eric Wingfield, Fred Bentley, and Fred Round. There is one lady of a grotesque type and another possessed of most massive charms, and her appearance in the guise of a little girl was received with shrieks of laughter. Mr. Wilfred Knowles is the Musical Director, the Chorus being a capable one; and a distinctive feature is the zestful dancing of the Five Weetmans, the youngest members of the Company. Several of the musical numbers were applauded with the greatest enthusiasm, these including “A Long, Long Time,” “Smoke Clouds,” “When the Peace Bells Ring,” “When the Red, Red Dawn is Shining,” and “The Bells are Ringing”’. Worthing Gazette, 27 November 1918.

The Stage, 17 and 24 July 1919, listed Bubbly as On Tour from 21 July at the R., Worthing. ‘What delightful entertainment is provided by Bubbly, the musical production which has been secured by the Management of the Theatre for the whole of the present week. It possesses novel elements, and is quite different from anything else we have seen. Much cleverness has been exhibited in its construction, with the result that a veritable feast of enjoyment is furnished. There are no fewer than eleven “bubbles” in the two acts, and nothing more acceptable of the lighter form of entertainment has been seen here for a very long time. There is no consecutive plot, but a series of episodes, among the most diverting of which are the burlesque dramas, Old Bill on his return to civil life, and “The Comforts of Home.” The book is by J. Hastings Turner and the music by Philip Braham, and the production sparkles from beginning to end. The piece is now in the third year of its tour, and Mr. Ralph Haslam has provided it with a splendid setting, the Company now in possession of the Theatre being under the direction of Mr. Augustus Bingham ... Bubbly is most admirably placed upon the stage, and so mirthful a form of entertainment deserves to secure a succession of large and appreciative audiences’ (Worthing Gazette, 23 July 1919).

The Stage, 11 September 1919, listed Nurse Benson as On Tour from 15 September at the Kur, Bognor, for three nights, and at the R., Worthing, also for three nights. Advertised in the Worthing Gazette, Wednesday 17 September 1919, for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Noted in The Era, 17 September 1919, as performed ‘during the end of the week’.

Presented by Robert Brasher. Performed for the week.

Performed by the London company with Martin Harvey for one night only.

Performed Thursday-Saturday with two performances Saturday

Performed by the Imperial Players for three nights, Monday-Wednesday.