Empire, Bristol

Performed by the Six Brothers Luck company.

Performed from Boxing Day through to 2 January 1915 by a cast including: Mr O. E. Lennon, Fred Toozen, Fred Mozelle, Arthur Reynolds, Harry Taylor, Frank Rickards, George Spry, R. H. Douglass, Nell Gower, Mollie Adair, Milly Peers, and Kitty Colyer. Produced by Harry Day and under the direction of Edward Lauri.

‘[An] item of special interest in the programme this week is the patriotic sketch, “Naturalised," by Horace Hunter and Co., which is very cleverly acted and thoroughly up-to-date. James Hilton is the private secretary and interpreter to Sir John Shelton of the Alien Investigation Department, and although speaking with a foreign accent, he has been in the service so long and naturalised so many years that any suspicion against him is ignored. But Sir John's son, who has displeased the old official by refusing to enlist, is by no means a duffer, and the story develops with very interesting results. As Dick Shelton, Horace Hunter scores a great success, and the interpreter is cleverly impersonated by Henry Latimer, while Miss Lily Hammersley as the future Mrs Shelton is quite entertaining’. Western Daily Press, 19 January 1915.

Western Daily Press, Tuesday 6 April 1915: at The Empire, [Bristol?], ‘Shirley and Ransome presented “The Cockney Episode” one o’ Kitchener’s’.

Fred. Clayden introduced an illusion styled "The Mystery Gun" and Walter Stanley is an amusing comedian. (The Stage - Thursday 24 February 1916)

Performed here from 6-12 November 1916 by George Ralls (comedian), Nellie Turner, Jimmy Hooper, Phil Lester, Andy Clark, The Gilt Edged Octette, E.A. Vincent, Jenny Barker & Martel. Other acts on the same bill were: The Donaldson Brothers in "Sports in a Jungle", Kid Love (sand dancer & singer).

At the Empire next week Lew Lake will present Charlie Rich and a talented company in a musical extravaganza entitled "The Didn't Want To Do It." The production is in five scenes, and the book and lyrics are by Arthur Rose. The cast includes Freddie Malcolm, Forest Tell, Claude Gardner, W.E.Phillips, Ada Terry, Dorothy Wheeler, and Elsie Roby, and a full chorus of trained vocals. The variety turns for the week include Vespers Violets, an impressive musical scena, Bonnett and Corri comedy jugglers, and Dolly Dreadland, comedienne. (Western Daily Press - Saturday 3 February 1917)

'Margot Delan .. was extremely successful in her clever business with the spy and his accomplice. It is a fine acting episode and she is well aided by her partners in the scene.' (Western Daily Press, 23 October 1917)

Whilst the revised script for the touring performance was licensed to be performance at the Grand Theatre, Hanley the first performance took place in Bristol. Esta Stella replaced Gertie Millar in the cast.

‘“Jolly Times,” the musical revue which Mr Harry Goodson, by arrangement with Harry Day, presents for the first time on any stage at the Empire this week is full of good things. Prominent in it is that clever artist, Jos. Alexandre, and in “Jolly Times” he gives of his best. His military funny sayings and interludes are many and varied, and all the time he was on the boards the audience laughed hugely. He has a smart and whimsical ally in Billie Fiman who enters in the laughter-making items of the review with much zest. Striking features of “Jolly Times” are the many original war-time, clever details crowded into it. Florence Williams as a W.A.A.C. and Madge Merle as the canteen superintendent add considerably to the success of the performance and contribute several songs. Adrian Burgon as Private Malcomb sings well and successfully, and one of the most effective spectacular efforts is included with his much-applauded vocalisation of “The Brave Old Contemptibles.” There are many others who keep the vim and swing of the revue going merrily. Charles L. Vivian as the Major aids with ability in the unravelling of the little scheme running through it. A most effective scene is that of the Parisian dancing salon and cafe. Particularly funny was the semi-serious address in camp by Jos Alexandre and the accompanying .chorus of gentlemen. A capital full chorus aids in the presentment of the revue, which was remarkably well received last night and is likely to draw big houses during the week There are also in the programme Vesey and Campbell (cross-patter comedians) and the Topical Gazette. The matinee is on Wednesday’ (Western Daily Press, 19 November 1918). ‘The plot is not the chief asset in the revue, for though the Great War is referred to both in the past and present stage, and there is a dash of romance (the Hon. Owen Malcomb marries Julia in spite of her being on the stage and in spite of Lord Hugh Malcomb threatening to disinherit him if he does so) it is fun fast and furious that makes the appeal to the audience. Of course, Joe Alexandre trots out his concertina, but he can be forgiven, for he plays the accompaniment to “Lady Sue” sung by Mr Adrian Burgon, which is one of the most popular numbers of the performance. Sergt. Squibs is also armed with a whole arsenal of humorous gags that he fires off with a full measure of success. He also gets a whole procession of laughs in the Waiter stunt, in which he is ably seconded by Billie Fiman, very funny as Moppitup. Miss Dolly Vernon is a very amusing Muriel, and might with advantage be given more to do. As Julia, Miss Florence Williams is both dainty and dashing, and she scores well both with “Down in Borneo Isle” and “I’ve Been Walking Out with My W.A.A.C,” the full chorus very ably assisting the latter. Mr. Adrian Burgon has a picturesque part as the Hon. Owen Malcomb, and is heard to advantage in “Sometimes You Get a Good One,” as well as in his droll work with Miss Florence Williams. Mrs. Madge Merle scores all the time as Sadie Gerrard, and does not overdo her American accent, while no one in the revue has a more pleasing stage presence. She sings “Oh! Man” capitally, but her great hit is “I Don’t Want to Get Well.” Mr. Charles L. Vivian has a straight part as Lord Malcomb, and plays it on sound lines. There is a first-rate chorus, and the production, which is well dressed, should prove a winner’ (The Era, 20 November 1918, which noted that the book was by Harry Goring and John A. Howitt; the music was by Charles Moore and Max Darewski; and the cast was Billie Fiman, Dolly Vernon, Florence Williams, Adrian Burgon, Madge Merle, Chas. L. Vivian and Joe Alexandre). ‘Tickets for the Inquiry Bureau’s special “Recognition” matinée to discharged men at the Empire Saturday are limited by the seating capacity of the building, and the principle of “first come, first served,” must of necessity rule the distribution. The Empire has been placed at the disposal of the Bureau for the affair, and, further, the orchestra and staff are all generously giving their services in order to do honour to the men who did their share in the fighting in the early days. The programme will be provided by the “Jolly Times” Company, who are presenting such a successful show at the Empire this week’ (Western Daily Press, 22 November 1918).

‘The Empire. Revue makes way at the Old Market Street House this week for a series of most attractive variety turns. That delightful and, quaint trench episode by Captain Bairnsfather, “The Johnson ‘Ole” has a leading place in the programme and it went very well with last night’s full houses. As Old Bill (the Walrus) Harry Thurston makes the business in “Plug Street Trench” brimful of droll and laughable events, added to which his facial expressions are so finely adapted to the part he plays. He had a hearty reception when the curtain fell on the funny finale. He has able allies in W. P. Sheen (“our Bert”), Leonard May (“our ‘Arry”), George D. Daiper (“The Officer”), Terry Hooker (“Alf”), and Albert Norville (Fatigue Man)’. Western Daily Press, Tuesday 1 April 1919.

‘The attractive holiday programme at the Old Market Street House this week [the Empire] drew capacity houses last night. The musical burlesque “Jolly Times” heads the bill, and is quite in keeping with its title, for during the time that the five scenes are being unfolded merriment abounds. Joseph Alexandre who takes a leading part in the play was given a cordial welcome on his reappearance in Bristol last night: he has an able ally in Joseph Victor, and their funny business kept the audience in continuous good humour. There are others who have leading parts, including Madge Merle and Peter McSweeney, who add to the vim of “Jolly Times.” The billet scene is one calculated to make a doleful man smile. As “Sergt. Squibbs” Joseph Alexandre has a part that suits him admirably, and he gets a whole budget of fun out of this camp episode, and “Mopp it up,” Joseph Victor is a smart partner with him. There is some nice male voice singing in this scene and also a very tuneful solo by Peter McSweeney. The last named artist has also other good songs, and the house applauded him very heartily for his vocalisation of “Brave old contemptibles,” to which there is added effective tableaux. Another vocalist who much pleased is Madge Merle, whose songs, “Everything is peaches down in Georgia,” and “Have a smile” were particularly well received. The lady who plays the part of “Mopp it up’s Wife,” and Cassie King as “Muriel,” Chas. Vivian as “Lord Malcombe” are others in the cast who add to the success of the burlesque. In the “outpost scene” there is a very laughable interlude by Joseph Alexandre and Joseph Victor, and this is followed by an effective “dancing saloon” scene. In addition to “Jolly Times ‘ there are varieties by Arthur Seaten, who is a smart whistler and raconteur; Jenny Robbins sings two taking songs, and the Topical Gazette is also in the interesting programme. The matinée is on Wednesday’. Western Daily Press, 5 August 1919.

‘… In the “Stories gone wrong” scena Rita Webber, as the precocious child, and Vyvian Pedlar, as the father, are both good, and the “Ole Bill” sketch was exceedingly well played. Miss Edith Payne makes a decidedly humorous study of the landlady’s servant, and her versatility as an actress is clearly instanced by her later appearance in the peace time episode as the Major’s wife. Mr. Edw. Steadman plays “Ole Bill” in the former item, and in both personalities he made a big appeal’ (Western Daily Press, 23 March 1920). At the Empire, Bristol ‘“Bubbly” is a pleasing revue, owing much of its success to Phyllis Whitney, R. Barrett Lennard, Vyvian Pedlar, Edward Steadman, Edith Payne, Elsie Stevens, Lauri Aster, and Rita Webber’ (The Stage, 25 March 1920).