Hippodrome, Dover

‘“All’s Well” is a revue presented by Messrs. Florio and Co. at the Royal Hippodrome, Snargate Street, this week. The whole is in three scenes and there are some good songs and dances. The dresses are pretty, and the music bright and tuneful. The following is the cast:- “William Harrison” (a retired and successful tradesman, now found financing a revue), Mr. Ashley Sinclair; “Jack Tranem” (the manager and controller of the production), Mr. Hal Whitby; “Mr. Horatio Toppomley” (Press representative), Mr. Frank Danby; “Blobb’s” (Harrison’s trusty servant), Mr. Al. Brown; “Pedro” (an Italian tenor), Mr. Alex Vello; “Kitty Foxtrot” (the leading lady of the revue), Miss Dolly McCalla; “Rita Vernon” (a charming member of the company), Miss Mabel Brough; “Mamie Gould” (the revue ballad singer), Miss Mamie Gould; and a specially selected company of attractive chorus ladies’ (Dover Express, 14 January 1916). Also reviewed in the Dover Chronicle, 22 January 1916. An advertisement inserted by the producers Florio and Co. in The Era, 9 February 1916, claimed that All’s Well ‘played to packed houses at the Hippodrome, Dover, 4 weeks ago, despite the Taube raid'.

Performed between 20 and 26 March 1916.

‘This week there is another fine revue at the Royal Hippodrome, presented by Magini and Co. in five scenes. It is brim full of fun and humour and there is never a dull moment from start to finish. Mr. Tom Major, Mr. Jack Warman, Mr. George Lawrence, Miss Kitty Major, Miss Gladys Ainsley, and Miss Edna Clyde are the principal entertainers and they are ably backed up by a splendid chorus. All the songs and choruses are well sung, and the dancing is of the best. The scenery is very effective, and the dresses very elaborate’. Dover Express, 12 May 1916.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co. Reviews: "fine military drama"

‘“The Black Sheep of the Family, an up-to-date drama, by Gladys Hastings Walton, is being produced this week at the Royal Hippodrome by Mr. Arthur Hinton’s company. The heroine is “ Loyal Dave,” [sic] which part is in the hands of a most capable actress, Miss Ethel Monton. “Ralph Silvester” [sic] (otherwise “The Black Sheep”) is a character splendidly acted by Mr. Arthur Hinton. The following well known artistes take the other roles:- Mr. Harry T. Wood, Mr. Henry Ward, Mr. Leslie Steward, Mr. John Hignett, Mr. R. Powell James, Mr. Harry Deane, Mr. Geo. Willing, Mr. Arthur Acton, Mr. Oscar Lynee [sic], Miss A. Bland, Miss Lily Harold [sic], Miss Peggy Courtney and Miss Laura Weight [sic]’. Dover Express, 23 November 1917.

The Dover Express, Friday 8 February 1918, advertised at the Royal Hippodrome ‘Very Important Engagement! Mr. Leonard Mortimer And Full No. 1 Company, in the Great During & After the War Play, Deliver The Goods. A True Moving Story of Selfishness and Sacrifice. A Magnificent Appeal for the Future Prosperity of our Brave Sons when they return in Hundreds of Thousands from across the Sea. Written by an Ordinary Britisher'. Also: ‘Mr. Leonard Mortimer’s full No. 1 Company have been playing “Deliver the Goods” this week to crowded houses, twice nightly, at the Royal Hippodrome. The play, which is described as being written by “an ordinary Britisher,” is one dealing with events during “during and after” the war, and its object is to make an appeal for the future prosperity of our brave soldier lads on their return from the war. The plot is full of incidents, and it is cleverly acted by an excellent company' (Dover Express, 15 February 1918).

Advertised in the Dover Express, 5 April 1918: ‘Extra Special Attraction! For Adults Only. No Person under the age of 16 admitted to see this Play. Mr Oswald Cray presents the Great Problem Play on the Burning Question of the Day - The Unmarried Mother by C Vernon Proctor'. Also: ‘The experiment of producing a problem play was tried this week at the Hippodrome, where Mr. Oswald Cray presented “The Unmarried Mother,” by C. Vernon Proctor. The subject deals with one of the serious problems of the hour, and is ably acted by a cast which includes the following well-known artistes:- Mr. Archie Grant, Mr. Frank V. Venn, Mr. H. A. Langlois, Mr. Conrad Clerke, Miss Edna Lester, Miss Amy Wood, Miss Florrie MacInnes, Mr. Allan Carruthers, Mr. James Astor, and Miss Laurie Adair’ (Dover Express, 12 April 1918).

Advertised in the Dover Express, 31 May 1918, as ‘Captain Baker presents his burlesque Recruiting One-Act Playlet “A Cushy Job,” by E. C. Baker’. Also, ‘Another good variety programme is the feature this week at the Royal Hippodrome. Captain Baker is presenting his burlesque recruiting one-act playlet, “A Cushy Job,” by E. C. Baker; Tom E. Hannon gives light comedy songs; whilst Billy Mannie and Fay Toots provide a programme of “mirth, melody movement and mimicry.” The Robertsons (Billie and Gaye), vocalists and dancers, also appear: and Waltini, the mirthful mystic, is a great hit’ (Dover Express, 7 June 1918).

‘“His Last Leave,” a war-time drama, with a strong home interest, is being played by Mr. Will Glaze’s company. The thrilling situations that abound are well acted by Miss Minnie [sic - Millie] Phillips, Miss Lilian Fern, Mr. H. W. Scadden [sic -Scaddan] and Mr. Albert Caron, who fill the principal parts. Others who do much to make the play a success in the other parts are Miss Lena Brand, Messrs. F. Luard, J. Evelyn, J. May, G. Smith and F. E. Chabot’. Dover Express, 28 June 1918.

Reported with cast list in the Dover Express, 16 August 1918.

Noted in The Era, 4 September 1918.