Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
29 Mar 1915 When There Was War Professional
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‘Hilda Beverley and company occupy the boards here [the Royal, Barnsley] with When There Was War! played twice nightly'. The Stage, 1 April 1915.
13 Apr 1915 The Spirit Of John Walker Unknown
19 Apr 1915 Joy - Sister of Mercy Professional
4 Oct 1915 Home Once More Professional
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When Lionel Balmont advertised Home Once More in The Stage, 7 October 1915, his address was the T.R., Barnsley, and he noted, ‘Opened here to the usual good houses, despite opposition’. Also, ‘Emma Litchfield’s company occupy the boards here [the Royal, Barnsley] with Home Once More, played twice nightly. S. P. Goodyer-Kettley gives a capital portrayal of Captain Geoffrey Forrester, and Conrad E. Stratford of Lieut. Eric Lorraine. The part of Lieut. Aubrey Neilson is well undertaken by Lionel Balmont, Tom H. Solly doing good work as Jack Anderson. Emma Litchfield excellently portrays Mary Lorraine, and Ena Newham is suitably cast as Stella Richmond. Praise is also due to Lillie Livesey as Yvette D’Arville, Larry Clements as Barney McChree, and Chas. Edwards as Detective Kirkby. The piece is well dressed and staged’ (The Stage, 7 October 1915).
17 Feb 1916 Keep the Home Fires Burning Unknown
13 Mar 1916 The Woman Pays - Back Professional
27 Apr 1916 Her Only Son Unknown
8 May 1916 Pals Professional
22 May 1916 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
21 Aug 1916 Should a Woman Forgive? Professional
11 Sep 1916 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘The Black Sheep of the Family is the title of a gripping drama which occupies the boards at the popular Wellington street playhouse [the Theatre Royal] this week. It is a new and up-to-date drama, and is being produced before good audiences, who follow it with keen interest. Mr. Arthur Hinton, an actor of great capability, sustains the title role as “Ralph Sylvester.” He is turned away from home chiefly through the evil plotting of his younger brother (Lionel), who is eager to become heir to the property of his father, “Lord Arlingham.” Ralph becomes associated with a pack of vagabonds in New York, but, however, meets a loyal friend in “Loyale Dare,” and after many hardships returns home to hear that his brother Lionel had shot himself before the police could got hold of him. It is a most exciting play, and is cleverly pourtrayed [sic] by Mr. Arthur Hinton Limited’s Company. There are many artistes worthy of mention who assist Mr. Arthur Linton [sic]. Miss Ethel Manton [sic] ably fulfils the role of “Loyale Dare,” Mr. J. Knox [sic] “Lionel Sylvester,” Mr. Chauncy Morris “Lord Arlingham,” Mr. Louis Weston “Jobson,” and Mrs. Henry Gascoigne “Lady Arlingham,” are also very prominent’. Barnsley Independent, 16 September 1916.
18 Sep 1916 When Love Creeps In Your Heart Professional
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Performed by Leonard Mortimer's Company.
27 Nov 1916 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
4 Dec 1916 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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‘Next week’s attraction is The Unmarried Mother. This latest drama which deals; with one of the burning questions of the present day is sure to meet with great success. It will be produced by Mr. Oswald Cray’s Company of talented artistes’ (Barnsley Independent, 2 December 1916). Noted in The Era, 6 December 1916: ‘well acted by a capable company’.
26 Dec 1916 The Fishermaid of Old St Malo Professional
2 Apr 1917 Within Our Gates [For Motherland] Professional
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The Stage, 5 April 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 2 April at the Royal, Barnsley.
23 Apr 1917 The Third Man Unknown
24 Dec 1917 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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The Era, 19 December 1917, listed The Black Sheep of the Family as On The Road from 24 December at the T.R., Barnsley; and The Stage, 3 January 1918, listed The Black Sheep of the Family as On Tour from 31 December at the Royal, Barnsley; presumably in each case with Arthur Hinton's touring company. When Arthur Hinton advertised in The Stage, 3 January 1918, for theatres for The Black Sheep of the Family his address was the T.R., Barnsley.
7 Jan 1918 A Broken Doll Professional
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(The Stage, Thursday 22 November 1917)
1 Mar 1918 Fortunes of Eileen Unknown
1 Jul 1918 On Leave For His Wedding Professional
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‘At the Theatre Royal, this week, Mr. E. Vivian Edmonds is producing Her Luck in London … Continuing his season at the Theatre Royal, Mr. Edmonds will next week stage, On Leave for His Wedding, a great military drama written by Clifford Rean, author of many successes. Mr. Edmonds will take the role of “Captain Derrick Tressillian,” and Miss Gladys Ford-Hewitt will portray the part of “Marvis Hope.” There are scenes in France and the drama promises to meet with a very cordial reception’. Barnsley Independent, 29 June 1918.
15 Jul 1918 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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Performed from 15-20 by E. Vivian Edmonds (company manager, author and actor), Gladys Ford-Howitt (co-producer and actress). The cast was: Reggie Travers ... Mr E. Vivian Edmonds "Bill Blower" ... Mr. Frank Fountain Eric Mullins ... Mr. Rupert W. H. Corri Enoch Hargraves ... Mr. John F. Preston Mr. Smith ... Mr. J. Adrian Byrne Samuel Butterworth ... Mr Fred G. Kay Billy Blair ... Mr. Ernest Vasey Fritz ... Mr. Ernest C. Winn Mr. Sykes ... Mr. Tom Howard Rhoda Hargraves ... Miss Minnie Watersford Matilda Hargraves ... Miss Florence Davis Lilian Alice Jenks ... Miss H. Graham Edwins Mary Darling ... Miss Gladys Ford-Howitt The company included two 'discharged heroes' (Barnsley Independent 20 July 1918) ‘The repertory season at the Theatre Royal is coming to an end, and Mr. E. Vivian Edmonds, Barnsley’s most popular acting manager, is, after producing 19 successful plays in 15 weeks, about to crown his wonderful record by producing his latest play, entitled 'Called Up'. During the repertory season the work must have been very strenuous, and we can only wonder that after having done so well Mr. Edmonds has managed to write a new play, which we are sure will be a success. During his stay in Barnsley he has produced some excellent plays, and never once has he failed to put them on in a style worthy of a first-class London theatre.' (Barnsley Independent, 13 July 1918)
28 Oct 1918 How Do You Like It? Professional
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The Barnsley Independent, 26 October 1918, advertised at the Theatre Royal, Barnsley on Monday 28 October and during the week ‘Mrs. Kimberley & Frank Liston Present Mrs. Kimberley’s Topical Skit Revue – How Do You Like It. Special Company, headed by Ruby Kimberley, Ruby Bradford, Tom H. Solly, Sid Dean, Lil [sic] Clifford, Eric Wingfield, Fred Bentley, Louis Gaye, Five Weetmans, Speciality Dancers. Full Chorus, Farmyard Animals, etc. Special Scenery and effects’. Also: ‘How do you Like it ? the revue which Mrs. Kimberley and Mr. Frank Liston are producing at the Theatre this week is a very pleasing show. Miss Ruby Kimberley, Miss Ruby Bradford, Miss Lill Clifford, and Mr. Eric Wingfield sing splendid songs, and the comedy element is in the capable bands of Messrs. Tom H. Solly and Louis Gaye. Other parts are well alloted [sic], the Five Weetmans are excellent dossers. and malty specialities are introduced’ (Barnsley Independent, 2 November 1918).
2 Jan 1919 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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The Barnsley Independent, 28 December 1918, advertised at the Theatre Royal, Barnsley, for the week beginning 30 December the ‘special engagement of Arthur Hinton and Company’ in A Broken Doll on Monday-Wednesday, The Black Sheep of the Family on Thursday and Saturday, and The Sorrows of Satan on Friday night only. ‘Drama lovers are excellently catered for at the Theatre Royal this week and the productions of Mr. Arthur Hinton and his company are attracting very satisfactory houses. Last night (Thursday), The Black Sheep of the Family was greatly to the liking of patrons. To-night (Friday), by special request, The Sorrows of Satan will be presented, whilst the week closes with The Black Sheep of the Family. Mr. Hinton is a warm favourite with local theatre-goers and he is supported by Miss Ethel Monton and a capable company’ (Barnsley Independent, 4 January 1919).
3 Feb 1919 His Last Leave Professional
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Advertised in the Barnsley Independent, 1 February 1919: ‘Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Co. Presents the Most Realistic Play of the Times – His Last Leave. By Clifford Rean’. Also: ‘Excellent business continues to be done at the Theatre Royal, where the attraction this week is His Last Leave, a stirring war drama with a strong human interest. It is well produced by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, and is being greatly appreciated. All the characters are well sustained’ (Barnsley Independent, 8 February 1919).
12 May 1919 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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Performed 12-24 May 1919. Notice for the Royal Theatre, Barnsley, ‘E. Vivian Edmonds and company occupy the boards here with Coming Home, played twice nightly. This play was produced here some time ago with success under the title of Called Up, and to judge by the reception on Monday evening, it has lost none of its popularity. Mr. Edmonds and Gladys Ford-Howitt portray the chief parts with ability, and receive excellent support from a capable company’ (Stage, 15 May 1919)
29 Dec 1919 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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The Barnsley Independent, Saturday 27 December 1919, advertised that at the Theatre Royal in the week beginning 29 December Arthur Hinton would present The Black Sheep of the Family on Monday and Tuesday, Betrayed on Wednesday and Thursday and A Broken Doll on Friday and Saturday. A news item in the same issue of the newspaper conformed the split of the week and reported that in the week just finishing the company had staged His Indian Wife.
23 Aug 1920 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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E. Vivian Edmond's Company performing for two weeks here. (23 August - 4 September)
7 May 1928 Seven Days Leave Professional
12 Aug 1938 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘The Charles Denville Players, who have given so much pleasure to Barnsley and district audiences throughout this summer open their thirteenth week of Repertory at the Theatre Royal with that brilliant stage and film success, “Blackmail” [which] will be presented on the first four days of the week, from Monday to Thursday inclusive. “The Black Sheep of the Family,” a hilarious comedy which has scored a splendid triumph in London and the Provinces, is due for production on Friday and Saturday’ (South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times, Friday 5 August 1938). The author of the play is not named, so there is no certainty that it was Gladys Hastings Walton, but no other play with the same title was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. However, the Denville Stock Company / Denville Players did perform Gladys Hastings Walton’s play at the Victoria Opera House, Burnley, 15-20 May 1922; the Hippodrome, Burslem, 26 June – 1 July 1922; the Hippodrome, Wallasey, 10-15 July 1922; the Hippodrome, Margate, 8-13 February 1926; and the Theatre Royal, Barry, 22-27 March 1926.