Hippodrome, Stockton-on-Tees

The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 28 August 1916, advertised at the Hippodrome, Stockton ‘Monday August 28th, and during the week: Magini [and] Company present their Latest London Successful Revue, “Stop Press,” including the following well-known artistes – Kitty Major, Tom Major, Margot Myne, Leo Lyon, George Brooks, Sisters Wyse, Betty Kitts, George Lawrence. Topical Budget of Passing Events’. Also, ‘One of London’s latest successful revues, “Stop Press,” by Messrs J. and R. Hargreaves, is presented by Messrs Magini and Company [at the Hippodrome, Stockton]. It is a bright, sparkling comedy, and not the least outstanding of its features are its music and dancing. Kitty and Tom Major, Betty Kitts, George Lawrence, the Sisters Wyse, all take important individual parts, and are supported by a good chorus. The Verdun Troupe of Dancers are very smart. Lily and Itt appear in a funny and original comedy act’ (Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 29 August 1916).

‘There is a special attraction this week [at the Hippodrome, Stockton] in the great play “The Man Who Stayed at Home,” which deals with the events of the moment. The two important characters are “the man who stayed at home” and the head of the German spies. The Englishman scents a dark intrigue in the interests of the “Fatherland” and represents himself as a timid, feather-brained Britisher. This puts the spy completely off his guard, and half his devices are thwarted before discovers that the “fool” is a man of infinitely greater nerve and resource than himself. The company, which is comprised of a number of powerful artistes, is the same that has visited the leading provincial towns in a most successful tour. The play has been performed over 1,600 times’. Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 10 October 1916.