Pier Theatre, Eastbourne

Performers: Cecile Barclay, Rupert Lister

‘When There Was War is the title of the play which forms the attraction at the Pier next week, and should, we think, be the cause of excellent business. It is founded, of course, on the only topic of interest today, the great war. But, in addition to that, it is founded on real incidents, which make it grip with an intensity seldom found in a drama written on a topic, being an exposure of the German espionage system, of which so much has been heard lately, and the results of which are so far-reaching ... A vein of bright and sparkling comedy runs throughout which is always in good taste, while the Germain and British uniforms give the final touch of realism which is so essential to this type of play’ (Eastbourne Chronicle, 20 February 1915). ‘A Study of the European Conflict. The new and original melodrama presented by Miss Hilda Beverley & Company at the Pier Theatre for the first four nights of this week is a fascinating one, and deals mainly with the crisis in Europe. The plot exposes the detestable system of espionage that the Germans have brought to perfection, and is unfolded in four acts and a number of scenes ... On Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday afternoon, the same company will present “The White Girl Slave,” a play dealing with White Slave traffic(?)’ (Eastbourne Gazette, 24 February 1915). ‘This new play, which was presented in the Pavilion during the first four nights of the week by Miss Hilda Beverley and company, is suggestive of the old type of melo-drama, of which so little is seen now-a-days. Dealing with the great war, the play demonstrates in a forcible manner the unremitting and despicable methods of the German espionage system, in which the desperate plotting of Gretchen Gesner, head of the spies, and Fritz Baumgarten, of the German Army, is successfully combatted by the hero, Capt. Leigh, and his trusty friends. Before the downfall of the villainous couple is finally assured, however, the audience undergoes the thrills of many strange and exciting incidents, and so tenaciously do the spies stick to their work that it is not without considerable strategy that they are out-witted. The company reproduced the drama with marked ability ... Last evening Joseph M. Wharncliffe’s stirring drama, The White Girl Slave, was presented' (Eastbourne Chronicle, 27 February 1915).

The Man Who Stayed at Home ‘will be performed for the first time in Eastbourne at the Pier Theatre next week, and will no doubt attract much attention. “The Man who Stayed at Home” deals with the present anxious time ... to those of our manhood who have nobly responded to the call of arms, and those who for various reasons have not yet responded to the call, “The Man who Stayed at Home” will prove of vital interest. … Mr. Taylor Platt, who is so closely associated with the Royalty Theatre, London, is responsible for the production …’ (Eastbourne Gazette, 2 June 1915). ‘The play is thrilling and at the same time amusing. It reflects the England of to-day, and is undoubtedly the play of the moment, showing the devices used by the spies. It appeals to old and young alike, the civilian as much as to the soldier; and although it deals with war-time, there is no suggestion of the horrors of the battlefield. On Monday evening the play was received with undoubted favour by an appreciative audience who revelled in the humour the story, and the masterly manner in which “the man who stayed at home” circumvented the enemies of his country’ (Eastbourne Gazette, 9 June 1915).

The Eastbourne Gazette, 4 August 1915, advertised that week at the Pier Theatre ‘E. Taylor Platt (by arrangement with Vedrenne and Eadie) presents The Successful Royalty Theatre Spy Play – The Man Who Stayed at Home ... Now playing to crowded houses at the Royalty, London'.

‘Local playgoers will welcome the announcement that the Pier management have secured Messrs. Alick Chumley and A. Russell-Davis’s company in Mr. H. B. Irving’s great success “Searchlights” for the first three nights of next week, with a matinée on the Wednesday, The author, Mr. Horace Annesley Vachell, who has long been acknowledged as one of our most successful English playwrights, has excelled himself in “Searchlights” and provided Mr. Irving with one of the best parts in his career. “Searchlights” is not a war play, although it touches on it - it would well-nigh impossible to write a modern play that did not. It deals principally with the life of one Robert Blaine, whose marriage was one of convenience, and his wife, who had been bought by wealth, but could not be controlled by the same agency. The company that Messrs. Chumley and Davis are bringing with them is one of exceptional strength. Mr. Russell-Davis will be seen as Robert Blaine, and Mr. R. M. Dalzell will appear as Sir Adalbert Schmaltz. The cast will also include Mr. Paul Hansell, Mr. Robert Miller, Mr. Albert Marks, Miss Mary Griffiths, Miss Edith Pither, Miss Deborah Norton; and that well-known actress. Miss Rosemary Rees, will have a part after her own heart in the Hon. Mrs. Blaine. The scenery and effects will be a reproduction of those used at the Savoy Theatre’ (Eastbourne Gazette, Wednesday 20 October 1915). ‘On Monday, Tuesday and yesterday and evenings and yesterday afternoon Alick Chumley and A. Russell-Davis’s company gave the first local performances of Searchlights, A. Russell-Davis himself appearing as Robert Blaine, and receiving capital support from R. M. Dalzel (Sir Adalbert Schmaltz), Arthur Bell (Harry Blaine), Rosemary Rees (well cast as the Hon. Mrs. Blaine), Mary Griffiths (Lady Schmaltz), Edith Pither (Phoebe Schmaltz), Stacey Gaunt (Dr. Firmin), and Albert Marks (Moneypenny)’ (The Stage, 28 October 1915). ‘Mr. A. Vachell’s new play, Searchlights, which was reproduced in the Pier Theatre during the first part of the week by Mr. Alick Chumley and Mr. Russell Davies’s Company, is primarily a light type of domestic drama, with a number of finely drawn characters. It is a duel between a harsh, cold, calculating business man and politician and his wife, as the result of an unhappy marriage. As a contrast to the estranged life of Robert and Mrs. Blaine is the happy relations of a naturalised German and his family, and between the two widely differing aspects of life we have an entertaining play. Mr. Russell Davies as “Robert Blaine,” Miss Rosemary Rees as “Mrs. Blaine,” Mr. R. M. Dalzel as “Schmaltz” were highly successful in the principal parts, while Miss Edith Pither as “Phoebe Schmaltz” and Mr. Arthur Bell as “Harry Blaine” were also prominent’ (Eastbourne Chronicle, 30 October 1915).

‘The Taylor Platt company, still under the acting-management of Alex. Clifton, are paying a third visit with The Man Who Stayed at Home, last seen here in August, Charles Troode (Christopher Brent), Hilda Francks (Mrs. Sanderson), Russell Bendle (Fritz), Dorothy Hall (Fraulein Schroeder), Christine Jensen (Miss Myrtle), Mary Lincoln (Molly Preston), Grahame Herington (John Preston), J. Farries Moss (Percival Pennicuik), and Edith Cuthbert (Daphne Kidlington) repeating their former successes, and the cast being admirably completed by Charles H. Mortimer (Carl Sanderson), Amy Elstob (Miriam Leigh), and Herbert Rouen (Corporal)'. The Stage, 27 April 1916.

Eastbourne Gazette - Wednesday 05 July 1916 p7 Pier Theatre, Eastbourne 3 – 8 July 1916 Performances will be given each evening this week at 8. and matinees to-day (Wednesday) and Saturday at 3. “The Kiss Cure” is preceded by an interesting one-act comedy The Man Who Stayed at a Hotel. p4 do. Presented by Mr. Harold Neilson Eastbourne Chronicle - Saturday 08 July 1916 p3 The Pier, Eastbourne 3 – 8 July 1916 THE PIER. "THE CURE." An exhilarating comedy … Mr. Arnold Raynor, as the cold, unenterprising lover, "Peter Carey," gives a very droll study, … The comedy is preceded by a pleasing one-act play, The Man who Stayed at an Hotel. The company conclude their engagement to-day with performances at 3 and 8.

The Era, 18 and 25 April 1917, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home (Red) as On The Road from 23 April at the Pier, Eastbourne. Also The Stage, 19 and 26 April 1917. Previewed in the Eastbourne Gazette, 18 April 1917, which listed the actors: Clifford Marle, Arthur Grenville, C. Laverack-Brown, J. Edward Pearce, Malcolm Cumming, Hilda Francks, Valerie Richards, Christine Cooper, Frances Waring, Ethel Coleridge, Edith Cuthbert. ‘Previous visits of [The Man Who Stayed at Home] to the Pier Theatre proved very acceptable to Eastbourne audiences, and on Monday evening there was every sign that interest in the doings of Christopher Brent (the man who stayed at home) shows but little sign waning, the large audience being delighted with the thrilling episodes in one of the most successful plays of the times … Although the play is dramatic and intensely interesting, there is a welcome vein of genial humour which lightens the story’ (Eastbourne Gazette, 25 April 1917).

‘“Searchlights” is one the few plays that grow in interest and strength right down to the very final scene, a fact which makes it remarkably impressive. This excellent play, of which Mr. Horace Annesley Vachell is the author, is a war play, but not an ordinary war play. It is one of exceptional merit, and one which allows its onlookers an insight into the lives of two families ... The play is being presented by Mr. Robert Brasher, and is well played by the artists responsible for the various characters. As Robert Blane, the successful business man, but rather less successful in matrimony, Mr. Arthur Bawtree scores a distinct success; and he is ably supported by Miss Edith Hunter as his wife. One of best parts of the play is the charming comedy touch of Miss Mary Griffiths as Lady Schmaltz, the wife of the naturalised German, and Mr. James Willoughby, as her husband, Sir Adalbert Schmaltz, K.C.V.O., provides plenty of humour. Mr. Robert Brasher, in the role of Harry Blane, is particularly successful, while the Phoebe Schmaltz of Miss Nancy Pertlybridge [sic – presumaby Pethybridge] is another excellent piece of acting. The remainder of the cast is excellently handled, and those who have not seen “Searchlights” should take the opportunity that still remains of doing so' (Eastbourne Gazette, 20 June 1917).

The Eastbourne Gazette, 8 August 1917, advertised Percy Hutchison and Hilda Trevelyan in A Kiss for Cinderella at the Pier Theatre, Eastbourne commencing Monday 13 August for six nights and two matinees. The Eastbourne Gazette, 15 August 1917, published a review of the production: ‘The play is brought down by Mr. Percy Hutchison, supported by his Kingsway Theatre company, including Miss Hilda Trevelyan in her original part of Cinderella. This will be the only appearance of Mr. Hutchison and Miss Trevelyan in the play this autumn’.

‘Tears and smiles are blended in the skilful manner that is typical of Horace Annesley Vachell in “Searchlights,” which commenced a successful week at the Pier Theatre on Monday. The main thread of the story is the discovery by a great financier that his son is really the child of a V.C. hero, who, before a glorious death in the Boer War, had won the love of the financier’s wife. The revelation, not unexpected, causes tense moments in the later acts, and it is here that Miss Edith Hunter as Mrs Blain, and Arthur Bawtree as Robert Blain, by their very naturalness, hold the audience spellbound. Mr. Robert Brasher gives a fine picture of Harry Blain, the antithesis of his rich “father.” The play has a war flavour in so far as Harry’s participation in the Mons Retreat makes at once an invalid and a man of him. The lighter part of the story is sketched in by the Schmaltz family. As the name implies their origin is German, though naturalisation has made them Scotch. Mr. Leo Caselli as Sir Adalber [sic] Schmaltz, K.C.V.O., is exceedingly fanny, while Miss Mary Griffiths gives an excellent picture of his “frau,” affectionate, and placid but without humour. Their sunny lovable daughter Phoebe is played by Miss Nancy Pethybridge' (Eastbourne Gazette, 5 September 1917). ‘Robert Brasher presents, for the third time locally, “Searchlights” this week [at the Pier Theatre, Eastbourne]. Arthur Bawtree (Robert Blain), Robert Brasher (Harry Blain), Edith Hunter (Mrs. Blain), Mary Griffiths (Lady Schmaltz), Nancy Pethybridge (Phoebe Schmaltz), John Rentell (Dr. Firmin), Owen Wallace (Moneypenny), Maud Scott (Fewson), and Lilian Grosvenor (Nurse) repeat their impersonations of June last, the only new member being Leo Casselli (Sir Adalbert Schmaltz)’ (The Stage, 6 September 1917).

The Stage, 19 and 26 September 1918, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home as On Tour from 23 September at the Pier, Eastbourne – but in practice only for the first three nights Monday-Wednesday, 23-25 September, as Taylor Platt’s company was performing at Worthing for the rest of the week.

Noted in The Stage, 19 June 1919.

Performed by Brasher's company for the week: Robert Brasher (actor), Carlton Hutchinson (actor), Desmond O'Neill (actor), Brendan O'Sullivan (actor), Harry Gilbey (actor), Stephen Jack (actor), C.B. Keston (actor), Olivia Glynn (actress), Vera McCallum (actress)

Performed for three nights with matinee Saturday.