Empire, Newcastle

Performed for the week, cast including Kitty Colyner, and R. H. Douglass. Performances twice nightly 6.45 and 9pm with a matinee Saturday 2.30.

(The Stage - Thursday 04 November 1915)

Newcastle Cast includes George French, Lafayette Rannsley, Syd Crossley, Dorothy Monkman, Connie Kaye, Anna Dorothy, and a cast of 50 Artistes. (Newcastle Daily Chronicle – Wednesday 2 February 1916)

This is notable as the play is not listed bottom of the bill as it had been previously. Others in the same bill included: Mark Sheridan-One of the B'hoys in new songs, Les Trombettes, Sophie Forrest, Maggie Benson, Thorpe & Co, Bioscope, Arthur Lennard, The Keystone Cyclists (see 'Newcastle Daily Journal', 26 June 1916)

‘Theatregoers will welcome the return to the stage of Miss Camille Clifford (the Hon. Mrs. Lyndhurst Bruce) the creator of the “Gibson Girl” and her famous walk. She will present at the Empire a new act entitled “The Girl of the Future,” a musical fantasy written by Harold Simpson. In “The Girl of the Future” Miss Clifford will wear some wonderful dress creations by Lucille [sic – Lucile]' (Newcastle Journal, 18 November 1916). ‘Miss Clifford, the creator of “The Gibson Girl,” makes her re-entree on the stage at the Newcastle Empire, and she had the most appreciative welcomes from large audiences. She appeals in “The Girl of the Future,” in which she depicts with characteristic artistry and coyness the modern girl who prefers fox-trots to graceful minuets and cigarette smoking to sedate study. The contrasts introduced are well managed, and Miss Clifford shows her old skill in the part, and introduces the Gibson Girl walk, of which she was the originator on the stage’ (Newcastle Journal, 21 November 1916).

Two performances nightly. Tues. wed. and Saturday at 1.30. Gigantic national revue Powerful cast including Walter Passmore. (Newecastle Daily Chronicle - Monday 21 May 1917)

Performed for the week by George Hestor (actor), Winnie Collins (actress), Ethel Arden (actress), D. Frostick (actress), Nat Lewis (actor).

Performers:Fred Kitchen, Nora Delany

‘“Rations” is the latest Karno production at the Empire, and is a revue which deals with a topical subject. There is ample scope for fun, and it is dished up with a liberal hand. The incidents in the Tank Day scene are the most humorous of all. Bobb [sic] Wilton is chief fun-dispenser, and he is most successful in that line. The principal female part is entrusted to Miss Winnie Collins, a clever young serio-comedienne' (Newcastle Journal, 30 April 1918). ‘One of the most laughable performances in the realm of topical nonsense is to be seen at the Empire Theatre, Newcastle, this week. It is a Fred Karno production, bearing the significant title, “Rations.” The name gives the clue to the fun, a fact which in itself is rather out of the common. There is no elaborate scenery, and no picturesque opulence in dress, but in lieu of these conventional garnishings there is an abundance of fun. The travesties on rationing are smart, and the dialogue is crisp and full of humour. Robb Wilton is the mirth-maker, and he keeps the audience in hilarious mood with a talent that bespeaks the real comedian. Winnie Collins, a lively artist with a very attractive presence, pleases greatly by her songs and dances' (Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 30 April 1918).

Performers: Fred Kitchen

‘After a run of pantomime and revue, a variety programme is presented this week at the Empire Theatre, Newcastle. There is a fresh introduction to “Old Bill” of “The Better ‘Ole” fame in a one-act sketch entitled “The Johnson ‘Ole”; but the audience did not seem to respond to the humour of it as they did to the earlier production in war time by Capt. Bruce Bairnsfather. Most people wish to forget the war, and so they are not easily interested now by trench episodes on the stage. Mr. Harry Thurston plays his original part of Old Bill’. Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 11 February 1919.

‘There was a typical programme at the Empire last night for a holiday crowd, when everyone feels too tired to do anything but laugh. It was headed by Charles Austin, whose series of Parker frivolities are very well known on the variety stage. This time it was “Parker’s Appeal,” which it always is as a matter of fact, and it was an up-to-date sketch, with any number of amusing trifles, witticisms and burlesques, and a stock of lively situations for the comedian. Needless to say, it went well’. Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 10 June 1919.