Palace, Leicester

Advertised in the Leicester Daily Mercury, 18 November 1916: ‘In Five Magnificent Scenes. A Powerful Cast includes James Learmouth, Arthur Roberts, Jennie Hartley, Billy Caryll, Dorothy Grey, Stafford Dickens, Will Hyde, And an Army of Singers and Dancers’. Also: ‘There were large houses at the Palace last night to see the revue, “Look Who’s Here,” from the London Opera House. The scenery and dresses were the same as used in London, and the concerted music and lyrics were pretty and tuneful. A revue, to succeed, must have a good deal of fun in its composition, and James Learmouth as Billy Peppercorn and Bill Caryll as Apostrophe H. Jares [sic] take the lion’s share of the work, being very successful in their laudable efforts to keep the house amused. Their particular triumph was in the fourth scene, when, as Max and Moritz, with their “merry” men in a German trench, they gave full rein to well-written jokes. “Selling a House” was also a humorous interlude. Miss Jennie Hartley, as Lady Ethel Wallace West, was the leading lady, and was responsible for some smart work, her songs, “Ragtime Hopping in Kent,” “My Kentucky Home,” and “Welcome Home” being well received. Miss Dorothy Grey as Florrie was also a favourite, having some good numbers in “I wonder if you love me,” “In apple-blossom time,” and “Let me live for tonight.” Miss Sybil Westmacott, was good as the Hon. Millicent Hume, and other characters were in capable hands. The chorus was a good one, and well-trained, and as has been indicated, the stage setting of the various scenes was very effective' (Leicester Daily Post, 21 November 1916). '... at the close Miss Jennie Hartley is responsible for a special musical “suggestion,” Tommy’s “Welcome Home”’ (Leicester Journal, 24 November 1916).

Zomah, "the woman who tells you anything," pays a return visit to Leicester Palace after her interesting engagement here some months ago. Those who then failed to see this remarkable act have now the chance of making up for lost time or opportunity. Not since the days of the Zancigs have a music-hall audience been so puzzled by a thought-reading display. When the discussion with regard to the Zancigs was at its height, M. and Mde. Zomah went to see the performance, alleged to 'due to a clever system of codes, and M.Zomah was more than ever convinced that true telepathy needed no talking to help it out. He then experimented assiduously with his wife, and at the end of two years the results were fairly sure. But it took them seven years to reach their present state of perfection. The Royal Gotham Quartette, also due, came to London 22 years ago from America. They were not "royal" then. A "command" performance entitles them to add the prefix nowadays. Only one of the original team, Frank Parker remains. Frank and Vesta, the champion American dancers (son and daughter of that fine pantomimist. Frank Boise," are booked, and the merry and ever-welcome Duncan and Godfrey are engaged to present their lovable Cockney conversation concerning, "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." It is not too much to say that the names of Arthur Duncan and Minnie Godfrey are household words in many parts of the world. They are equally welcome in far-away Australia, South Africa, and India as they are in London, and their dialect is just as readily understood in our Colonies as it is in any English town. Ask any member of our overseas forces if he has seen Duncan and Godfrey and the answer is sure to be 'seen them? I should say why, they take me right home to the Tivoli, Sydney.' Or it may be the variation will be 'The Empire Jo'burg,' or 'Bandsman's Calcutta.' Duncan and Godfrey are known at all three and more besides. Among other artistes due in the same bill are jack Kellino, May Edney, and Spensel Brothers. (Midland Mail - Friday 25 January 1918) It may be asserted that never has a more mystifying and more thoroughly fascinating performance been witnessed in Leicester than that afforded by Zomah, who pays a return visit to the Palace. Zomah is "the woman who tells you anything," and whatever may be the key to this deeply concealed mystery, the exploits are certainly impressive, and her partner who is doubtless a far less negligible factor in the scheme of things than he would have one suppose, have achieved a great deal in bringing the idea of thought transference within the realms of popular conception. Baffling it is, but whatever the explanation it would not in the least detract from its high standard of ingenuity. If, as it is said, seven years were spent in perfecting the show, the inventors are amply rewarded by the bewildered interest it has aroused. The Royal Gothams and humour are terms as inseparable as the Siamese twins. Their performance this week is as "side-splitting" as ever. As a party of humorists and vocalists they are incomparable. Of the many novel dances given by Frank and Vesta Cohen's Rag is worthy of particular mention. Besides an effective get up Frank's action is eminently characteristic. Of the remaining turns Duncan and Godfrey in a truly amusing sketch "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar," is worth witnessing. ( Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 29 January 1918)