Grand, Brighton

‘Having regard to the large number of soldiers in the neighbourhood, no more appropriate fare could be provided than that supplied this week at the Grand [Brighton], where Mrs. Frank Bateman’s company are presenting the war drama A Woman in Khaki. Mrs. Bateman is appearing with conspicuous success as the Woman, and the hero is strikingly impersonated by Mr. Fred Goddard. Others in the case are Mr. Harry Aynsleigh, Miss Flora Hastings, Miss Lilian Lovell, Mr. Bert Daniels, Mr. Percy Shaw, Mr. Valentine Henry, Mr. G. Beale, Miss Marion Vyner, Mr. Chas. Adeson, and Miss Lily Adeson. Sapho is announced for tomorrow (Friday)’. The Stage, 22 April 1915.

A review in The Stage (5 August 1915) commented that the play was 'enthusiastically received at both performances on Monday. this up-to-date War drama is exceptionally well staged, and the many sensational episodes it contains are made the most of by those responsible for the chief parts'. The parts were played by Maud Linden, Eric Morden, Dorothy Mullord (as Mimi), Adrian Lovett, Bartlett Garth, Francis. B. Oliver, Gwendoline Verschoyle, and Lena Nazeby.

The Era, 27 October 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (South) as On The Road from 1 November at the Grand, Brighton. Also The Stage, 28 October 1915. Reported separately in The Stage, 4 November 1915. Named cast members were Gerald Henson (Cecil Standing), Frank Eaglesfield (Robert Standing), George Fry (Dick Bryant), Edgar Morgan (Jack Hartley), Beryl Grey (Mary Bryant), Nancy Newall (Peggy Bryant), Harry Howard (Duggie), J. E. Tomlinson, J. J. Tennent, G. Rodney, Ada Roscoe and Carlotta Anson.

‘The Grand is occupied by Oswald Cray’s company, who are giving an excellent performance of the drama, The Unmarried Mother. Daisy Cook is distinguishing herself as Eileen, and other parts are well taken by Victor Millard, Mr. Lewis, Harry C. Robinson, J. H. Clyndes, Richard Lennard, Alan Carruthers, Mary Ainsley, Olive Jeffery, and Mrs. Henry Renouf’. The Stage, 20 April 1916.

The Era, 15 November 1916, noted that Mrs Frank Bateman’s company was appearing in Somebody Knows, Somebody Cares that week at the Grand Theatre, Brighton.

At the Grand Oswald Cray’s drama, “The Wife With Two Husbands,” is drawing excellently well’. Sporting Times, 2 December 1916.

‘This week “Neither Wife Nor Maid” is being presented by Ernest R. Abbott’s company, with Ada Abbott, the authoress in the leading rôle. That lady is ably supported by Herbert Barrs (Steve Warden), W. H. Davis-Brown (“Boney”), Cecil Gray (Curley Saunders), Ernest Ryder (Lord Kingdon), James Thompson (the Rev. Peter Cordiner), Grace Stafford (Lady Kingdon), Agnes Kingston (the Dowager Lady Kingdon), Nellie Crowther (Tommy), Marion Holly (Eliza), Edward Keene (Portal), and Isabel Singleton (the housekeeper’. The Stage, 22 February 1917. Also The Era, 21 February 1917.

‘Mr G. Carlton Wallace’s exciting drama, The Enemy in Our Midst, provides the Grand with a very strong card, and the interest is maintained at fever pitch throughout. The realistic representation of a great Zeppelin rail [sic – raid] , in which British guns and bi-plane give battle in the sky, arouses tremendous enthusiasm. The author appears as Basil Stanhope, and Miss Evelyn Carleton contributes an appealing rendering of Elsie Carstone’. The Era, 28 March 1917.

The Era, 25 April 1917, listed Somewhere A Heart Is Breaking as On The Road from 23 April at the Grand, Brighton.

‘“The Black Sheep of the Family” is being played at the Grand [Brighton] by Arthur Hinton’s company, with Hubert Barwell in the name part, and Ethel Morton [sic] as Loyale Dare’. The Stage, 17 May 1917.

When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 8 November 1917, for a theatre for 19 November for For Motherland, his address that week was the Grand, Brighton.

Noted in The Era, 13 February 1918, produced by William Glaze and his company and with the author Clifford Rean playing his own chief character.

The Era, 10 April 1918, listed Deliver the Goods as On The Road from 15 April at the G., Brighton; similarly The Stage, 18 April 1918. And when Leonard Mortimer advertised in The Stage, 18 April 1918, for theatres for Deliver the Goods, his address was the Grand Theatre, Brighton. The play was ‘the Strongest Topical Comedy Play ever toured … Mr. Leonard Mortimer and an All-star Cast. The comedy alone in this Production makes many revues seem feeble. The Play as strong as concrete; the Cast a genuine London one; the Scenery worthy of any West End production. 24th week of continued Successful, Record-smashing Run ... A Challenge! No stronger Comedy Revue-Play than “Deliver the Goods” touring’.

‘“His Last Leave,” well staged and mounted, gains much applause. Presented by Mr. Will Glaze's company, directed by Mr. F. E. Chabot, the fine company includes Mr. Jack Evelyn, Mr. Wright Scadden [sic -Scaddan], Mr. Albert Caron, Mr. F. Luard, Mr. James May, Mr. Fred Chabot, Mr. George Smith, Miss Lena Brand, Miss Millie Phillips, Miss Lilian Fenn’. The Era, 8 May 1918.

The Stage, 20 June 1918, advertised ‘Mrs. Kimberley and Frank Liston Present Mrs. Kimberley’s Topical Skit Revue, in Four Skits, How Do You Like It? Special Cast, featuring Miss Ruby Kimberley, Misses Adeline Raby, Lill Clifford, Ruby Bradford, Tom Solly, Geo. Millard, Eric Wingfield. Company of 38 now engaged. Production next week at Grand T., Brighton. Managers and Agents, please see the show. No expense spared to make it a huge success. Wanted, Dates, July 22, Aug. 12, and on, with exceptions. Only best Musical Theatres and Halls entertained’. Also: ‘Mrs. F. G. Kimberley’s new topical revue How Do You Like It? is being presented at the Grand, Brighton, by Mrs. Kimberley and Frank Liston. The company are headed by Ruby Kimberley, and include Adeline Raby, Ruby Bradford, Tom H. Solly, Lill Cliford, Ruby Mildred, Eric Wingfield, George Millard, and the Five Weetmans. The scenery and dresses are unusually good, and the songs are excellent. Miss Kimberley’s contributions were enthusiastically applauded on Monday, and the clever young artist was presented with a handsome basket of flowers. The humorous element is in the safe hands of Tom H. Solly and George Millard, who keep things going in fine style, their scene in a Dug-out being exceedingly funny. The performance goes splendidly throughout, and Mrs. Kimberley has scored another undoubted success’ (The Stage, 27 June 1918).

This performance (theatre and start date) is included in a list of forthcoming performances of “Married on Leave” in The Stage of Thursday 1 August 1918. The Era of Wednesday 16 October 1918 noted that “Married on Leave” was ‘on the road’ at the Grand, Brighton from 21 October.

The Stage, 31 October 1918, listed Real Sports as On Tour from 28 October at the G., Brighton.

Performed 10-15 March and possibly also week of 18 March.