Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
29 Mar 1915 Joy - Sister of Mercy Professional
6 Apr 1915 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
12 Jul 1915 Remember Belgium [licensed as 'George Grant'] Professional
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‘The battlefields of Belgium have been made the scene of a military drama which is attracting good houses to the Hippodrome. It is entitled “Remember Belgium,” and the exhortation is carried on through eight scenes. The story is that of a German spy, who, posing as an accredited newspaper correspondent, is allowed much nearer the scene of active operations than would be the case in actual warfare. Stage licence permits such things, however, and the little play is just now very attractive. During one scene there is a tremendous “bombardment,” and such a lavish expenditure of good gunpowder in other ways that the whole theatre smells of it. One of the chief characters, a colonel in the British army, introduces several patriotic appeals for recruits, and generally the drama is hot and strong throughout. Mr. and Mrs. Percy Brown’s company carry the little play along very smoothly and effectively. Mr. Percy Brown himself plays the part of the German spy, and his endeavours are so successful that he draws upon himself the audible condemnation of the audience'. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 13 July 1915.
14 Nov 1915 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Twice nightly.
29 Nov 1915 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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‘Although Eileen repeatedly proclaims the “rights” of the mother – married or unmarried – and the sacredness of motherhood, yet the play presents to the unmarried mother the way out of her difficulties – marriage. A thoroughly orthodox conclusion’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 30 November 1915.
13 Dec 1915 Mary from Tipperary Professional
10 Apr 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Era, 5 and 12 April 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West (South) as On The Road from 10 April at the H., Huddersfield.
17 Apr 1916 Home Once More Professional
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‘A new play by Miss Emma Litchfield is presented by the authoress at the Hippodrome this week. “Home Once More” is a thrilling story of a good woman’s triumph over the schemes of the villainess, who tries to steal from her the love of her husband ... With several highly farcical situations and the introduction of patriotic sentiment with the advice “keep on waving the flag” the play makes a capital two hours’ entertainment. The play is very well produced. Miss Emma Litchfield herself takes the part of the heroine, and Mr. S. P. Goodyer Kettley is a fine stage hero. As the villainess Miss Ena Newham was highly successful, and Miss Lillie Livesey was a charming Yvette. Mr. A. B. Lyons and Mr. Tom H. Solly were both good comedians, and the parts of Lieut. Lorraine and Lieut. Aubrey Neilson were well taken by Mr. Conrad E. Stratford and Mr. Lionel Balmont. There should be good houses at the Hippodrome this week’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 18 April 1916.
15 May 1916 His Mother's Rosary Professional
22 May 1916 Pals Professional
9 Jun 1916 Anno Domini Unknown
10 Jul 1916 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘Quite one of the best dramas that has been seen at the Hippodrome for some time is being staged there this week. It has the somewhat melodramatic title of “The Black Sheep of the Family,” but although there are a few lapses into the melodramatic and the farcical in the story, on the whole it is good sound drama above the ordinary level in merit of the twice nightly production. The situations are not very much strained for the purpose of getting effect; and the lines are often well written. In view of the fact that the period of the drama ranges from 1913 to 1916 and concerns the affairs of a noble British family, it is not altogether surprising that the war is brought into the story, but this is done only to show that “the black sheep always make the best fighters.” Mention of the war allows the authoress (Miss Gladys Hastings Walton) to get in some neat comment on “neutrality.” In other respects the drama, although cast somewhat on the usual lines, is raised above the mediocre. The comedy is kept in its proper place in relation to the other elements in the story. On the whole the drama is well worth seeing. It well acted. Mr. Arthur Hinton plays “the black sheep” very successfully, and Miss Ethel Monton as Loyale Dare, an American heiress, acts quite convincingly. The authoress, Miss Gladys Hastings Walton, appears in the smaller part of Mary Leigh, a housemaid around whose betrayal the whale story revolves. Other parts are played Mrs. Henry Gascogne, Miss Nina Mallam, Miss Beatrice Annersley, Mr. J. Knox-Orde, Mr. Chauncey Morris, Mr. Roland Willis, Mr. Louis Weston and Mr. J. B. Tully’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 11 July 1916.
7 Aug 1916 The Woman Pays - Back Professional
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'The play is smartly written, the villainy is human and credible instead of the usual stupidly motiveless crime, there is genuine humour, and the situations do not overtax the audience's credulity.' ('Huddersfield Daily Examiner', 8 August 1916, p. 2)
21 Aug 1916 The Soldier Priest Professional
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Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co. Reviews: "certainly worth seeing ... not a single shot is fired throughout the performance"
23 Oct 1916 The Amazing Marriage Professional
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Performed for the week.
12 Feb 1917 If Love Were All Professional
26 Feb 1917 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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‘“The Unmarried Mother,” which is being performed at the Hippodrome this week, discusses what the programme describes as “the burning question of the day” with but little reserve. “Motherhood is more sacred than wifehood,” a sentence uttered by one of the characters, gives the key to Mr. C. Vernon Proctor’s play. It is open to serious question whether this is a doctrine that can be preached even in these days, when, as another character tells the audience, “The times we live in have changed our views on everything.” In the play a soldier is prevented by a sudden call to the front from marrying the girl he loves, and it is only in the last act, after his child is born, that he goes through the ceremony on a bed in hospital where the deed by which be won the Victoria Cross has landed him. The ceremony, by some mysterious process, steadies and strengthens the action of the heart, and in a remarkably sort space of time he is on the road to recovery, and all ends happily for the good folk in the play ... As is so often the case, the real problem is shirked by a happy ending, which perhaps partly accounts for the fact that the sentiments given utterance to were received with considerable favour by the audience which assembled at the first house last night’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 27 February 1917.
19 Mar 1917 A Mother's Prayer Professional
18 Jun 1917 Mother’s Sailor Boy Professional
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Performers: Dot Stephens Co
9 Jul 1917 The Cottage Girl Professional
6 Aug 1917 Within Our Gates [For Motherland] Professional
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The Era, 8 August 1917, noted at the Huddersfield Hippodrome 'Mr. Charles Locke’s company in For Motherland on five nights, and one night (Friday) The Woman Who Dared’.
10 Aug 1917 Her Soldier Boy [The Woman Who Dared] Professional
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The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 7 August 1917, reviewed For Motherland at the Hippodrome and noted, ‘On Friday evening “The Woman Who Dared” will be played’.
27 Aug 1917 The Love Child Professional
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‘“Neither Wife nor Maid,” by Ada G. Abbott, which is being produced at the Hippodrome every night but Wednesday and Friday during the present week, is a new to Huddersfield. It is a sensational drama, and as performed Mr. E. R. Abbott’s company last night held the attention of the large audiences that assembled. A village girl falls in love with an army officer, whose sudden call to the front leaves her to bear alone the disgrace of their mutual wrongdoing. She drifts away into the company of thieves, but, her motherly instincts prevailing, allows her son to be adopted by a childless lady of the nobility in order that he may be saved from a career of crime. Once she regrets this step, and goes to fetch her boy. She then discovers that the husband of the lady is the officer whom she had loved in her girlhood, but sympathy for the wrong done her expressed by the lady results not only in her leaving the boy in her rare, but in her decision not to reveal the secret of the husband’s past to his wife as she at first intended. Ultimately the gang of thieves with which she is associated is broken up, and a former village lover induces her to marry him. In the exacting part of the poor little mother Miss Ada Abbott displays much ability. The power with which she brings out not only the depravity of the life she leads but the fact that even this does not deaden the instincts of true motherhood is especially noticeable. The sympathy and grace with which Miss May Romney invests the part of the lady who adopts Tommy is a particularly pleasing feature of the performance, whilst Miss Nellie Crowther plays the boy part with great success. Amongst the gentlemen Mr. Russell Norrie gives a manly impersonation of the part of the village lover, Messrs. Yocs [sic - Yves?] Renaud (a Belgian) W. H. Davis-Brown are a couple of typical stage ruffians, Mr. Edward Fryer represents the character of the young officer and lord acceptably, Mr. James Thompson is a manly parson, and Mr. Edwin Keene a portly and humorous butler. Other parts are well sustained. On Wednesday and Friday evenings “Sapho” is to be given’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 28 August 1917.
7 Sep 1917 Blackmail [The Voice on the 'Phone] Professional
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When The Era, 13 February 1918, reviewed Clifford Rean’s T'he Voice On The ‘Phone' at the Elephant and Castle Theatre, it noted that the play was a rewritten version of Blackmail which was originally produced under that title on 7 September last [a Friday] at the Hippodrome, Huddersfield.
15 Oct 1917 The Black Sheep Of The Family Professional
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‘Melodrama clad in attractive garb is to be seen at the Hippodrome this week, where “The Black Sheep of the Family,” by Gladys Hastings Walton, is being performed by Mr. Arthur Hinton’s particularly capable company … The play is well mounted and played. Miss Ethel Monton gives a particularly attractive portrayal of a sweet American girl, and with Mr. Arthur Hinton, an excellent exponent of the hero’s part, contributes greatly to the success of the representation. Mr. H. T. Wood does well as the wicked brother, and amongst others who distinguish themselves are Misses L. Harrold, P. Courtney, and L. Wright, and Messrs. H. C. Ward, L. Steward, and J. Hignett. For Friday night only “The Sorrows of Satan” will be substituted’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 16 October 1917.
26 Oct 1917 The Soldier Priest Professional
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Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co. Other acts on Bill: Daddy's Girl
29 Oct 1917 Always Welcome Professional
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‘The plentiful diversity of tragedy, sentiment, and the broadest of comedy in Miss Litchfield’s new drama, “Always Welcome,” ensured a favourable reception from Hippodrome houses last night, and will, no doubt, secure large attendances during the week. The authoress set an excellent example to the members of her company by the warmth of her personification of a loving mother who sacrifices everything for her daughter. She has had the latter educated above her station, and though ashamed of her mother, she is ultimately led in the stern school of adversity to realise her real worth. Mr. Tom H. Solly also docs well in a breezy, straight-spoken Cockney part, and assists Miss Litchfield in imparting a good deal of humour to the play. In a different part Mr. Conrad E. Stratford gives a very capable representation of the villain, and Mr. R. Power, as a naval lieutenant, is satisfactory. Misses G. Moody and W. Rutland give graceful portrayals of their parts, and other characters are well represented by Misses A. Laurie and C. Elkington, and Messrs. T. Campbell, W. Barrett, and T. C. Jackson. The piece goes with a swing, and though there is a good deal of the “Go as you please” style about it, it provides enjoyable fare for lovers of this particular style of entertainment. On Friday night “The King of the Gipsies” is to be substituted’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 30 October 1917.
19 Nov 1917 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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Twice nightly. All week except Friday. Friday night 'Honour the man you wed' also by Eva Elwes. ('Huddersfield Daily Examiner', 20 November 1917)
23 Nov 1917 Honour the Man You Wed Professional
21 Jan 1918 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
18 Feb 1918 His Last Leave Professional
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‘There is a good healthy flavour about “His Last Leave,” by Clifford Rean, which is being performed at the Hippodrome Theatre this week. It touches the extremes in pathos and comedy, as is expected in melodrama. The story of Sergeant Dick Maxwell and his wife, the latter of whom is loved by Capt. Saltire, is told in convincing fashion by Mr. W. H. Glave’s [sic - Glaze's] excellent company. The captain, with the aid of a female accomplice, succeeds in alienating the husband from his wife as the former is on his last leave, and at the front, where some very realistic scenes are witnessed, they succeed in getting the identification disc of the hero, who is suffering from an injury to the head which deprives him of his memory, exchanged for that of a man who has been killed. The captain’s intention to force the heroine to marry him, under the impression that her husband is dead, is frustrated at the door of the church by the return of the hero with memory restored, and the play ends happily ... “His Last Leave” is distinctly a popular play. It is very well mounted and presented, and is certain to draw large houses during the week to the Hippodrome’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 19 February 1918.
4 Mar 1918 The Man Who Made Good Professional
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he Huddersfield Examiner, 4 March 1918, advertised The Man Who Made Good at the Hippodrome all that week except Friday when The Unmarried Mother would be played.
8 Mar 1918 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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The Huddersfield Examiner, Monday 4 March 1918, advertised The Man Who Made Good at the Hippodrome all that week except Friday when The Unmarried Mother would be played.
20 Apr 1918 Girl Mother Professional
7 Jun 1918 Back From Overseas Professional
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‘“The Broken Trail,” by Wilson Howard, which is being performed at the Hippodrome this week, is a breezy drama … On Friday night a new spy play, entitled “Back from Overseas,” is to be substituted for “The Broken Trail”’ . Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 4 June 1918. Cast listed in an advertisement in The Stage, 6 June 1918
8 Jul 1918 For Those in Peril on the Sea [A Son of the Sea] Professional
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‘“A Son of the Sea,” a new melodrama of the popular kind, which appears at the Hippodrome, is this week played at that house by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company. A storm at sea, a fight in a lighthouse, and numerous other thrills are included in a story which tells of a woman’s unhappy marriage, her husband’s opportune death, and her ultimate reunion with the man she really loves. Miss Dorothy Kirk is successful in the part of Poppy Wentworth, the erring woman, and Mr. Clifford Rean (the author of the piece), as Paul Tregarron, the “son of the sea,” her true lover. The husband, the conventional villain, is in the capable hands of Mr. John Worth. Mr. Edmund O’Grady puts in a touch of dry humour as the Rev. John O’Farrell. and other lighter roles are taken by competent players. Minor parts are all well sustained. The staging is skilfully carried out. On Friday evening a play on the race suicide question, “His Childless Wife,” will be presented instead of “A Son of the Sea”’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 9 July 1918.
19 Aug 1918 Called Up [Coming Home] Professional
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Performed for the week by E. Vivian Edmonds, Misses H. Hewitt (actress), F. Davis (actress), N. Corri (actress), H. G. Edwins (actress), and Messrs. F. Fountain (actor), W. Corri, (actor) J. F. Preston (actor), A. Cheevers (actor), and F. G. Kay (actor), Arthur Morton (a local vocalist). Hettie Hewitt took over the role of Mary Darling from Edward Vivian Edmonds’ wife Gladys Ford-Howitt, perhaps because of Gladys’ pregnancy: the birth of their son John E F Edmonds was registered at Wandsworth in the period October-December 1918. 'There is no lack of incident in Mr. E. V. Edmonds's drama, Called Up which is the attraction at the Hippodrome this week. It introduces the audience a couple of sanctimonious profiteers who not object trading with enemy agents order to amass wealth, but who with a touch of poetic justice are called when the age is increased, and are not enamoured of the prospect. Boisterous British soldiers and an internment camp in Germany are prominent in the plot, into which is interwoven an interesting story of love and intrigue. in which virtue is finally triumphant. The drama provides an excellent evening’s entertainment for those who are fond of full-blooded melodrama, and who like their pathos served up hot and strong ... On Friday night The Third Man, by the same author, is to be given’. (Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 20 August 1918)
2 Sep 1918 The Girl Who Changed Her Mind Professional
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The Stage, 29 August and 5 September 1918, listed The Girl Who Changed Her Mind as On Tour from 2 September at the H., Huddersfield. Advertised in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday 4 September 1918, for ‘To-night and During the Week’, with ‘John Raymond’s Daughter’ on Friday night only.
6 Sep 1918 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
16 Sep 1918 Duty - and the Girl Professional
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‘“Duty! And the Girl?” by Clifford Rean, which was presented at the Hippodrome last night, is another of those patriotic melodramas, in which love and hate are shown in vivid contrast, which always find favour with patrons of this house. In this case it is two sisters – one, in vulgar parlance, “a dead wrong ‘un,” the other prepared to make any sacrifice in order to attain the good object she has in view - who are the contending elements. The latter loves the hero, but the former marries him for his money. He is called to France with his regiment on his marriage day, and his wife deserts him for a former lover. He returns blinded and wounded, the other sister does her best to make up for the absence of her sister, and when the bad girl is killed by her lover, marries him and promises to see him through. The two principal characters are admirably presented by Miss Florence Churchill and Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, the latter of whom, the programme states, served at the front with the K.R.R.’s. In the other characters Miss Helen Wray as the erring sister, Miss Winnie Crichton as a winsome flapper, Mr. Fergus Leslie as an officer in the R.A.M.C., and Mr. Percy Brown in a particularly base villain’s part, all did well The drama, though overstrained in parts, is good, and for those who like melodrama it is worth seeing. On Friday night “The Coward?” is to be substituted’ (Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 17 September 1918).
20 Sep 1918 Coward Professional
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The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Tuesday 17 September 1918, reviewed Clifford Rean’s ‘Duty and The Girl’ at the Hippodrome: ‘The two principal characters are admirably presented by Miss Florence Churchill and Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, the latter of whom, the programme states, served at the front with the K.R.R.’s … On Friday night “The Coward?” is to be substituted’. Joseph Millane’s companies advertised in The Stage, 26 September 1918, ‘Love! Honour! And The Woman! (formerly entitled Coward?)’: ‘Enormous Success of this production. Halifax verdict emphasised at Huddersfield. A strong play, entirely original, with not a dull moment. The Comedy keeps the whole house rocking with laughter. More applause and laughter in one night in most productions in a month'.
7 Oct 1918 His Mother's Rosary Professional
14 Oct 1918 Billy's Mother Unknown
14 Oct 1918 The Queen and The Knave Professional
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Performed for the week by Emma Litchfield's company. The cast included Emma Litchfield, Mr C.. E. Stratford, Miss W. Rutland, Miss C. Elkington, Rose Carr, Lena Tarver, Mr T. C. Jackson, Mr J. Cooper, Mr B. Raymond, and Mr S. Bryant.
18 Oct 1918 Home Once More Professional
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‘The atmosphere of the fairy tale pervades Miss Emma Litchfield’s romantic play “The Queen and the Knave,” which is being produced at the Hippodrome this week [by Emma Litchfield’s company] … On Friday evening “Home Once More,” by the same authoress, will be substituted for “The Queen and the Knave”‘. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Tuesday 15 October 1918.
21 Oct 1918 Love's Young Dream Professional
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Eva Elwes in the leading role of Madame Tora ('Huddersfield Daily Examiner', 22 October 1918, p. 3)
28 Oct 1918 The Soldier's Divorce Professional
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6.40 twice nightly 8.40 All the week Mr.F.G.Kimberley in "A Soldier's Divorce." (Huddersfield Daily Examiner - Friday 1 November 1918)
11 Nov 1918 Billy's Mother Professional
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'The war play, which should so soon give way to the peace play, has not yet quite had its day, but it already is in a stage of metamorphosis, for last night at the Hippodrome the final scene of the melodrama, 'Billy's Mother,' presented by Mr. Will H. Glaze's company, took place just "when peace was declared," an innovation which the house commended with overwhelming applause.' ('Huddersfield Daily Examiner', 12 November 1918)
17 Mar 1919 His Last Leave Professional
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When James Hart and Lena Brand inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 13 March 1919, their address for the following week was the H., Huddersfield.
21 Apr 1919 Married Midst Shot And Shell [The Bride of the Battlefield] Professional
5 May 1919 On Leave For His Wedding Professional
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Edward F Furneau’s companies advertised Clifford Rean’s On Leave For His Wedding in The Stage, 8 May 1919: ‘Still breaking records. (Refer). This, Hip., Huddersfield'. Edward F Furneau’s companies advertised Clifford Rean’s On Leave For His Wedding in The Stage, 15 and 22 May 1919: ‘All Records Broken at Huddersfield'.
11 Aug 1919 For Sweethearts and Wives Professional
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The Stage, 7 and 14 August 1919, listed For Sweethearts and Wives as On Tour from 11 August at the H., Huddersfield.
3 Nov 1919 Coward Professional
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‘We have not yet seen the last war play, apparently, for “Love Honour and Woman,” which Miss [sic – Mr.] Evelyn A’Dell presents at the Hippodrome is a melodrama of events taking place during the great war. It is the intention of Harold Thornton to bring about his brother’s death by misdirecting him in the firing line, thus to inherit his property and money But this atrocious action on the part of one so near in blood, and of another who should come still nearer – for his sweetheart is also involved in the treachery – fails in its purpose, and the man is only wounded. Then he returns home to find his brother in possession of his house and married to the woman he trusted. There is no need to say how finally such a concatenation of false dealing and deceit is entirely exposed, and how true love and virtue are triumphant. However unreal the story, however false the situations and sentiment, the play is well acted and will not fail to make a direct appeal to Hippodrome audiences. Mr Vincent W. Carlyle (the author) plays admirably the principal role, and Miss Laurie Adair gives him invaluable support as the heroine. Then, in contrast, the villainous natures of Harold Thornton and his accomplice Lady Constance are ably assumed by Mr. Roland Hope and Miss Mary Lovett. There are also lighter parts played by competent artists’. Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 4 November 1919.
16 Feb 1920 Peace Time Prophecies or Stories Gone Wrong Professional
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The Yorkshire Evening Post, 14 February 1920, noted that Bubbly was to be performed at the Hippodrome, Huddersfield, in the following week. And The Era, 18 February 1920, listed Bubbly as On The Road from 16 February at Huddersfield (no theatre is named).
12 Jul 1920 Seven Days Leave Professional