Palace Theatre, Bordesley

"B" Company

‘At the Bordesley Palace Theatre last night, Mr. Oswald Cray presented a play, “The Unmarried Mother,” dealing with a topical problem. Mr. Cray’s company is a capable one, and Miss Laurie Adair takes the part of Eileen, whose story provides the plot of a play containing many thrilling incidents’. Birmingham Mail, 10 August 1915.

Between them, The Era, 13 and 20 October 1915, and The Stage, 14 October 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (North) as On Tour / On The Road from both 11 and 18 October at the Pal, Bordesley.

‘At the Bordesley Palace Theatre this week Miss Emma Litchfield’s company appears in a new play entitled, “Home Once More.” It is presented in seven scenes, and, as the title suggests, is a play of home and heart interest. The principal characters are military men, and Miss Emma Litchfield herself plays the part of the heroine. There is some attractive scenery, and altogether the acting is good. Last night, judging by the applause, the play was thoroughly enjoyed’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 16 November 1915.

Twice nightly

Performed by Leonard Mortimer's Company.

(The Stage - Thursday 31 August 1916)

‘“The Little Grey Home in the West” is one of the most popular plays which Mrs. Kimberley has given us, and as played at the Bordesley Palace it is an engaging, hearty drama with plenty of thrills. Miss Madge Douglas makes Peggy a lovable heroine with a spice of the hoyden. Others in the cast are Messrs. George Searle, Frank Eaglesfield, Ernest Vaughan and Clarence Rayner, Misses Mabel Liston, Ada Roscoe, and Ellen Beverley’. The Era, 1 November 1916.

‘“The Black Sheep of the Family,” a new and up-to-date drama, attracted crowded houses to the Bordesley Palace Theatre last night. The piece is well staged, and Messrs. A. Hinton’s company is a strong all-round one. While the work of Mr. Arthur Hinton in the title role was the outstanding feature, he was ably supported by Miss Ethel Morton [sic] and Mr. J. Knox Orde’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 14 November 1916.

In Brave Women Who Wait which occupies the stage at the Bordesley Palace Mrs F.G.Kimberley has dexterously gathered her material from the characteristic incidents of the passing hour. The story has strong human interest, and its dramatic and emotional appeal is well interpreted by Mr John C. Carlyle's company. This includes Messrs. Terry Davis, William Scotton, Cyril T. Graves, E.T. Hayes, and Misses Annie Bond, Nellie Norman, Pollie Vickers etc.(The Era, 29th November 1916).

‘A feature of “The Wife with Two Husbands,” being played at the Bordesley Palace Theatre this week, is the clever acting of Mr. Jerrold Heather as John Bluntt, the soldier. Mr. Heather establishes himself as a favourite whenever he appears, “The Wife with Two Husbands” provides several problems for solution, and interest in the plot is maintained to the end' (Birmingham Mail, 5 December 1916). ‘There are stirring scenes in the drama, “The Wife with Two Husbands,” which is presented by Oswald Cray at the Bordesley Palace this week. The story is full of possibilities with present-day life. All the characters in the cast, which includes Jerrold Heather as a soldier, and Daisy Cook as his wife, are well sustained’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 5 December 1916).

The Birmingham Daily Gazette, 14 May 1917, advertised Somewhere A Heart Is Breaking twice nightly at the Palace Theatre, Bordesley, except that The Mormon and The Maid would be performed on Friday nightly only. ‘Soldiers Half-price’. ‘“Somewhere a Heart is Breaking,” a comedy drama written by Private Ivan Patrick Gore, was played last evening at the Bordesley Palace Theatre to good audiences. The play was satisfactorily staged, and the company, which includes Miss Winifred Maude, who appears as Ruth Staveley, the heroine, is a capable one’ (Birmingham Daily Mail, 15 May 1917.) ‘Bordesley Palace. – “Somewhere a Heart is Breaking,” described as “a comedy drama written by a soldier for the women who wait at home,” made a strong appeal to the patrons of the Bordesley Palace last night. The play is being presented this week by Miss Winifred Maude’s Company. A sympathetic interpretation of the part of Ruth Staveley, one of the “women who wait,” is given by Miss Maude, and other members of the company include Mr. William Hayward as Gaynor Carton, Mr Leslie Maxwell as “Dick Moore,” and Miss Agnes Cagan as “Dolores Wilbur.” Mr. Victor Du Cane and Miss Winnie Crighton [sic – Crichton] are responsible for the comedy parts. The author, Private Ivan Patrick Gore, has produced a war story of original character’ (Evening Despatch, 15 May 1917). ‘“Somewhere a Heart is Breaking,” a comedy drama by Private Ivan Patrick Gore, R.A.M.C., is the attraction at the Bordesley Palace this week. The plot is interesting, and humour and sensationalism are skilfully blended. Winifred Maude, who plays the part of the heroine, is supported by a capable company. “The Mormon and the Maid” is billed for to-morrow (Friday)’ (The Stage, 17 May 1917).

Twice nightly 6.30 and 9pm. Matinees Wednesday 2.30. Soldiers half price. (Evening Despatch - Tuesday 03 July 1917) At the Bordesley Palace "The Girl and the Blackguard," staged by Frederick Baugh and Royce Carleton, attracted large audiences. The company is an excellent one, and the play admirably staged. Mr. Royce Carleton, the author of the comedy drama appeared as Lord Ewart with success, and Miss Margaret Hobart as the leading lady was heartily received. (Birmingham Mail - Tuesday 03 July 1917)

Advertised in the Birmingham Mail, 23 July 1917: ‘Soldiers in uniform half-price’. ‘“Always Welcome,” a domestic drama, is being produced at the Palace Theatre this week. It has been written by Miss Emma Litchfield, who herself plays the principal part with distinction. The play was cordially received last night’ (Birmingham Mail, 24 July 1917; also reported in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 24 July 1917 and The Era, 25 July 1917).

'"The Fisherman of Old St Malo" that chequered drama of passion and sentiment, which has for background the picturesque life of Brittany...' ('The Era', 8 August 1917, p. 5)

Performed by Will Casey and company.

‘As the title indicates, “His Last Leave” accords with the times as being of a military character. Played at the Bordesley Palace Theatre by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company, the drama was received with enthusiasm last evening. It is a story of double-dealing, treachery, and heroism on the battlefield'. Birmingham Mail, 2 October 1917.

Performed as 'The Middy V.C. Comes Home' 'The plot reveals a thrilling story of the war with a good sprinkling of genuine humour.' ('Birmingham Daily Gazette', 13 November 1917, p. 3)

‘An up-to-date drama, “The Black Sheep of the Family,” is billed for presentation at the Bordesley Palace’ (Birmingham Mail, 7 December 1917). ‘“The Black Sheep of the Family,” by Gladys Hastings Walton, which Arthur Hinton is to give at Bordesley Palace Theatre is a stirring drama which deals with a familiar domestic problem’ (Evening Despatch, 8 December 1917). ‘“ The Black Sheep of the Family” is presented at the Bordesley Palace by Mr. Arthur Hinton’s company, and last night Mr. Hinton’s acting in the title role and that of Miss Ethel Monton were the outstanding features’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 11 December 1917). ‘Arthur Hinton and company present “The Black Sheep of the Family” this week [at the Bordesley Palace], and are received very favourably by well-filled houses. The two leading parts are played by Mr. Hinton and Ethel Mouton [sic], and their performances call for high praise’ (The Stage, 13 December 1917).

‘After three pleasant weeks of pantomime at the Bordesley Palace there will be a return to melodrama on Monday. The play, “The Voice on the ‘Phone,” which comes via Mr. Will Glaze’s Company, is of the sentimental, sensational American type' (Evening Despatch, 26 January 1918). ‘“The Voice on the ‘Phone” received a good reception last night. Its plot is original, and the leading roles are filled by Messrs. Victor Gardam, Geof. [sic] Chate, and the Misses Renee Bevan and Eva Alliston’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 29 January 1918).

‘“The Man Who Made Good,” an up-to-date drama by Mr. Oswald Gray [sic – Cray], in which the author’s gift of character delineation is revealed at its best, was much appreciated by two well-filled houses at the Bordesley Palace Theatre last night. The company includes Frank V. Fenn and Laura Adair’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 19 February 1918). Also Noted in The Stage, 21 February 1918: ‘a spirited drama, which deals effectively with matters very much to the fore just now’.

‘“Deliver the Goods received an enthusiastic welcome at the Bordesley Palace. A war play, the first two acts aim at showing the evils of profiteering, and the last act shows the fate that is to befall the profiteer after the war. The fact that part of the play is supposed to take place in Birmingham gave it an extra value in the eyes of last night’s audiences (Evening Despatch, 19 March 1918). ‘“Deliver the Goods,” a drama attune with the times, met with a hearty reception at Bordesley Palace Theatre last night ... there is a strong current of fun running through the play, and interest in the plot is well preserved to the end’ (Birmingham Mail, 19 March 1918).

‘At the Bordesley Palace [next week] revue will be followed by melodrama – “A Son of the Sea,” a new and brightly-written nautical play, given by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company’ (Evening Despatch, 25 May 1918). ‘“A Son of the Sea,” the attraction at the Bordesley Palace Theatre, is a topical and thrilling naval drama’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 28 May 1918). Noted in The Era, 29 May 1918; cast members named were Clifford Rean, Jno. Worth, Edmund O’Grady, Chas Leverton, Maudie Ryder and Dorothy Kirk: ‘Sentiment and adventure are pleasantly blended in the play, and lively touches of comedy break in upon its graver qualities’.

This performance (theatre and start date) is included in a list of previous performances of “Married on Leave” in The Stage of Thursday 1 August 1918.

This play is right away from the beaten track. (The Stage Thursday 9 May 1918)

(The Stage Thursday 9 May 1918)

‘A thrilling drama of the nautical type, “For Sweethearts and Wives,” completely won the good graces of the audience [at the Bordesley Palace] last night. It contains the requisite amount of heroics and love, and German spies and despicable deeds, to make the successful war play, and is capably presented’. Evening Despatch, 8 October 1918.

‘“His Last Leave,” described as a realistic drama of the times, was well received last night at Bordesley Palace Theatre. The play was performed by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company. Mr. H. Wright Scaddan was responsible for powerful acting as Richard Maxwell, and Miss Laura Adair as Rose Maxwell, his wife, fully aroused the sympathies of the audience’ (Birmingham Mail, 29 October 1918). ‘The melodrama, “His Last Leave,” for which Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company is responsible at the Bordesley Palace this week, is one of the most realistic war plays seen in Birmingham of late’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 29 October 1918).

Performed twice nightly this week at 6.30 and 8.30 with matinee Weds at 2.30. Cast included Emma Litchfield (author and actress) and Conrad E. Stratford.

‘“Love, Honour and the Woman,” a stirring drama dealing with love and war, gained the hearty appreciation of last night’s audiences at the Bordesley Palace Theatre. Miss Florence Churchill was responsible for powerful acting as Bess, and Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle was popular in the part of the hero, Richard Thornton, an afflicted soldier, who, by the recovery of his memory, throws much light on dark passages in the drama’. Birmingham Mail, 26 November 1918.

6.30 & 8.30 Twice nightly. Next week F.G.Kimberley's Company in a Topical Drama. "A Soldier's Divorce." (Evening Despatch - Tuesday 17 December 1918)

Performed 31 March to 5 April.

The Stage, 29 May 1919, listed The Unmarried Mother as On Tour from 26 May at the Pal., Bordesley.

The Birmingham Daily Gazette, Tuesday 8 June 1920, advertised that week at the Palace Theatre, Bordesley: on Monday and Tuesday, Confessions of a Wife; on Wednesday and Thursday, Hushed up; and on Friday and Saturday, Love, Honour and the Woman.

Performed Thursday-Saturday

‘“The Black Sheep of the Family” occupied the stage here [the Bordesley Palace] for the first half of this week, and from to-day until Saturday “Ignorance” will be presented. The Kimberley Fortescue Players combine admirably. Prominent are Norman Worcester, Louis Nanton, May Day, May Payne, Dallas Yorke, and Charlotte Ballinger’ (The Stage, Thursday 8 November 1928). The author of the play is not named, so there is no certainty that it was Gladys Hastings Walton, but no other play with the same title was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.