New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester

The Era, 6 September 1916 published a review of The Deserter, a play in one act, by Fred J. Morris, produced at the New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester on Monday 21 August. ‘As an episode of the present war Mr. Fred J. Morris’s little play has an up-to-date and dramatic interest ... A very good depiction of the old soldier, John Billington., was given by Mr. Leonard Laurence, and Miss Dorothy West-Symes made a pleasing and sympathetic Mary Billington, while Mr. Walter Clifford was manly and considerate as Sergt. Merrills, and Mr. George Mayfield played effectively as the defaulting Richard’. The Era, 23 August 1916 noted that Alias Jimmy Valentine at the New Queen’s Theatre, Manchester that week ‘was preceded by “The Deserter,” in one act, by Fred J. Morris’. ‘At the new Queen’s Theatre, Manchester, last week, Mr. Leonard Laurence produced a new military sketch, in one act, written by Fred J. Morris, entitled “The Deserter.” The Era, 30 August 1916.