Great War Theatre

Address: Hamilton ML3, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
9 Nov 1914 The Coward Professional
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‘The star turn is an exceedingly ambitious one, and is presented by Horace Hunter and Company, which includes Miss Lily Hammersley. They contribute a new and up-to-date sketch, “The Coward.” It deals with the work of an Alien Investigation Department, where the private secretary is a German spy, the frustration of whose nefarious schemes is brought about in clever and sensational fashion. The sketch strikes a patriotic note that is not lost upon the audience in these dark days of war’. Hamilton Advertiser, 14 November 1914.
28 Jun 1915 War and a Woman [Women and War] Professional
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The play was performed this week by the Millane company who presented, twice nightly and on successive nights 'Margaret of the Red Cross, The White Slave, East Lynne, Somewhere a Voice is Calling and Women and War.
26 Aug 1915 Remember Belgium [licensed as 'George Grant'] Professional
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‘Mr. and Mrs Percy Brown’s Company conclude their engagement at the Hamilton Hippodrome this week … On Monday and the two following nights “The Madman” was staged, in which the leading character was taken by Mr Reginald Brown … The change of programme on Thursday evening took the form of a more up-to-date drama entitled “Remember Belgium.” As its title implies, there is a strong military aspect about this piece, in which German intrigue and malicious treachery play an important part. Mr Brown is seen in the role of the German spy, a character which affords him ample scope for nefarious schemes and original devices. The drama is not altogether devoid of humour, but the serious work, in which Mr Edward Rawlinson and Miss Annie Hylton take prominent parts, is effective and realistic and affords the greatest interest to the audience. A love story, of course, runs through the whole piece, which has a happy termination for a soldier and his bride, while the spy, a part also well played by Mr Brown, meets with the fate which the audience, judging from the reception they gave him at times, richly deserved. Beautiful and appropriate scenery is used throughout, and the drama, from start to finish. is followed with a sympathetic interest. A word of praise is due the orchestra, under Mr Chambers, for their finely rendered selections during the performance. “Remember Belgium” will constitute the programme at the two concluding performances this evening’. Hamilton Advertiser, 28 August 1915.
20 Dec 1915 The Frenchwoman Professional
4 Sep 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Era, 30 August 1916, listed The Little Grey Home in the West as On The Road from 4 September at the H., Hamilton.
11 Dec 1916 Winner at Last Unknown
7 May 1917 The Love Child Professional
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'Two dramas are being staged at the Hamilton Hippodrome this week way of a change. The company responsible for them is Mr Ernest Abbot’s, who make their first appearance in Hamilton, and score a success which should ensure a welcome at any future date. On Monday and Tuesday there was produced a powerful play, entitled “Neither Wife nor Maid,” while Wednesday and the two succeeding nights Daudet’s masterpiece, the remarkable Parisienne drama, entitled “Sapho,” was put on the stage. The former of these will be produced to-night, and from the very excellent and original setting of the play, apart from the cleverness which marks the acting of the principals, lovers of the drama are assured of a capital and altogether interesting programme. The outstanding artiste in the cast is Miss Ada Abbott, who plays the part of “Meg,” the poor little mother, in a manner which shows her an able exponent of the histrionic art. “Tommy” is another of the characters which the audience thoroughly appreciate - a most precocious youngster filling true part. The male characters are all cleverly portrayed - the protectors the weak, the crooks who are out for blood every turn, the society ladies who seek to make things brighter for less fortunate individuals, all adapting themselves the parts in a characteristic manner. The butler and the maids provide much amusement at intervals, while the staging is much enhanced by capital and appropriate scenery’. Hamilton Advertiser, 12 May 1917.
28 May 1917 Honour the Man You Wed Professional
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Company under the managership of Charles E. Johnson. Also staged from 31 May-2 June was 'John Raymond's Daughter' ('Hamilton Advertiser', 2 June 1917, p. 2)
31 May 1917 John Raymond's Daughter or A Soldier's Love Child Professional
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'... the author has shown wonderful foresight in delineating in such an interesting manner what undoubtedly will be the experience of many when the sword has been sheathed and peace again reigns. Mr Glaze's company, though small in numbers, is as good an all-round company as one could desire to see every artiste showing dramatic abilities of the highest order. The piece is easily followed, and its details permit of the several members exhibiting in marked degree histrionic proclivities which make drama pleasing and interesting throughout.' ('Hamilton Advertiser', 2 June 1917, p.2)
2 Jul 1917 Somewhere A Heart Is Breaking [The Coward Who Made Good] Professional
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The Hamilton Advertiser, 30 June 1917, advertised that the whole of the proceeds from the performance by Miss Winifred Maude’s Company of ‘the Great Comedy Drama, The Coward Who Made Good’ at the Hamilton Hippodrome on Thursday 5 July would be handed over to the Scottish branch of the red Cross Society; the event was reported in the Hamilton Advertiser, 7 July 1917, and The Era, 11 July 1917. ‘Dramas are still going strong at the Hamilton Hippodrome. This week, on the first four nights, “The Coward who Made Good” was presented, a play written by Ivan Patrick Gore, and one which is nothing if not up-to-date as its title shows. It was Miss Winifred Maude’s company which staged the piece, and the members the cost were a particularly lively lot of artistes, the outstanding features of the drama being given with the utmost good effect and a strong military feeling pervading the whole piece. This is Red Cross week, and as usual Mr Bostock is showing his interest locally by devoting the whole of the proceeds on Thursday to this most deserving war scheme … Particulars of Thursday’s performance will be found elsewhere. Last night Miss Maude’s company appeared in the drama entitled “The Mormon and the Maid” … This piece will be staged to-night, when, as was the case last night, there should be crowded attendances’ (Hamilton Advertiser, 7 July 1917). ‘Miss Winifred Maude concluded on Saturday last [28 July 1917] her season at the Hippodrome, Hamilton. The plays produced included “The Coward Who Made Good,” “The Woman from Scotland Yard,” “The Mormon and the Maid,” “The Stowaway,” “The Sins of a City,” “Love and the Woman,” “Her Luck in London,” and “The Grip of Iron.” It was hard work for all concerned, as the season was a twice-nightly one, and two plays were given weekly. The company opened on Monday for a similar season at the Empire, Alexandria’ (The Stage, 2 August 1917).
12 Mar 1918 Mother’s Sailor Boy Professional
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Performers: Dot Stephens Company Other acts on bill: Should They Marry
20 Apr 1918 Mother’s Sailor Boy Professional
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Performers: Dot Stephens Co
28 Oct 1918 In the Trenches Professional
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Performed for the week by a cast including Harry Buss. Others on the same bill: The Welcomes (versatile comedy duo), Francis Charl (conjuror) Gordon Inglis Trio (musical and vocal ensemble), Marie Elliott (comedienne and dancer), Harry Cowper (comedy juggler), the Great Fight Picture (film of boxing match at Chelsea Football Ground) 'A comedy sketch of life at the front...is staged with great realism and effect...Harry Buss...proves very entertaining in his ideas about love-making and what constitutes a nice fellow. The sketch is received with great favour' (Hamilton Advertiser, 2 November 1918)
23 Jun 1919 The Love Child Professional
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The Stage, 19 June 1919, lists ‘Ernest R. Abbott’s “The Passions,” and “Neither Wife Nor Maid”’ in Calls For Next Week at the Hamilton Hippodrome.
21 Jun 1920 The Love Child Professional
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The Bellshill Speaker, 18 June 1920, advertised at the Hamilton Hippodrome from Monday 21 June Ernest R. Abbott’s company, including ‘the Charming Actress, Miss Ada Abbott, supported by Mr John Johnston’, in Neither Wife Nor Maid on Monday-Tuesday, Sapho on Wednesday and Thursday and The Passions on Friday and Saturday. The advertisement said of Neither Wife Nor Maid: ‘For Adults Only. No Person under the age of 16 will be admitted to see this Play’.