Hippodrome, Blackpool

Advertised in the Blackpool Gazette & Herald, 2 July1917, as ‘Written, Composed, and Played by Wounded Officers and Men from the King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital. Produced by Mr. Charles Bennett. A Bright and Happy Play, showing the lighter side of soldier life. A fine antidote for war depression’. Also: ‘A revuesical comedy, with the title of “You’re For It,” occupies the boards at Blackpool Hippodrome throughout the week. It is entirely the work of convalescent officers and men of the King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital, Squire’s Gate, who are assisted in the performance by many Blackpool ladies and Mrs. Cockcroft, wife of Capt. Cockcroft. The comedy will be staged nightly, and there will be two matinees - Wednesday and Saturday - the proceeds being for the benefit of the Central Fund in connection with the Camp - a fund, by the way, for which a special effort is being made to secure much-needed assistance, and every penny of which, it cannot be too often emphasised, is devoted to the benefit of the convalescent soldiers. An outstanding feature of the fund is that no call whatever is made upon it for administrative expense. In view of these facts, the object of the attraction at the Hippodrome should appeal all the stronger to residents and visitors alike, and it must not be lost sight of that every wounded Lancashire Tommy has a right to apply for treatment at this favourite camp. The title of the production is adopted from a popular saying in military circles, and as the whole thing springs from a military centre, it may be taken for granted that the spirit of it smacks of military life. No one can witness the comedy without enjoying it. Possessing many features with a strong fund of humour all through, the production is made up of two acts. Miss Jessie Hacking, who has already made a big name for herself in other amateur performances in the town, plays well the part of Mavis, and is heard to distinct advantage in her various vocal items. Miss E. Southworth is the premiere danseuse, and a number of other ladies contribute effective dance numbers, and the Misses Dora Hulme and Cissie Threlfall also figure conspicuously in several of the scenes. Among the artistes from the Camp, Sergt. C. Carew is responsible for a great deal of the humour as a recruiting sergeant, and he is strongly supported by Corpl. F. Preston, while others taking leading characters are Capt. W. L. Cockcroft, Capt. H. E. Marsden, Lieut. A. V. Heywood, Second Lieuts. H. H. Hinde, O. E. Thomas, and W. Cheetham, Pte. G. Horrocks (who scores well in his vocal contribution) and Mr. H. Greswolde-Williams’ (Blackpool Gazette & Herald, 3 July 1917). Also: ‘The Soldier’s Revue. There are so many soldiers in Blackpool at present, who, in former days, were well-known on the theatre and music-hall stages, that it is only to be expected that their natural ambition, now that they have been to the Front and qualified for Blighty, is to appear again behind the footlights. On Monday last quite a platoon of them produced at the Hippodrome [in Blackpool] a new revuesical comedy, with the enlightening title of “You’re For It.” The revue is divided into nine scenes, ranging from Blackpool before the War, to Enlisting, Barrack-room Life, Flag Days, France, Trenches, and Hospital. The scenes are faithful sketches of curious incidents, full of those human touches which only a Tommy, ripe with experience, could give to a representation. It had a splendid reception’ (The Era, 4 July 1917).