Great War Theatre

Address: Leeds, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
4 Oct 1915 Ladies First Professional
24 Jan 1916 War Mates Professional
Read Narrative
The play is described as 'A war play that hits hard' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 25 January 1916)
17 Apr 1916 The Novelty Minstrels Professional
Read Narrative
(The Stage - Thursday 20 April 1916)
1 Jan 1917 Samples Professional
Read Narrative
Noted in The Era, 3 January 1917.
19 Mar 1917 In the Trenches Professional
Read Narrative
Performed for the week by cast including Harry Buss. Other acts on the same bill: The Syncopating Septette, 4 Martelloni Sisters (acrobats and equilibrists), the Kirbys (comedy artists), Silvano (comedy cyclist) and Alice Craven. 'rather a pity that "In The Trenches" should have been so recently preceded on the same stage by "A Day in the Dug-Out". Both are good, but the later comer (which I believe was on tour first) was bound to go over similar ground. In a chat with Mr. Harry Buss, the very comical comedian, I put the point as to how far it was permissible to represent the lighter side of life out there. They found, he said, that even people who had suffered bereavements, or were in present anxiety, could witness the sketch with enjoyment....For after all nobody needs reminding of the perils of the front line...as to the general joviality, that must exist if the men are to get through at all' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 March 1917)
4 Jun 1917 They Didn't Want To Do It Professional
Read Narrative
Lew Lake's musical show "They Didn't Want To Do It is the star turn at the Hippodrome. The chief fun-maker is Charlie Rich and other well-known names are Elsie Robey, Freddie Malcolm, Forest Tell, Ada Leary, Molly Moor & CO. Other turns on the programme include Mary Law, the talented and artistic violinist and the Miyake Troup of Japanese Conjurors. (The Era - Wednesday 6 June 1917)
17 Sep 1917 Burgess Decides Unknown
1 Oct 1917 Why Worry Unknown
22 Oct 1917 In the Trenches Professional
Read Narrative
Performed for the week by cast including Harry Buss. On the same bill were: Haydn Wood & Dorothy Court (instrumental and vocal scene), Bert Weston (comedian), Billy Housini & Company (plate smashing), Rell & Butt (comedians), J.G.Glass and Mamie Grant (entertainers). 'Mr. Harry Buss makes up as a typical "Old Bill", created by Bairnsfather' (Leeds Mercury, 23 October 1917)
4 Feb 1918 Ocean Waves Professional
18 Mar 1918 Parker’s Appeal Professional
Read Narrative
‘Anyone in search of laughter as a tonic for war weariness may have their fill at the Hippodrome, where there is comedy - and good comedy, too - in almost every turn. Leading the way is Charles Austin, who, in another of his Parker sketches, keeps the audience in a constant state of merriment by his burlesques of the supposed scenes both inside and outside a military tribunal’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 19 March 1918.) ‘At the Leeds Hippodrome there is an attractive and comprehensive variety programme, which contains a number of old favourites. Mr Charles Austin continues his series of “Parker” studies with “Parker’s Appeal,” in which this notorious person is as ridiculous as might be expected front his previous escapades’ (Skyrack Courier, 22 March 1918).
15 Jul 1918 The Passing Show Of 1918 Professional
23 Sep 1918 Home Defence Professional
Read Narrative
‘The week’s programme at the Hippodrome is full of merit ... Will Evans extracts great fun out of “Queues,” whilst his “Dream of Home Defence” is particularly appealing to the khaki element' (Leeds Mercury, 24 September 1918). ‘No one will regret a visit to the Hippodrome this week. Will Evans will find the provincial reception of his sketches, “Queues” and “Dream of Home Defence,” quite as flattering as that which they enjoyed in London. The Hippodrome audience fairly revelled in them last night’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 September 1918). ‘The best variety programme put on at Hippodrome for some time is provided this week. Will Evans, the old favourite, is here with something new. “Queues” is now, happily, a little out of date, but his “Dream of Horne Defence” is not merely topical, but amusing’ (Skyrack Courier, 27 September 1918).
17 Feb 1919 Jolly Times Professional
Read Narrative
‘“Jolly Times,” a production on revue lines, presented at the Hippodrome, does not belie its title. With Mr. Jos. Alexandre in a full comedian’s part, the fun was continuous, and crowded audiences found compensation last night for the otherwise thin character of the revue in the boisterous good humour which he created. Almost continually on the stage. Mr. Alexandre - who will remembered as the senior of the well-known partnership. Alexandre and Hughes - was the pivot and inspiration of nearly all - but not quite all - that was best the in revue. Mr. Alexandre has a valuable working partner, and there was at least one other distinguishing feature in the dashing appearance of Miss Madge Merle, who, with fine stage presence and well-modulated voice, gave the accepted American effect to the songs “I don’t want to get well” and “Down Honolulu Way”’ (Yorkshire Evening Post, 18 February 1919). Reviewed in the Yorkshire Evening Post, 22 February 1919, with brief notes about Jos Alexandre, Joseph Victor and John Doran.
10 Mar 1919 The Boy Comes Home Professional
Read Narrative
‘The Hippodrome has a welcome change from the run of music hall fare in the playlet, “The Boy Comes Home,” the boy in this case being Mr. Godfrey Tearle, in the part of a demobilised officer impressing few facts upon an uncle whose ideas of values need shaking up. It is a clever trifle, which begins by catching the ear of the ex-soldier especially with piquant references that he understands and enjoys, and then develops a surprise that it would be a pity to explain'. Yorkshire Evening Post, 11 March 1919.