Theatre Royal, Great Yarmouth

Oswald Cray advertised in The Stage, 21 October 1915, that ‘Hundreds [were] turned away Last Saturday Night at the Theatre Royal, Yarmouth, with my North Company of “The Unmarried Mother”’.

‘Revue still pleases, with its merry numbers. This week, “All’s Well” holds the boards. As Blobbs Hoskins, Mr. Leonard Barry proves himself a first-rate comedian and wins a many hearty laugh. Miss Dolly McCalla is a vivacious Kitty Fox Trot, and Miss Hetty Marston scores as Topsy. Much amusement is caused by Mr. Hal Whitby as Jack Trainem and Mr. Tom E. Ray as William Harrison. Rosina’s troupe of dancers are well received’. Yarmouth Independent, 6 May 1916.

‘That well-known London actor, Mr Leonard Mortimer brings his No. 1 Company to the Theatre Royal next week, producing an excellent London success, “Deliver the Goods.” He is supported by a capital cast, in quite a novel play, abounding in healthy sentiment and the best of natural comedy. Many patriotic plays have been written since 1914, but few have made such as appeal as “Deliver the Goods.” The whole scheme of this production discloses sound common sense, has quite the Horatio Bottomley touch, and is the most convincing story of selfishness and sacrifice daring the present days of the great tragedy, that has been presented to theatrical patrons' (Yarmouth Independent, 4 May 1918). ‘The play, “Deliver the Goods,” has an intensely human story, well told and capitally interpreted. The fighter and the conscientious objector are both represented, the latter a man with no conscience, who makes money out of the war, and endeavours to stir up strife amongst workmen. The patriotic man, Peter Ross, is ably played by Mr. Leonard Mortimer, who gives a natural and manly study of the role. The selfish money-maker, John Williams, is most successfully enacted by Mr. Walter Graham. Miss Ivy Shepperd plays with much charm and feeling as Mary Haslewood, and Miss Ida Clifford is excellent as Cinderella Wells. Comedy is supplied in merry fashion by Mr. Louis Gaye as Ivor Hickman, and Miss Peggy Wyse as Vesta Wood. Other roles are well filled’ (Yarmouth Independent, 11 May 1918).

‘“On Leave for his Wedding” is the attraction at the Theatre Royal next week, and promises to be one of the dramatic events of the season. The play is penned by Clifford Read, author of “His last Leave" and brings home to many of us the realities of the Great War, showing us particularly how the cowardly Hun had no compunction in bombarding hospitals and churches. The scene depicting the bombardment of the Cathedral and proving to the world the impotence of the German guns is most cleverly done and constitutes a sight well worth seeing, whilst the realistic trench scene with Tommy full of wit and humour in spite of the roar of the guns around him causes the audience to rock with laughter. It is much to be said for the play that already over 200,000 persons have paid to witness its production. In Birmingham alone 30,000 persons visited the Theatre in one week'. Yarmouth Independent, 7 December 1918.

‘“Nurse Benson,” on its first visit to Yarmouth, at the Theatre Royal this week, has proved an undoubted treat and nightly large audiences have testified to an excellent interpretation by the Taylor- Platt Co. of the four-act comedy which has already been performed over 300 times at the Globe Theatre, London. The plot is charmingly original, and each of the four acts provides a feast of mirth, while the love scenes are well-written and not over-done. The acting is superb ... The whole cast of the piece is excellent and the bewildering “cross purposes” were admirably sustained in such a way as to cause the audience to wonder how all the difficulties presented owing to Lady Gillian Dunsmore assuming the character of the real Nurse Benson, an old-fashioned, capable, red-faced and loud-voiced lady, could be overcome'. Yarmouth Independent, 21 June 1919.

The new topical drama "A Soldier's Divorce" is being presented this week. It is written by Mrs. F. G. Kimberley considered to be her fines work. An excellent company interprets the play. The roles being taken as under, Charley Steele, Mr. Paul Beckett: Harry Pearman, Mr. Frank H. Fortescue; Billy Boy, Mr. W. C. Bland, Bob Bently, Mr. Dudley Hoard; Private S. (Yarmouth Independent - Saturday 13 December 1919)