Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
N/A Jealousy Unknown
26 Jan 1915 In Time of War Professional
Read Narrative
Mr C.Watson Mill has hit the target full and square with his new War Drama, "In Time of War," at the Alexandra Theatre this week. He had two remarkable "houses" last night - almost half the audience were in khaki, and the whole of it was filled with war enthusiasm and proper patriotic feeling. The experienced actor and dramatist has handled the war subjects with consummate skill. he brings in everything - the war outbreak, England's unpreparedness, the gallantry of Belgium, the German spy system, the splendid stand of our Army Corps in France, the gallant French co-operation, the enemy's outrages in Belgium, bomb-dropping on hospitals, and firing on the Red Cross. The consequences was that, knowing these facts to be drawn from real and recent happenings, the pit and gallery "rose" to Mr Watson Mill's clever points. The author is doing a rare good service by his well-cnceived and stirring appeals for recruits, which will have their effect wherever the play travels. The story deals with the machinations of a German spy in Britain who seeks to take Capt. Russell Squire's wife from him, and learn the military secrets committed to his charge. This spy is a high officer of the Kaiser's and when war breaks out the duel between the two men is transferred to France and Belgium. The play ends up with the complete discomfiture and death of the Guggenheim and his female accomplice. There is a well-contrived scene to finish all, laid in a British wireless station, which Captain Squires holds with great resolution and gallantry, aided by his wife, who has come out as a nurse to the front. Mr Watson Mill, of course, is a seasoned and conscientious actor, and he is aided by the most lady-like acting of Miss Lydia Andre as the much-wronged wife. Mr Harry Scaddon as the German intriguer, was admirably virile. Mr Paul Neville made a dignified and true type of British officer. Miss Edith Gregory in the thankless part of the lady spy, there infinite zest into her work. The audience took Mr George Searle's Prince Seegfried to be "Kaiser Bill" and howled to their hearts content. Humour is generously painted in by Messrs. A.Whitmee, Geoffrey Chaate, M.Thorpe Tracey, and Miss Edith Vine.
29 Apr 1915 A Little Prince Amateur
Read Narrative
A review of an entertainment at the Unionist Club on the evenings of Thursday and Friday, 29 and 30 April 1915, on behalf of the Blue Cross Society ‘in the interests of sick and wounded horses at the front’. ‘Quite a memorable feature of the entertainment was the presentation of what was modestly called “a trifling dramatic incident,” but what really deserved a worthier name! This “incident” bears the title of “A Little Prince,” and the name of the author is given as Felix Cross. Whoever he is, he has written a charming little play, with plenty of incident, and an appropriate seasoning of pathos and humour. The salient feature of the fine performance was the sterling work accomplished by Miss Vida Hall in the title-role. This clever child gave a “manly” and buoyant impersonation of the hero of the piece - a picture full of innocence and beauty; there was no suggestion of parrot-like repetition, but a real and intelligent understanding and expression of the lines allotted to the brave and lovable “Little Prince.” Little wonder, at the conclusion of the play, Mr Norie Miller, in handing a box of sweets to the talented child, could not resist the impulse to embrace her! The other characters were in capable hands. Miss Hilda Folkarde, as Madame Aubert, was a typical French peasant woman, long resident in Flanders, whose dread of the vampire Uhlans was only equalled by her temerity in face of danger; Miss Astraea Hall was a winsome Helene Aubert, daughter of Madame Aubert, and the sweetheart of the blundering Irish artisan, Patrick O'Malley - characteristically played by Fred. J. Forbes - who had been three years in Flanders. Goodness only knows how, in these years, he had been able to win the affections of such a dainty charming maid as Helene; but he did it, and, stranger to relate, a happy wedding consummated the clandestine courtship of the dissimilar lovers! We hope to witness further performances of “A Little Prince.”’. Perthshire Constitutional and Journal, Monday 3 May 1915.
31 May 1915 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
Read Narrative
New Theatre (Maesteg) not listed.
10 Jun 1915 As A Man Sows Professional
Read Narrative
Chit Chat As a Man Sows Miss Nita Rae writes with reference to the claim to the above title made by Mr. Harold Finden in our last issue that her piece of that name was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain in November, 1903. For twelve years she adds, the name has been on her memos, and in the circumstances, in spite of Mr. Finden's claim, she proposes to adhere to the title. Her piece is now being toured by Miss Ruby Lee. (The Stage - Thursday 10 June 1915)
14 Jun 1915 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
12 Jul 1915 It's A Long Way To Tipperary Professional
25 Dec 1915 A Midnight Meeting Unknown
Read Narrative
The Marchioness Townsend has written still another clever little dramatic sketch which she calls "A Midnight Meeting." By way of dress rehearsal, she gave a performance in her own drawing-room theatre on Christmas night, her audience including Mr. and Mrs Algernon Paget, Lady Ida WIlson, Miss Helmsley, Miss Hope, the Marquess of Townsend, Mrs. Yorke Bevan, Mrs. Ben Webster, Major Waldron (of the Army Flying Corps) and Mrs. Waldron, and a number of officers on leave. The play has only three characters - an orphaned country heiress, her chaperone-housekeeper, and a burglar - respectively sustained by Lady Townsend, Mrs. Adrian Hope, and Mr. Ben Webster. The heiress is a young and unsophisticated maiden, who prefers wax candles to electric light in her ancient mansion, will not have a telephone, and leaves priceless old silver scattered about her rooms, much to the concern of her housekeeper. The burglar is a vagabond gentleman of good family, impelled by hunger to climb through the window down to an early morning repast with this the course of quite amusing badinage. He is the handsome black sheep of an old county family. He offers the lady marriage after she has most ingeniously suggested that his proposal might be acceptable. The curtain falls on the burglar retiring through the window with a Queen Anne teaset which he is to sell on the morrow to provide a blue suit of serge of which he is sadly in need, and thus be enabled to make a respectable appearance when he calls to have tea in the afternoon. The tiny drama is most wittily constructed, despite its apparently thin motives. If presented at one of the theatres it will probably have a similar success to the curtain-raisers for which the Marchioness Townshend was responsible for a few weeks ago at the Coliseum and St. George's Hall. (London Evening Standard - Wednesday 29 December 1915)
7 Feb 1916 The Mystery Gun Professional
Read Narrative
An illusionary Comedy Sketch, introducing Miss Erica O'Foyle. A magnificent Representation of Gun Deck of a Famous Battleship. 500 pounds Challenge to anyone who can prove that Two Girls are used in this Illusion. (Merthyr Express - Saturday 05 February 1916)
23 Aug 1916 In Time of War Professional
22 Jan 1917 A Question Of Identity Amateur
Read Narrative
Soldiers and Sailors Families Association. On Monday evening the Entertainment Committee of this hard-working organisation gave its members and friends a treat the Warwick Repertory Company providing a programme of genuine entertainment. The first piece was a two-act play (produced for the first time) "The Girl in the Automobile" followed by (also for the first time) a new sketch - put on according to the announcement in place of which it had been intended to play, entitled "A Question of Identity." Both pieces proved highly amusing. "A Question of Identity" by Thelma Cohen in this quite excellent little sketch the acting was good all round. A spy is followed to a diplomat's rooms
19 Feb 1917 If Love Were All Professional
Read Narrative
6.50 & 9pm Jason & Montgomery's New Production (Newcastle Journal Friday 23 February 1917)
22 Oct 1917 The Man Who Stayed At Home Unknown
Read Narrative
The Stage, 20 September 1917, listed the programme for Theatre No. 4 on circuit No. 1 run by the Navy and Army Canteen Board (NACB, the later NAFFI) which included the Official NACB Play Company with The Man Who Stayed At Home, Under Cover and Raffles in the weeks beginning 22 and 29 October.
29 Oct 1917 The Man Who Stayed At Home Unknown
Read Narrative
The Stage, 20 September 1917, listed the programme for Theatre No. 4 on circuit No. 1 run by the Navy and Army Canteen Board (NACB, the later NAFFI) which included the Official NACB Play Company with The Man Who Stayed At Home, Under Cover and Raffles in the weeks beginning 22 and 29 October.
6 Jul 1918 The Pageant Of Freedom Professional
22 Oct 1923 A Broken Doll Professional
Read Narrative
The romance of A Broken Doll and a Broken Heart. (Louth Standard Saturday 27 October 1923)
15 Jun 1925 If Love Were All Professional
15 Mar 1926 The Shewing up of Blanco Posnet Amateur
Read Narrative
‘Of quite recent formation, the Lewisohn D.S., directed by Victor Lewisohn, made a brightly auspicious entry into the ranks of amateur societies on March 15 with the presentation of four one-act plays. The plays selected offered a wide range for the display of talent … “The Showing Up of Blanco Posnet” … revealed the real strength of the society. F. Basil Guedalla’s study of Elder Daniels stood out for its remarkable faithfulness of portrayal, and Henry Webb as Blanco Posnet struck the right note of the devil-may-care scamp, and was particularly fine in the delivery of his final lines. Constance Foljambe gave us a Feemy full of intense feeling, albeit a little over acted at times when her enthusiasm carried her beyond the bounds of restraint. Duncan Marks, H. V. Tether, and Doris Millward helped considerably in the success of this presentation’. The Stage, 18 March 1926.
28 Feb 1948 The Title Professional
Read Narrative
‘In the broadcast of Arnold Bennett’s comedy “The Title,” which is the play for this week’s “Saturday Night Theatre” in the Home Services, all the parts are being presented by members of the B.B.C. Repertory Company. Laidman Browne plays Mr. Culver, the part taken in the original production of 1918 by C. Aubrey Smith: Gladys Young the part of Mrs. Culver, originally taken by Eva Moore; a new-corner to the Repertory Company, Joan Hart, plays Hildegarde Culver; and the cast also includes. Basil Jones, Richard Williams, Charles Lefeaux. Denise Bryer and Olive Gregg. The adaptation is by Cynthia Pughe, and the production by Felix Felton’ (Staffordshire Sentinel, Tuesday 24 February 1948). The cast was Mr Culver, Laidman Browne; John Culver, Basil Jones; Tranto, Richard Williams; Sampson Straight, Charles Lefeaux; Mrs Culver, Gladys Young; Hildegarde Culver, Joan Hart; Miss Starkey, Denise Bryer; Parlourmaid, Olive Gregg’ (Issue 1271 (bbc.co.uk)).
21 May 1950 The Title Professional
Read Narrative
‘Arnold Bennett’s comedy, “The Title,” is to be televised on Sunday, with a repeat on Thursday. The scene is laid in the home of Mr. Culver and his family in the year 1918. They are faced with a problem - shall he, or shall he not, accept a Baronetcy? Raymond Huntley and Jill Desmond play the parts of Mr. and Mrs. Culver’ (Lincolnshire Echo, Thursday 18 May 1950). ‘Ray Jackson will be playing the part of John Culver in the version of Arnold Bennett’s comedy, “The Title,” which is to be seen next Sunday evening and again on the following Thursday. This is the part in which Leslie Howard made his second appearance in the West End at the age of 25, when the play was first produced at the Royalty in 1918. Jill Esmond is to take the part of Mrs. Culver, a character created by her mother, Eva Moore, in the 1918 production. Harold Clayton is producing, and the company will include Raymond Huntley, Peggy Simpson, John Benson, Roddy Hughes, Betty Cooper and Violet Merrett’ (The Stage, 18 May 1950). The cast was Mrs Culver, Jill Esmond; Mr Culver, Raymond Huntley; Hildegarde Culver, Peggy Simpson; John Culver, Ray Jackson; Tranto, John Benson; Sampson Straight, Roddy Hughes; Miss Starkey, Betty Cooper; Parlourmaid Viola Merrett (Issue 1388 (bbc.co.uk)).
1 Jan 1977 Sacrifice Professional
Read Narrative
The day and month shown are inserted only to indicate that the play was produced by Tara Arts some time in 1977. ‘Tara Arts, the pioneering Asian theatre company is facing something of an identity crisis. Thanks to an exceptional funding boost from the Arts Council, it is now looking for a permanent home. Stabilisation funding will allow Tara, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, to evolve from being the first Asian theatre company into the first Asian theatre house … Tara’s first production, in 1977, was an adaptation of Sacrifice, by Rabindranath Tagore - the only Indian to have won a Nobel prize for literature’ (The Stage, 6 February 1997).