Theatre Royal, Oldham

‘When There Was War is being presented at the Royal [Oldham] this week by Miss Hilda Beverley and her company. Not a dull moment is experienced throughout the whole of the nine scenes. Mr. J. Andrews is admirably suited to the rôle of Captain Arthur Leigh, and Mr. Charles H. Grant is equally successful as Lieutenant Edward Freshwater. Miss Hilda Beverley is entitled to high praise for her Gretchen Gesner’. The Stage, 6 May 1915.

‘An excellent drama, entitled Remember Belgium, is the attraction here this week. It is in eight scenes. Gilbert Elvin as Colonel Featherstone gets much effect from the part, and as George Grant Cliffe Deane is all that can be desired. Percy Brown as the German spy, Fritz, plays in a highly capable manner, and the part of Marie is charmingly presented by Viola [sic] Haslewood. As Mrs. Featherstone Lelia Drummond adds much to the general success’. The Stage, 7 October 1915.

‘The Love Child is the interesting drama presented at this popular theatre [Royal, Oldham]. In a prologue and five scenes much hard work is accomplished by the artists, and with Ernest R. Abbott as Ben Huxter a good send-off is secured. He presents his part with ease and skill, whilst as Meg Huxter Ada M. [sic] Abbott (the authoress) is excellent. Glory Kelland as Lady Rose satisfies the house, as does also Frank Kelland as her husband’. The Stage, 14 October 1915.

(The Stage - Thursday 16 December 1915)

The Era, 9 and 16 February 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West (North) as On The Road from 14 February at the T.R., Oldham. Also The Stage, 10 February 1916. Reported separately in The Stage, 17 February 1916: named cast members were Melville Chiswell as Cecil Standing, Frank Eaglesfield as a villain, George Fry as an escaped prisoner, Edgar Morgan as Jack Hartley, Little Willie Graham as the child, Frank Mackinnon, Jack Wain, George Rodney, Mabel Liston, Ada Roscoe and Ellen Beverley.

‘Home Once More is here [the Royal, Oldham]. It is presented by a capable cast. S. P. Goodyer-Kettley makes an excellent lead as Capt. Forrester, R.N., Conrad E. Stratford is effective as Lieut. Lorraine, R.N.A.S., and as Lieut. Aubrey Neilson, Lionel Balmont is very good. Emma Litchfield shows herself to be a capable actress in the rôle of Mary Lorraine. Lillie Livesey, as Yvette D’Arville, and Ena Newham, as Stella Richmond, add [sic] in effective manner. Some excellent humour is provided by T. H. Selby [sic - Solly] and A. B. Lyons’. The Stage, 4 May 1916.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

‘The Slacker is being presented [at the Royal, Oldham). E. Harden [sic – Warden] as Phil Murket is decidedly successful, his portrayal having the polish and finish worthy of the principal rôle. Dennis Leslie is no less effective as Ned Marsden. As Dave Steele J. H. Wilkinson performs with credit. Margaret Frame gives a capital rendering of the rôle of Nell Marsden, as does Flo Bevan of Eva Steele’. The Stage, 15 June 1916.

‘The Black Sheep of the Family is the excellent drama which occupies the boards during the week [at the Royal, Oldham]. Six scenes, full of interest, keep the audience entertained throughout, the plot being an excellent one. Mr. A. Chris Hinton, in the title rôle of Ralph Sylvester, makes much of the character, and is well received. His brother, Lionel, is in the capable hands of J Knox-Orde. Ethel Monton has the delineation of Loyale Dare, a task which she accomplishes with much skill. The remaining characters are in capable hands’ (The Stage, 22 June 1916).

Performed for one week.

(The Stage - Thursday 18 October 1917)

Performers: Reginald Hartley (actor), Terry Davies (actor), Frank Caffrey (actor), Alfred Denville (actor), Jack McCaig (actor), Mr S Clewlow (actor), Mr J B Stanley (actor), Marjorie Denville (actress), Maysie Wright (actress), Godfrey Turner (actor)

The Era, 10 July 1918, listed The Amazing Marriage as On The Road from 8 July at the R., Oldham.

The Stage, 29 August 1918, listed Duty and The Girl as On Tour from 2 September at the R., Oldham. Also: ‘Duty and the Girl, by Clifford Rean, is staged this week [at the Royal, Oldham]. The various parts are in capable hands’ (The Stage, 5 September 1918).

The Stage, 12 December 1918, listed His Last Leave as On Tour from 16 December at the R., Oldham.

The Stage of Thursday 9 January 1919 showed “Married on Leave” as on tour at the 'R., Oldham' from 18 January [sic - 13 January?].

‘At the Royal [Oldham] the stock company present “The Black Sheep of the Family”‘ (The Era, 7 November 1923; also The Stage, 8 November 1923, which added, ‘Mr. John Millward is exceedingly well cast in the title-rôle’). The author of the play is not named, so there is no certainty that it was Gladys Hastings Walton, but no other play with the same title was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.

‘“A Man Forgets” and “Neither Wife Nor Maid” are the two attractions this week’ at the Royal, Oldham. The Stage, 15 October 1925.