Grand, Halifax

Oswald Cray advertised in The Stage, 7 October 1915, that ‘Hundreds [were] Turned Away last Saturday Night at the Grand Theatre, Halifax, with my South Company of “The Unmarried Mother”’.

The Era, 29 March 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West (South) as On The Road from 27 March at the Grand, Halifax. Also The Stage, 23 and 30 March 1916.

‘A new play, “Home Once More,” on the twice-nightly principle, is the attraction at the Grand Theatre [next week]. The authoress is Miss Emma Litchfield, who has provided the stage with many successful dramas, and the representing company is one of her own selection. She also takes the leading role. The play, which has a naval setting, is unfolded in seven scenes, the concluding one supplying the title’. Halifax Evening Courier, 10 June 1916.

‘Grand Theatre. “The Unmarried Mother,” Mr. Oswald Cray’s latest production, occupies the boards during the current week at this popular drama house. As the title implies, the story concerns one of the greatest problems Society has to face. Miss Kitty Darling, who plays the role, has already won her spurs, and her fine portrayal in this piece seems to increase her reputation as an emotional actress. The other parts are all in safe and tried hands’. Halifax Evening Courier, 6 March 1917.

‘“For Motherland,” which is being produced twice nightly this week at the Grand Theatre (Friday excepted) is a stirring up-to-date drama. With a naval setting, it shows how a young officer saved his country’s secrets from German agents. A strong company, with Miss Clare O’Sullivan and Mr. C. Elton Morgan in the leading roles, make the play one of gripping intensity. On Friday only a new drama “The woman who dared” will be presented’. Halifax Evening Courier, Tuesday 31 July 1917.

‘“For Motherland,” which is being produced twice nightly this week at the Grand Theatre (Friday excepted) is a stirring up-to-date drama … On Friday only a new drama “The woman who dared” will be presented’. Halifax Evening Courier, Tuesday 31 July 1917.

‘Mr. Oswald Cray’s Co. made a good impression at the Grand last night when they appeared in the new drama “The man who made good” … By special request on Friday night a problem play on a topical question, “The Unmarried Mother,” will be given. This is by the same author as “The man who made good,” viz., C. Vernon Proctor’. Halifax Evening Courier, 26 February 1918.

‘At the Grand Theatre next week, Mr. Oswald Cray will present the famous up-to-date drama, founded on facts, and entitled “The Man Who Made Good.” On Friday night the same company will, by special request, produce “The Unmarried Mother,” by C. Vernon Proctor, being the latest problem play on the burning question of the day’. Halifax Guardian, Saturday 23 February 1918.

Venue and dates mentioned in advertisements in The Era, 22 May 1918 and The Stage, 23 and 30 May 1918. Advertisement for Back From Overseas: ‘An immense success. The enthusiastic reception received at Dewsbury repeated at Halifax … and as J. Hinton, Esq., Manager at Halifax, says – “A Punch in every scene.”’. The Stage, 6 June 1918. Advertisement: ‘Back From Overseas produced Whit week at Dewsbury, scored an instantaneous success, which has been repeated without abatement at Halifax, Huddersfield and Bury'. The Stage 27 June 1918.

‘A story of to-day, entitled “Duty and the Girl,” will be staged [at the Grand Theatre] next week, by Mr. Joseph Millaine’s [sic] company. This is a drama of great topical interest, in which that talented actress, Miss Florence Churchill, takes the leading part, being capably supported by Mr. Vincent W. Carlyle, who has already done his “bit” in the King’s Royal Rifles in France. There is a strong wartime atmosphere about the seven scenes, one of which introduces us to a military hospital. On Friday, “Coward?” will be the special attraction, both plays being on the twice nightly system’ (Halifax Evening Courier, 7 September 1918).

The Halifax Evening Courier, Saturday 7 September 1918, previewed ‘Duty and The Girl’ which Joseph Millaine’s [sic – Millane’s] company was to stage at the Grand Theatre: ‘On Friday, “Coward?” will be the special attraction, both plays being on the twice nightly system’. Joseph Millane’s companies advertised in The Stage, 26 September 1918, ‘Love! Honour! And The Woman! (formerly entitled Coward?)’: ‘Enormous Success of this production. Halifax verdict emphasised at Huddersfield. A strong play, entirely original, with not a dull moment. The Comedy keeps the whole house rocking with laughter. More applause and laughter in one night in most productions in a month'.

At this popular house [the Grand Theatre] next week Miss Emma Litchfield will present the new romantic play, “The Queen and the Knave” … On Friday night they will present the ever-successful play, “Home Once More”‘. Halifax Guardian, 5 October 1918.

‘“On Leave for his Wedding” is a capital military drama spoiled by one unpleasant feature. The representation of a dissipated and immoral clergyman, in the garb of his order, is offensive. The inclusion of such a character is positively distasteful. Apart from this, the play pleases, and is well staged and well acted. The war scenes are effective, if not realistic, and give a sort of idea of what things may been “Somewhere in France.” The ladies of the company are clever. Miss Carrie Godfrey renders the part of Mavis Hope excellently, Angela Hope is admirably interpreted by Miss Stella Cedron, while Miss Daisy Spalding makes a charming Peggy Dimple and Messrs. J. F. Rawlins and Walter Humphries have no shortcomings as Capt Tressillau [sic] and Delphe [sic], and their colleagues, J. P. Lalleu [sic – Lallen?], J. H Knoles [sic], F. Hulme, J. Haines, and H. Wheeler help the play along with happy ability’. Halifax Evening Courier, 13 May 1919.

Advertised in the Halifax Evening Courier, 16 August 1919: ‘Welcome return of the stirring naval drama For Sweethearts and Wives. 800th performance by the full London company’. On Friday the 22nd ‘the intense naval play’ The Silent Watch would be performed. Also, ‘Arthur Rosebery’s stirring naval drama, “For Sweethearts and Wives,” pays a return visit to Halifax next week, being down for performance at the Grand each evening but Friday. It met with a splendid reception on the company’s visit to the Royal, and their admirers will welcome the reappearance of Hettie Gale, Polly Marsh, Ab. (i.e. Cole) Aspinall, George Watson, and Jackson Hayes, in their original roles. On this occasion, of course, they will be playing the “twice nightly” version, which includes the thrilling submarine and battleship scenes. On Friday evening Arthur Rosebery will present his new naval play, “The Silent Watch"' (Halifax Evening Courier, 16 August 1919).

This was the second of a two-week season at this theatre. ‘Miss Emma Litchfield’s Repertory Company continues for another week, with a new bill. “Always welcome” is a nice little drama, and quite distinctive in its own unpretentious way. In the role of Emma Summers, Miss Litchfield is perfectly happy and appears at her best. Miss Rose Carr, in the character of Rosie Summers, figures delightfully, and reveals a special ability for such parts. Mr. T. C. Jackson’s “Philip Webster” is a fine representation, and Miss Winifred Rutland’s “Mabel” a clever example of dramatic capacity. Miss Claire Elkington makes Tiny Leith [sic – Little] a popular character, and Mr. Tony Snape excels himself as Ned Fore. Harry Clifton is capably rendered by Mr. Frank Rothwell, and Messrs. T. Campbell, P. J. Barnett, J. Cooper, and Miss Nellie Westerman play minor parts in a praiseworthy manner’ (The Halifax Evening Courier, 30 September 1919).

‘The Evelyn A’Dell emotional play, “Love, Honour, and the Woman,” promises to prove a special attraction this week. It is an intense drama of the human passions, in which love and hate, virtue and vice, contend for the mastery, and in which some of the scenes are only too real in trend. The story is told in seven absorbing scenes, well acted by a small and select company. Miss Laurie Adair’s Bess is an impressive performance, and Mr. Vincent Carlyle’s Richard Thornton a decidedly good representation. In the role of Lady Constance, Miss May Lovett reproduces a type with unfaltering skill, and Mr. Roland Hope characterises Handel [sic – Harold] Thornton perfectly. Miss Bertha Hanbury gives a capital tone to Josey, Mr. Fergus Leslie renders his part cleverly and faithfully, while Mr. George Milford could hardly be improved upon as Poulter’. Halifax Evening Courier, 28 October 1918.

Twice nightly, 6.40 & 8.45. (Halifax Evening Courier Wednesday 3 March 1920)

‘The problem play, “Neither Wife nor Maid,” is billed for the Grand Theatre each evening [next week] but Friday. Friday night “Sapho” will be substituted. The caste in each instance will be sustained by Ernest R. Abbott’s Co., which includes Miss Ada Abbott and Mr. John Johnston’ (Halifax Evening Courier, 29 May 1920). ‘A problem play, “Neither wife nor maid,” figures at the Northgate theatre [the Grand] this week, and is certainly based on an absorbing theme, calculated to draw good houses. Arranged in a prologue and six scenes, the play covers a period of ten years, and is cleverly performed. In the role of Curley Saunders, Mr. John Johnson gives a convincing exhibition of his versatile ability, and Miss Ada Abbott provides a perfect representation of Meg Huxton [sic – Huxter]. Mr. Ernest W. Parr, as Steve Warden, Mr. Edward Fryer, as the Rev. Peter, and Mr. Edwin Keene as the butler, are capitally fitted for their parts, and Messrs. W. H. Davis-Brown, John Drake, and Bert Whitmore, are responsible for some excellent acting. The ladies of the company are a strong group, Miss Annie Morgan portraying Mrs Huxter admirably, Miss Mary Dean making a good success of Mrs. Warden, Miss Agnes Kingston presenting a realistic Dowager, and Miss Margaret Dickinson shining in the character of Lady Rose, a childless wife. “Tommy” is a taking little fellow as created by the art of Miss Nellie Crowther, and Misses Isabel Singleton and Marion Holly, as housekeeper and housemaid, complete a first-rate caste’ (Halifax Evening Courier, 1 June 1920).