Theatre Royal, Smethwick

The work was performed by around sixty performers and 'provides some imposing scenes' with the departure and transportation of troops, destruction of Rheims Cathedral and sinking of the Kaiser's Fleet being of particular note for reviewers.

‘This week at the Smethwick Royal, Mr. Ernest Abbott’s company give a capital performance of “The Love Child.” Miss Ada Abbott could not be improved upon in her portrayal of Meg Huxter, the heroine. The whole of the parts are well sustained, and Miss Nellie Crowther was admirable in the title role’. Birmingham Daily Gazette and the Evening Despatch, 26 October 1915.

‘For next week the booking is one of the latest of Oswald Cray’s dramas. Miss Laurie Adair appears in the principal role of Eileen’ (Smethwick Telephone, 6 November 1915). Oswald Cray advertised in The Stage, 18 November 1915, that ‘Hundreds [were] turned away last Saturday night at the Theatre Royal, Smethwick, with my North Company of “The Unmarried Mother”’.

‘The war has afforded splendid material for the imagination of playwriters. The latest production of Mr. G. Carlton Wallace, which has for its title The Enemy in Our Midst, is a notable example. It is not too much to assume that this drama, which appears at our local amusement house on Monday, will be ranked as a favourite. Miss Lalla Stanhope appears as Elise Carstone, and Mr. John Parker, as Lord Northwood (of the Admiralty)’. Smethwick Telephone, 13 November 1915.

Performed as 'The Glorious Day'

Twice nightly 6.45 and 9 pm

The Era, 15 December 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (North) as On The Road from 13 December at the T.R., Smethwick. Also The Stage, 9 and 16 December 1915.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

Twice nightly. Two companies now touring with this gigantic success. The authoress wishes it to be clearly understood that this is not a war drama simply it is a delightful and interesting story of present day home life. No gun shots, pistols, knives or bombs are introduced.

Performed by Leondard Mortimer's company.

Twice nightly.

‘Miss Gladys Hastings Walton has written a topical play entitled “The Black Sheep of the Family,” and it is being given at the Theatre Royal, Smethwick, this week. Last night there was a capital send off. Mr. Arthur Hinton appeared in the role of Ralph Sylvester’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 6 June 1916).

‘The play next week [at the Theatre Royal] is imbued with pathos. Miss Emma Litchfield and her selected company will give a production, entitled “Home Once More.” It is quite a new play, and founded, as it is, on incidents in the life of those who “go down to the sea in ships,” it is calculated to be of redoubled interest in these momentous times. There is a homely influence pervading the career of a much-maligned hero, which sustains him through all vicissitudes, and brings him triumphantly through all trials. The play is under the personal supervision of the authoress, who has already a number of well-established successes to her credit. Miss Emma Litchfield herself essays the role of “Mary Lorraine,” whilst Mr S. F. [sic] Goodyer-Kettley has been chosen to portray the character of “Captain Geoffrey Forrester.” The scenic arrangements are features which enhance the whole production’ (Smethwick Telephone, 9 September 1916). ‘“Home Once More” is the title of the play which commenced a week’s run at the Smethwick Theatre last night. The talented authoress and actress, Miss Emma Litchfield, appeared with success in the role of Mary Lorraine, and Mr. S. F. [sic] Goodyer-Kettley gave a forceful interpretation of Captain Geoffrey Forrester’ (Evening Despatch, 12 September 1916). ‘The authoress of the play, “Home Once More,” Miss Emma Litchfield, added another to her list of honours at Smethwick Theatre Royal last night when she appeared in the principal part of Mary Loraine. There were large audiences. The clever acting was a feature of the play, which deals so well with the home-coming of Captain Forester’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 12 September 1916).

Review in Birmingham Daily Gazette 19 September 1916: " Somebody Knows. Somebody Cares met with a very warm welcome at Smethwick last night. It was the first time this admirable story of the waif ..." Unable to access newspaper for further details.

‘Mr. Oswald Gray [sic – Cray], although not fortunate in the choice of a title for his latest play (“The Wife with Two Husbands”), has been very fortunate in the selection of the company to present it. The drama was given a very cordial reception at Smethwick Theatre Royal last night, when it made its first appearance. Mr. Jerrold Heather and Miss Daisy Cork [sic – Cook] were at the head of the bill’ (Evening Despatch, 7 November 1916). ‘The capable company which Mr. Oswald Gray [sic – Cray] has secured for the presentation of his latest drama, ‘“The Wife with Two Husbands,” met with a rousing reception at the Smethwick Theatre Royal last night. There is a matinee to-morrow’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 7 November 1916). ‘The engagement of Mr. Oswald Cray’s Company in an exceptionally forcible drama of up-to-date interest, has given satisfaction to local play-goers’ (Smethwick Telephone, 11 November 1916).

6.45 & 9pm Matinee Wednesday 2.30 (Birmingham Daily Gazette Thursday 16 November 1916)

Performed by Will Casey and company.

Advertising in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 27 November 1916.

Performed here for one week.

Performed by Will Casey and company.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co. Other acts on Bill: "Daddy's Girl"

The Smethwick Telephone, 30 June 1917, reported that the booking at the Theatre Royal for the following week would be ‘“Always Welcome” … staged under the supervision of Miss Emma Litchfield, who is also responsible for the compilation of the story, and takes the leading role of Emma Summers, the character in whom probably the most interest centres. Mr. Conrad E. Stratford appears as Philip West’. Also, ‘“Always Welcome,” the title of the play produced by Miss Emma Lichfield [sic] [at the Theatre Royal], has been appropriately named. It is a drama which receives a welcome wherever it is staged’ (Smethwick Telephone, 7 July 1917).

Performed as 'The Middy V.C. Comes Home'

‘The coming entertainment [at the Theatre Royal] is a play entitled “His Last Leave.” The company has been organised by Mr. Will H. Glaze, and is under the direction of Mr. F. E. Chabot. The story has been written from incidents out in France, and it is understood the scenery bears a striking similarity to portions of the British line of dug-outs. Mr. J. P. Marsden and Miss Lilian Fenn take prominent roles’. Smethwick Telephone, 8 September 1917. When James Hart and Lena Brand inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 13 September 1917 (‘16th week, Lead and Soubrette, “His Last Leave"') their address was Smethwick.

Two performances per night plus Wednesday matinee ('Birmingham Daily Gazette', 18 October 1917, p. 4)

The Stage, 18 and 25 October 1917, listed The Black Sheep of the Family as On Tour from 22 October at Smethwick, presumably with Arthur Hinton's touring company. Advertised in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 22 October 1917 (title only). When Arthur Hinton advertised in The Stage, 25 October 1917, for theatres for The Black Sheep of the Family, his address was the T.R., Smethwick.

Twice nightly. Matinee on Wednesday.

‘At the Smethwick Theatre Royal [next week], “The Voice on the ‘Phone” is to be presented by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 12 January 1918.

‘The oncoming week has for its play one of Mr. Leonard Mortimer’s productions, entitled “Deliver the Goods.” This is a true moving of selfishness and sacrifice, written specially to appeal for the future prosperity of brave lads when they return in their hundreds of thousands from across the seas … It will be played by Mr. Mortimer’s No. 1 London Company, which includes Miss Ida Clifford, Mr. Richard Cowell, Mr. L. Mortimer, and other stars’. Smethwick Telephone, 23 February 1918.

Advertised in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 18 March 1918.

‘“A Son of the Sea” [at the Smethwick Royal] had the advantage of being quite topical. Mr. Clifford Rean has brought into the story some capital incidents, and Mr. Wm. H. Glaze had a company which was capable in every way’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 30 April 1918.

(The Stage Thursday 9th May 1918)

Played for a week

This performance (theatre and start date) is included in a list of performances of “Married on Leave” in The Stage of Thursday 1 August 1918. ‘A war drama written by Miss Dorothy Mullard [sic] was the very acceptable fare at [the Smethwick Royal] last night. The title is “Married on Leave,” and the principal parts were taken by Miss Mullard [sic] and Mr. Royce Carleton’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 30 July 1918.

‘A delightful comedy, infused with the freshness of the country, and the humorous aids of the Women’s Auxiliary Movement, has been staged [at the Theatre Royal] during the week by Mr. Frank Liston and Company. Miss Ruby Kimberley is one of the central figures in the cast. She is ably supported by a good all-round company of comedians and artistes’. Smethwick Telephone, 21 September 1918.

‘The naval play, “For Sweethearts and Wives,” has had a splendid reception during the week [at the Theatre Royal]. Mr. Arthur Rosebery (the producer) has woven an excellent story from material supplied by current events on the high seas’. Smethwick Telephone, 28 September 1918.

Advertised in the Smethwick Telephone, 2 November 1918: ‘Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company, under the direction of F. E. Chabot, presents the most realistic play of the times- His Last Leave’. Also: ‘The entertainment for the forthcoming week is provided by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company in the play, “His Last Leave.” The gist of events, built up by Mr. Clifford Rean, centres round a picturesque English village, and anon to the dugouts of France, and the devasted country of No-man’s land. Under the direction of Mr. F. E. Chabot the play has acquired a realistic touch. Mr. J. W. Evelyn, Mr. H. Wright-Scaddan, and Miss Lilian Fenn render leading roles’ (Smethwick Telephone, 2 November 1918).

‘At the Theatre Royal, Rolfe Street, one of Clifford Rean’s latest works, “The Girl Who Changed her Mind,” will be presented by Messrs. Wm. H. Glaze and Wilson Benge’s No. 1 Company. This drama represents war events of 1914, and includes Mr. Wilson Benge and Miss Sadie Smith’. Smethwick Telephone, 16 November 1918.

Advertised in the Smethwick Telephone, 23 November 1918, as ‘the cheery and cheerful patriotic revue’; the cast would include Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, Fred Ellis and a full London company of artistes. Also: ‘Theatre-goers were evidently in the mood for revue, and Mr. Arthur Rosebery’s company played to a crowded house [at the Smethwick Royal] last night. Miss Hettie Gale, Dave O’Toole, Will Priestley, and Fred Ellis were successful in their efforts. “Real Sports” is the title of the revue’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 26 November 1918).

Performed for the week.

Mentioned in advertisements in The Stage, 21 and 28 November 1918 and the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 18 December 1918. The 28 November 1918 advertisement in The Stage uses the title Back to Wife and Home.

Performed for the week

... on Friday Mr. Glaze will take the leading part in "John Raymond's Daughter". ('Birmingham Daily Gazette', 2 March 1920, p. 3)

The Smethwick Telephone, Saturday 12 September 1931, advertised ‘The Royal Players Present The Black Sheep of the Family by Gladys Hastings Walton’ at the Theatre Royal commencing Monday next. The cast would include G. Hamilton Langham, Sydney Andrews, Arthur Turnbull, R. Geoffrey Wood, Dorinea Shirley and Dorothy Frere. On Friday night only David Garrick would be played. ‘“The Black Sheep of the Family” - the production to be staged next week [at the Theatre Royal] - possesses an intensely dramatic story and has always proved a huge success wherever performed. All the characters have been admirably cast and Royal patrons could not have a finer opportunity of seeing their favourites at their best’ (Smethwick Telephone, Saturday 12 September 1931).