Empire Theatre, Birmingham

'is a playlet written with a purpose, and teaching a lesson which the present time, it is to feared, is much needed.' (Birmingham Mail, 22 Febraury 1916). Cast included Elsie Craig, E. Rayson-Cousens, Frank Denis, and Richard Bosco.

P. Moss' Empires, A.M., Mr. G.E. Williams - "They Didn't Want To Do It," Lew Lake's new production earns a good reception here. Charlie Rich is the leading individualist, but there is plenty of other talent in the cast and the show goes with a good swing. Freddie Malcolm and Forest Tell who have a hand in elaborating new dances and ensembles for the production, figure on the stage, as does Claude Gardner. Among the ladies Elsie Roby, Ada Terry, and Dorothy Wheeler take the leads. Variety turns are contributed by George d'Albert, Jock Whiteford, and the Flying Reos. (The Era - Wednesday 20 December 1916)

Performed for the week by Harry Buss. Other acts on the same bill: Nelly Wallace (singer and actress), the Vogues, the Five Gregorys (performance with hoops), Phil Ralli Trio (acrobats and comedy vocalists), Firenza Quartette, and a series of films on 'The Romance of the life of Lloyd George'. 'It is not so screamingly funny as the programme suggests: in parts it is dull...One or two songs, especially that by a nurse, helped the sketch along, but it will need much brightening in dialogue and incident before it justifies the description of a "screaming comedy sketch"' (Birmingham Daily Post, 13 February 1917)

Miss Inez Bensuson [sic] presented the playlet, supported by Elaine Inesconit [sic – Inescort] and Shirley King, two well-known actresses of the Woman’s Theatrical Company. It was performed from 19-24 February twice nightly at 6.50pm and 9pm.

‘Charles Austin gives the cleverest and most amusing skit on the Tribunal that has yet been seen in Birmingham in his sketch, “Parker’s Appeal,” a scream from beginning to end. Austin is as funny as he has ever been in this sketch, and assisting him is quite a good crowd of comedians, whose names do not appear on the programme’ (Evening Despatch, 23 October 1917). ‘Mr. Charles Austin’s latest “Parker” sketch, which was at the Surrey Theatre last week, proved quite as funny as its predecessors. This time we see Parker as a brewery employee, who has to appear before the Local Tribunal at 7 o’clock that evening. In this first scene, which takes place in his home at 5 o’clock, many funny scenes occur; and in the second, outside the Tribunal, there are also numerous amusing incidents. In the third scene, the Tribunal, we see Parker for a time impersonating the Mayor, and finally, after his wife has given him away, he is ordered to join the Colours on the morrow. Parker thanks the Mayor for making him see his duty, and declaring his joy at doing it; but his last request, readily granted by the Mayor before knows its purport, is that he (Parker) may be excused service “until the war is over.” Mr. Charles Austin acts very cleverly as Parker, and scores all the time. We are unable to award individual praise to the other members of the cast, as no names are given on the programme, but all are successful’ (The Era, 24 October 1917).

Performed by: Mary Mayfren Reviews: "a powerful one-act play"

Performed this week by George Hestor (actor), Dorothy Flastichi (sic - Frostick) (actress), Ethel Arden (actress), Joan Hestor (actress), Marie Ellis (actress), Norman Carn (actor), J. R. Blay (actor), Nat Lewis (actor). ‘Nosey Knows, which is the top-liner at the Empire Theatre, is not a revue or a musical comedy, but it embraces the best elements of both without having anything very much in common with either. It is one of the snappy, high-spirited Karno creations. It is in three scenes, and has a merry host of comedy merchants to carry the merriment and hilarity briskly along’. (Evening Despatch, 16 February 1918) ‘A Karno sketch is hardly expected to contain a deeply-laid plot, but the production with the title Nosey Knows, for which Mr. Karno is responsible at the Empire this week, has both plot and an exceedingly smart dialogue. Mr. Will Hay, as “Nosey”, has the support of a capable company’. (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 19 February 1918)

Performers: Fred Kitchen, Nora Delany

‘“Rations,” a short revue, presented by Mr. Fred Karno at the Empire Theatre last night, is an amusing skit on the present food difficulties. There are a succession of humorous scenes, and Robb Wilton, the comedian, makes the most of them. He is supported by a capable company, including Miss Winnie Collins, a sprightly and versatile artiste' (Birmingham Mail, 9 April 1918). ‘“Rations,” a short revue presented at the Empire Theatre by Fred Karno, lends itself to humorous treatment, and Robb Wilton, Winnie Collins, and the other members of the company take full advantage of the opportunities of raising a laugh. There are six scenes, some of them pretty, but all staged with the idea of creating fun, and chief among them are “The meatless butcher” and “Tank day"' (Evening Despatch, 9 April 1918). ‘“Rations,” the revuette which is being presented at the Empire Theatre this week by Mr. Fred Karno, can be recommended to those in search of bright and humorous entertainment. It bubbles over with fun - indeed, there is scarcely a moment during its course that there is not to laugh at, thanks in the main to Robb Wilton, who is supported by a number of capable artists. He makes plenty of capital out of the scene “The Meatless Butcher,” whilst even more laughable is the skit on the British workman employed on Government work - namely, laying down a telephone to a Tank. Miss Winnie Collins wins approval by her singing and acting, and with the choruses supporting the principals admirably the whole performance goes with a swing' (Birmingham Daily Post, 9 April 1918).

‘Novel and varied in character, the turns at the Empire Theatre this week constitute an interesting and enjoyable entertainment … The sketch, “The Johnson ‘Ole,” by Captain Bairnsfather and B. Macdonald Hastings, in which Harry Thurston appears with marked success in his original character as Old Bill the Walrus,” is deserving of its description as an episode of real trench humour’. Birmingham Daily Post, 11 June 1918.

Duncan and Godfrey. The famous Cockney Comedy Couple in their successful scena "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (The Era - Wednesday 11 September 1918)

Advertised in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 22 December 1919, as ‘an episode of 1915’. Also: ‘Although somewhat out date Charles Austin’s sketch, “Parker’s Appeal,” is still a good tonic for the blues’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 23 December 1919). ‘Charles Austin and company appear with great success in “Parker’s Appeal.” The humour is first-rate. and here and there the sketch has been improved with crisp and up-to-date dialogue and incident. Charles Austin is always in the picture, and he is well supported’ (The Stage, 25 December 1919). ‘Charles Austen’s [sic] sketch “Parker’s Appeal” at the Empire kept the audience in merry mood’ (Birmingham Daily Gazette, 27 December 1919).

‘Charles Austin provoked roars of merriment last night in “The Adventures of Parker, P.C.,” which he wrote jointly with Charles Ridgwell. The audience had scarcely finished laughing over one point before Austin, with his inimitable mannerisms, set them off again. The comedy was in three episodes, which dealt with a matrimonial agency, a war-time tribunal, and Parker’s career as a policeman. His face is his fortune as far as comedy is concerned, but Charles Austin showed unexpected signs of serious dramatic acting. However, all these spasms, as they proved to be, ended suddenly in a screamingly funny and entirely unexpected way which entranced and convulsed the audience ... There was a splendid supporting cast, of which it would he invidious to mention one name more than another’. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 20 August 1929.