Scala Theatre, Seacombe

‘Mrs. F. G. Kimberley’s latest domestic drama, The Little Grey Home in the West, is being played by Mr Ernest Vaughan’s company, and its popularity is amply proved by the good houses and the high appreciation of the audiences. The interest throughout is well sustained, and the interpretation of the agreeable, exciting, and not too obvious situations leaves nothing to be desired. Mr. Edward E. Ashby is well placed as Cecil Standing, a character he carries through with sincerity and ability. Mr. Ernest Vaughan acts the part of Dick Bryant with a forcefulness which is convincing. The lustful and avaricious Robert Standing is played with success by Mr. Frank Eaglesfield, who always makes his lines effective. The sympathy of the audience is awakened by the capital acting of Miss Pauline Nanton as the badly treated Mary Bryant. Peggy Bryant is played with intelligence and power by Miss Madge Douglas, the loyal feeling for her sister being sweetly and feelingly expressed. The ambitions of Mrs. Standing are excellently portrayed by Miss Ada Roscoe in a charming and dignified manner. Miss Ellen Beverley assists in the success of the play by her picture of Mrs. Bryant. The play is well staged and dressed’. The Stage, 2 September 1915.

"A" Company

‘“The Day Before the Day,” a drama dealing with the German espionage system, was well received by the patrons of the [Scala Theatre, Seacombe] last night. The plot, which is admirably worked out, shows the frustration of spies by a Scotland Yard man. Owing to the indisposition of Mr. Rupert Lister the role of Captain Guy Hourson [sic – Howison] was taken by Mr Hugh Lyndhurst, who did full justice to it. He was ably supported Miss Cecile Barclay as Victoria Buckingham, and a strong company’ (Liverpool Echo, 19 October 1915). Reviewed in The Stage, 21 October 1915, which names the cast members as Hugh Lyndhurst (deputising for the indisposed Rupert Lister), Cecile Barclay, Charles Wiseman (doubling Von Ardel and Karl Pulitzer), Arthur E Pringle, Wallace Evenett [sic - Evennett], Bruce Lindley, Hubert Brett, Thomas Read, Lilian Seaton, and Mary Horton.

Performed by Leonard Mortimer's Company.

The Stage - Thursday 31 August 1916)

The Era, 15 and 22 November 1916, listed Home Once More as On The Road from 20 November at the Scala, Seacombe. And when Miss Emma Litchfield’s company advertised Home Once More in The Stage, 16 November 1916, the address for the following week was the Scala, Seacombe. Also noted in The Era, 22 November 1916.

The Stage, 2 and 9 August 1917, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home (Red Co.) as On Tour from 6 August at the Scala, Seacombe. ‘The attraction at the Seacombe Scala is “The Man Who Stayed at Home," a very cleverly-written espionage play, thrilling and humorous in turn. A secret wireless installation is a feature. It scored well last evening, and its visit to Seacombe is full of promise' (Liverpool Echo, 7 August 1917). ‘This popular place of amusement [the Scala, Seacombe] re-opened on Monday with E. Taylor Platt’s company with “The Man Who Stayed at Home,” and good business is being done. A fine cast includes Clifford Marle, Arthur Ellis, J. Edward Pearce, Malcolm Cumming, Jean Stanley, Valerie Richards, Christine Cooper, Frances Waring, Ethel Coleridge, and Edith Cuthbert’ (The Stage, 9 August 1917).

Advertised in the Liverpool Echo, 3 December 1917, to be performed by Will H. Glaze’s company. ‘A war drama, “His Last Leave,” at Seacombe’s Scala is full of thrilling episodes, but it is “touched” by comedy. The play will appeal to Scala patrons’ (Liverpool Echo, 4 December 1917). ‘The attractive military atmosphere and the strong domestic scenes depicted in “His Last Leave” win much sympathy from large audiences [at the Seacombe Scala]’. Named cast members were J. P. Marsden, James Hart, Lilian Fenn, H. Wright Seadden [sic -Scaddan] (as Robert Saltire), Fred E. Chabot, Millie Phillips, Joss Hart, Charles Leverton, George Smith and Lena Brand (The Stage, 6 December 1917).

‘Bright and snappy is the revue “Special Edition,” at the Seacombe Scala. Starring in a top-notch company are Kitty Major, Tubby Turner, and Ennis Myne’. Liverpool Echo, 7 May 1918.