Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
5 Apr 1915 Among the Missing Professional
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Runcorn Weekly News - Thursday 01 April 1915 PUBLIC BALL. RUNCORN General Manager - Mr. Bob Hamilton. Local Manager: Mr. Rory Mace 6-50 TWICE NIGHTLY 9-0. MONDAY, APRIL 5th, and During the Week. GRAND HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS. Special and Starring Engagement of DAVID BLAIR, " The Husband"; GARY FAY. "The Wife"; REG. J. TURNER, "The Friend." In Dramatic Episode that grips the heart with its thrilling intensity: "AMONG THE MISSING." Nantwich Guardian - Friday 02 April 1915 PUBLIC HALL. RUNCORN 7-0. - TWICE NIGHTLY. – 9-0. MONDAY. APRIL 5th. and During the Week. Grand Holiday Attractions. Star Acts. Special and Starring Engagement of DAVID BLAIR <'‘The Husband”. GABY FAY (The Wife). REG. J. TURNER “The Friend"'. Dramatic Episode that grips the hearts with its thrilling intensity: “AMONG THE MISSING." F.G Ingleby
18 Oct 1915 Mary from Tipperary Professional
24 Jan 1916 Pals Professional
8 May 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
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The Era, 3 and 10 May 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West as On The Road from 8 May at the Public Hall, Runcorn. Also The Stage, 4 May 1916.
5 Feb 1917 A Mother's Prayer Professional
16 Jul 1917 The Spirit of the Empire Professional
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'Under the Patronage of the Naval and Military Authorities. Nothing like this ever been seen in Runcorn and District before.' (Nantwich Guardian, 13 July 1917)
20 Aug 1917 Should a Woman Forgive? Professional
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Performed by Will Casey and company.
15 Oct 1917 The Spirit of the Empire Professional
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Performed for one week.
11 Nov 1917 Girl Mother Professional
17 Dec 1917 The Love Child Professional
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‘Next week Mr. Ernest Abbott’s company will pay a first visit to the town, playing “Neither Wife nor Maid” on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday evenings, and the world-renowned “Sapho” on’ Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - two performances nightly. The company includes Miss Ada Abbott, who plays the leading role in both pieces. “Neither Wife nor Maid” is a modern drama dealing with a problem of the times’ (Runcorn Guardian, 14 December 1917). ‘“Neither Wife Nor Maid.” A drama of intense human interest hearing the above title is presented at the Hall part of this week by Mr. Ernest Abbott’s company. The authoress of the play, who essays the leading part in it, can be congratulated upon her work as both dramatist and actress. The plot is out of the common, and the language in which the play is couched is far above the average and by no means deficient in literary grace. The piece “grips” from the epilogue to the denouement, and no audience need ask for a production with better sustained interest. Frankly, not much in the way of real writing is expected from the average “touring drama,” and it often depends entirely upon sensational situations for its attraction. This play differs and has features that reveal the authoress to possess a deep knowledge of her sex and of human nature. There is some first-rate acting, too, although not every part is adequately treated. Miss Abbott as Meg Huxter is first class, and the “character” work of Mr. W. H. Davis-Browne and Mr. Frank Payne reaches a high level. A most promising child actress in the person of Miss Nellie Crowther is a distinct acquisition to the cast. The drama will be repeated on Tuesday and Saturday’ (Runcorn Guardian, 18 December 1917).
7 Oct 1918 For Those in Peril on the Sea [A Son of the Sea] Professional
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‘“A Son of the Sea,” a first-rate drama, which is appearing this week at the Public Hall, has taken well with Runcorn audiences, and business is resulting. It is exceedingly well presented by a talented company. and the story unfolded has some thrilling incidents’ (Runcorn Weekly News, 11 October 1918). ‘Mr. Clifford Rean, the author of the drama holding the Hall stage this week, has written and produced many plays, but possibly none more attractive than this drama of the Cornish coast. It is thrilling, romantic, and pathetic in turn, has very ingeniously devised situations and some amusing comedy. The only criticism one can well offer is that the long arm of coincidence is stretched rather beyond belief once or twice, but possibly this is playwrights’ licence. The staging of the piece is very pretty and unusual. The storm scene and the rescue of the heroine from the swirling waves is most effective, and a novel scene is that set in the lantern of a lighthouse. There are ten scenes altogether. and every one is neat and up-to-date in style. Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company act the new play very satisfactorily. The author makes a capital hero, and Mr. John Worth is the bold, bad man of the play. Of the ladies Miss Maud Steeples perhaps shines most’ (Runcorn Guardian, 11 October 1918).
21 Oct 1918 Back To Blighty Professional
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‘Next week Miss Ivy Maurice’s company come for the week in four plays. On Monday and Tuesday the great play, “Back to Blighty,” will be staged, in which there is a scene from the battle of Trafalgar to celebrate Trafalgar day [21 October]’ (Runcorn Weekly News, 18 October 1918). Noted in The Stage, 24 October 1918: ‘On Monday and Tuesday Back to Blighty was presented to crowded audiences’. Also: ‘An unusual and interesting type of programme is presented this week at the Hall by Miss Ivy Maurice’s Company. On Monday evening a spy play, “Back to Blighty” with a strong nautical flavour was presented. It is as thrilling as anything of the kind well can be, and is admirably played. Miss Olive Williams as the heroine and Miss Kathleen Langbridge as the lady spy do particularly well. The dresses and staging are exquisite, and a fine tableau curtain, picturing the battle of Trafalgar, makes a “hit” with the audience. The play is followed by a capital variety entertainment, Miss Williams singing in dashing style and revealing her capacity as a “principal boy.” Mr. Jack Maitland, Miss Violet O’Connor, Miss Susie Vaughan and Mr. Tom Willey also take part with success (Runcorn Guardian, 25 October 1918).
28 Oct 1918 Rosy Island Professional
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The Runcorn Weekly News, 25 October 1918, advertised at the Public Hall on Monday 21 [sic] October and during the week ‘Tom Major presents the sparkling Musical Comedy “Rosy Island,” in 4 scenes. Sparkling Music, Beautiful Dresses, Gorgeous Scenery, Pretty Dresses, and all that a show should be’. Also, ‘“Rosy Island” differs from every musical comedy we have been insomuch as it possesses a plot - a real, original and ingenious plot worked out to a reasonable and logical conclusion without being often mislaid! Is original in an altogether unusual degree. It is a “problem play” in its way and the question propounded is – “What would become of the modern revue girl if she were suddenly placed in the position of having to wait on herself with no one to cook, sew and provide for her?” The “Rosy Island” Revue Company were shipwrecked. Had It not been for Rosie, one of its pretty girls, everyone would have starved in decent and seemly silence. But Rosy took command, cooked, sewed, bossed and encouraged others to bestir themselves until the rescue party arrived. This is the main story, but within it is another almost as diverting. “Rony Island” has more than a plot. It has charming music, excellent singing, pretty dresses and gorgeous scenery. On Monday evening a Runcorn audience acclaimed it with delight as the best production of its kind seen locally for many moons. Certainly it is a long war ahead of the average “revue” production and the work of Miss Kitty Major, Mr Charles Falla and Miss Lily Ennis likes us well. The comedy of the play is clean and clever and the scene on Rosy Island which brings down the curtain is as pretty a stage picture as one need have’ (Runcorn Guardian, 1 November 1918).
2 Dec 1918 His Last Leave Professional
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‘A drama of the type that is very dear to Runcorn audiences has possession of the Hall this week, and is likely to attract large audiences. It is a cleverly written and interesting play, which gains much by capital acting. The company quite distinguished itself on Monday evening, and, although labouring under the disadvantage of having a leading lady absent with the all-prevalent ‘flu, did most capable work. The story which Mr. Clifford Rean has penned is that of the soldier husband whose trust in his wife is shaken by evil tongues during his absence at the front. When his world seems likely to topple about him the situation is happily saved and the curtain falls on reconciliation and reunion. Three of the scenes are notably novel. One represents a dug-out, the other the famed “No Man’s Land,” and the third a dressing station behind the trenches. They provoked the hearty applause of the soldier element in the audience, which is in itself a distinct compliment. Mr. Wright Scaddan, as the hero of the play and Mr. Albert Carron [sic] as the necessary “scoundrel” act particularly well’. Runcorn Guardian, 3 December 1918
17 Mar 1919 The Live Wire Professional
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‘Lovers of really decent plays had a treat this week in Mr. Ernest Norris’ repertory company. “The Live Wire” was the attraction on Monday and Tuesday, this being a very clever spy drama, in which the secret was very ingeniously retained until the end of the last act. Mr. E. Norris, the powerful newspaper magnate and tracker down of spies, was a distinct success’. Runcorn Weekly News, 21 March 1919.