Hippodrome, Rochdale

Performed by Gilbert Heron and company.

Large audiences have been attracted to the Hippodrome, Newgate, twice nightly this week, and the entertainment provided has proved very enjoyable. Mr. Fred. Clayden's company present a naval comedy "The Mystery Gun." The other artistes are the Three Ryewoods, instrumentalists; Mart and Pep, acrobats; Jack Fortescue, who gives vocal and character studies; May Erne and He; ballad singers; Tew and Lea, comedians; and Nellie Sylvester, vocalist and dancer. (Rochdale Observer - Saturday 23 December 1916)

Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.

The Rochdale Observer, 29 September 1917, advertised at the Royal Hippodrome on 1 October and during the week ‘Magini and Major’s “Special Edition” of “Stop Press” Musical Comedy, Introducing all the Latest Tit-bits of the Revue World’, under the personal supervision of Tom Major. The revue comprised seven scenes: Summer Time, by Kitty Major and Company; Killing Time, by Dan Denton and Kitty Major; War Time, by the Soldiers’ Wives; Passing Time, by Ennis Myne and Kitty Major; Pierrot Time, by the Kit I. Did’s Concert Party; Fashion Time, Beauty and Dress; and Winter Time, by the full company. Other cast members named in the advertisement were Nellie Gwinnell, Amy Pollard, Nellie Gannon, True Steel and Sam Shirke. Also on the bill were La Petite Olivette, a dancing marvel and miniature actress-vocalist; Bairnsfather’s cartoons no. 5, and other interesting pictures; and Mdlle. Zampa, a graceful gymnast. Also, ‘The Hippodrome was crowded at each house on Monday evening, when the Major and Magini Company appeared in the “Special Edition of the Stop Press Revue.” Catchy songs, dances, and much nonsense are features of the revue, and the dresses are bright and attractive. A monologue entitled “The fellow with a conscience that objects,” given by Miss Kitty Major, has a popular ring about it. The principal vocalist is Miss Lily Ennis, and there is a capable chorus. Miss Kitty Major and Mr. Dan Denton are responsible for the laughter-producing department. The closing scene, “Winter time,” is a beautiful spectacle' (Rochdale Observer, 3 October 1917; a shorter version of the notice appeared in the Rochdale Observer, 6 October 1917).

Performed for the week by Harry Buss. Others on the same bill: The Sisters Tremper (American Novelty Equilibrists), Gaumont's War Graphic Etc, Ethel Castaldini (musical comedy favourite), Josephine Langley (Lady Ventriloquist), the Realms (artistic dancing duo), Marvello (the Entertaining Magician), Those Four Kids (actual sisters in a Happy Razzle), Mlle San San (Japanese juggler), Dainty Lillian (vocalist and dancer), Harry Riley (elocutionist).

This performance (theatre and start date) is included in a list of previous performances of “Married on Leave” in The Stage of Thursday 1 August 1918.

‘Crowded audiences at the Hippodrome on Monday might seemed well pleased with the patriotic sketch “A German shell,” presented by Messrs. J. J. Mannix and E. Montefiore. The parts were well acted, Mr. Montefiore and Mr. C. Carte especially giving very capable studies. The Irishman who went farming in Canada years before returned in the uniform of the British Army, and when his brother, a Sinn Fein officer in Ireland, learned of the heroism of a nurse - his fiancee she proved to be - who was killed by a German shell, he decided at once to be done with Sinn Fein and fight the cause of the freedom of all small nations’. Rochdale Observer, 24 July 1918.

Performed by Margot Delan. In the same bill were: Brocks Cycling Maniacs, Royal Gothams (comic/vocal), Carlton Trio (musical), Two Wandas (pedestal equilibrists), Dancit (American Dancing Nugget).

Performed by Cora Duncan & Albert Brasque.

6.45 & 8.45 Twice nightly, Saturdays and Holidays 6.40. Maximilian the Great! The World's most Wonderful Chimpanzee. Duncan and Godfrey in a comedy conversation concerning "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." (Rochdale Observer - Saturday 9 November 1918)