Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon, London

The Stage, 20 September 1917, listed For Sweethearts and Wives as On Tour from 24 September at Wimbledon. Advertised in The People, 23 September 1917.

The Era, 23 January 1918, reviewed ‘Woman and Whisky’, a play in one act by Esme Wynee [sic] and Noel Coward, produced at the Wimbledon Theatre on Monday, 21 January. The cast was: Major Curtis, Cyril Melton; Mr. Loner, Kenneth Black; Norah, Nancy Bevill; Mrs. Vandeleur, Aistrie Pharall. The review continued: ‘The motive of this new curtain raiser is slight, dealing with a wealthy major, who seeks solitude from a ballroom to enjoy undisturbed a ”drop of scotch,” but he is interrupted by, first, a demure woman of the world, and then by an ingenue, both of whom are on matrimonial thoughts intent. To circumvent their attentions and so secure quiet and his refreshment, the wily major invents an imaginary wife supposed to be at Brighton, and they both believe the story and quickly leave him to solitude. Incidentally, he relates a thrilling adventure in India to his audience of two, who interrupt him repeatedly with amusing comments. At last, free to enjoy his glass, the military gent. encounters a male friend, whom he requests not to give him away to either of his fair admirers. This little piece was brightly acted ..'. The Stage, 24 January 1918, reviewed ‘Woman and Whisky’ by Esme Wynee [sic] and Noel Coward at Wimbledon, which ‘forms the curtain raiser to Cyril Harcourt’s comedy ‘A Pair of Silk Stockings’. Much of the review is illegible on the British Newspaper Archive. It describes the play as ‘quite interesting and entertaining up to a point, but its(?) central idea is somewhat weak. It is rather difficult, in fact, to discover any ingenuity of purpose in the story, and one is inclined to suggest the adoption of a more applicable title than the rather melodramatic appellation used at present’.

Performed by the Haymarket Company from 3 March - 8 March 1919: Dennis Eadie (actor), Holman Clarke (actor), James Carey (actor), Charles Groves (actor), Evelyn Ormonde (actress), Marion Lorne (actress), Vincent Sternroyd (actor), G. Zucco (actor), H. Gilbey (actor), Melville Phyllips (actor), Henry Scatchard (actor), C. Vernon Proctor (actor) 'Crowded houses welcomed the appearance of Mr Thomas C. Dagnall's strong company, who include Mr Dennis Eadie in The Freedom of the Seas, transferred direct from the Haymarket.' (Stage, 6 March 1919)

At The Wimbledon, listed among ‘London Theatres’, 'Mr. Frederick G. Lloyd presents “Tails Up” this week. Mr. William Nixon played well in the parts of the proprietor of a cab shelter, a ticket collector, Abel Norman, George Potter, a policeman, and a watchman. Mr. Leslie Ward capitally undertook an unattached gentleman, Private Tarbuck, Lord Charles Bellingham, John Mackintosh, George Blythe, and a Cornet of Horse. He was at home in all his parts. His voice showed to advantage in his duet with Miss Ellaline Thorne, “Wild Thyme.” Miss Essie Brett played vivaciously the parts allotted to her, viz., an Impoper [sic] Lady, a clerk, Flatcake, and Katherine. Miss Hilda Simpson played with zest and sang saucily “I Don’t Know” and also in a duet with Mr. Jack Leopold “Any Little Thing” and in “The Old Bran Pie,” in which she was ably assisted by Mr. Bert Monks. Miss Kitty Yorke sang prettily “Will o’ the Wisp,” in which the chorus rendered much assistance. Mr. Jack Leopold was well cast as a Low Fellow, Corporal Bain, a constable, Eustace Bacway, Maurice Rawdon, and an Ensign of the line. Miss Marie Brian depicted amusingly the Major’s Lady, Emma Bung, Lady Bacway, Mrs. Figgis, and Mrs. Peel; and Mr. Bert Monks was well suited for his parts. Other rôles were commendably impersonated by Messrs. Phil Golding, Edwin Adeler, Arthur Laurie, Misses Ellaline Thorne and Isobel Brognan’ (The Stage, 4 December 1919).

‘Diverting “Nurse Benson,” presented by Taylor Platt’s company, by arrangement with Marie Lohr, is the attraction here [the Wimbledon Theatre] this week, and is proving much to the taste of Mr. Mulholland’s patrons. Miss Maud Linden in the character of Lady Gillian Dunsmole [sic – Dunsmore] was charmingly vivacious and delightful. Miss Mary Griffiths was very amusing as Mrs. Tibbenham, the would-be lady; Miss Lilian Stanley as Mrs. Ray Morrison [sic – Marrison] had little to do, but did it well; Miss Mary Polson as the real Nurse Benson caused much laughter; and Miss Norah J. Hood was a pretty maid. Mr. George P. Polson deserve hearty praise for his rendering of Lord Messiger; and Mr. Philip Fuller was excellent as the good hearted nouveau riche Joseph Tibbenham; Mr. John Raymond as Captain Tibbenham, V.C., looked handsome and interesting, and played his lover’s part satisfactorily, as did also Mr. Eric Fane as his friend, Brooke Starway [sic – Stanway]; Mr. James Hornby was Ray Morrison [sic – Marrison]; Mr. William Bairdt(?) Smeeton, the butler; Mr. Alex Clifton, Moxon, the secretary; and Mr. Cecil Storey, the footman, Johns’. The Era, 17 March 1920.

Arthur Hardy (producer), Alfred Gray (actor), Queenie Finnis (actress), Charles Poulton (actor), Garrett Hollick (actor), Reginald J. Turner (actor), C. Haviland Burke (actor), Tommie Butler (actress), Marion Beresford (actress), Ernest Owttrim (actor)