Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
14 Aug 1916 Somewhere A Voice Is Calling Professional
12 Mar 1917 The Unmarried Mother Professional
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‘After an absence of a little over twelve months, the drama entitled “The Unmarried Mother” makes its reappearance at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, and had an excellent reception from well-filled house on the opening night. The chef character is Eileen, a young woman, the betrothed wife of a soldier who has been called to the front before the marriage ceremony can be performed. A child is born out of the bonds of wedlock, and she voices the plea of all women who are looked at askance by the world because the marriage ceremony has been honoured in the omission rather than in the observance. She claims it a greater honour to be a mother than a wife, and that this will come to be recognised by an alteration of the law at no distant time. This is rather a big order, as the saying is, but it is a sentiment which seems to find some degree of support from the audience who assemble at the playhouse'. Shields Daily News, 13 March 1917.
3 Dec 1917 The Enemy In Our Midst Professional
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The Shields Daily News, Monday 3 December 1917, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, the ‘Second Week of Mr. G. Carlton Wallace’s Popular Company in his Famous Production The Enemy in our Midst’.
31 Dec 1917 His Last Leave Professional
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The Shields Daily News, 2 January 1918, advertised ‘Mr. Will H. Glaze’s Company presents the most Realistic play of the times – “His Last Leave”’. Also: ‘“His Last Leave,” the name of the play at the Theatre Royal South Shields, this week, deals largely with soldier life as it is known in these days of a great war, and the leading character, Richard Maxwell, the son of the village clergyman, is very happily portrayed by Mr H. Wright Scanddan [sic -Scaddan]. He is the manly, gallant young English soldier to the life. One scene of absorbing interest gives a glimpse of the realities of war, and rouses the sympathy for the thousands of men whose health has been shattered, and are now in our hospitals. The play is well acted, and is crowded with humour, for which Mr Joss Hart, Mr J. May, and Miss Lena Brand are mainly responsible, the first as Corporal Trimfool [sic], the second as Private Erle [sic], and third as Selina Kettle’ (Shields Daily News, 2 January 1918).
22 Apr 1918 For Those in Peril on the Sea [A Son of the Sea] Professional
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The Shields Daily News, 22 April1918, advertised at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, ‘Will H. Glaze’s Company in the new plays “A Son of the Sea”. Also: ‘The attraction at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, is a play entitled “A Son of the Sea.” The leading character is Paul Tregarson [sic], the head of the local fishing community, and a popular hero with the village people. The part of the hero is played with great effectiveness by Mr Clifford Rean, and that of the villain is well accounted for by John Worth. Miss Dorothy Kirk is a charming heroine. The comic element is provided by Mr Charles Leverton, Mr Arthur Gilroy and Miss Maudie Ryder’. Shields Daily News, 23 April 1918.
15 Jul 1918 The Girl Who Changed Her Mind Professional
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‘The play this week at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, is entitled “The Girl who Changed Her Mind.” The heroine, Ruth Vallender, is the daughter of Sir William Vallender, who has, owing to his horse-racing propensities, brought himself into pecuniary difficulties, and is, as a consequence, deeply in debt to Captain Frank Cave, the son of a wealthy moneylender. The story, it will be seen, is constructed on familiar lines, and the acting is so good that it is keenly followed by the audience, and at certain points is warmly applauded. Mr Wilson Benge plays the part of Dennis Royston, the hero, in a very effective manner, and Mr Gerrold [sic – Jerrold] Ord, as Captain Cave, acquits himself with unqualified success. The part of Ruth Vallender is charmingly represented by Miss Sadie Smith. Mr. Tom J. Taylor is very happy as Tony Blizzard the stable lad, and so is Miss Amy Coralli as the maid of the squire’s daughter’. Shields Daily News, 16 July 1918.
14 Oct 1918 Back to the Wife and Home [Home from the Trenches] Professional
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‘“Home from the Trenches”, the play this week at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, deals with a question having special reference to the social problem arising out of the war. It tells how a well-to do young rake, who has escaped from military service by the bribes of his profiteering uncle, ruins a trusting young woman whom he had promised to marry, and how he is thwarted in his guilty passion for a young married woman whose husband has been sent to the front. The play is constructed on sensational lines, and keeps the audience in an excited mood during most of the scenes'. Shields Daily News, 15 October 1918.
2 Dec 1918 Back From Overseas Professional
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Venue and date mentioned in advertisements in The Era, 18 September 1918 and The Stage, 28 November and 5 December 1918 It is The Broken Trail is listed as on tour at the R., South Shields from 2 December in the Stage, 28 November and 5 December 1918. Advertisements in the Shields Daily News, 4 and 7 December 1918 mention The Broken Trail as being performed twice nightly.
9 Dec 1918 Duty - and the Girl Professional
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‘This week at the Theatre Royal, South Shields, the piece staged is called “Duty! And the Girl!” The part of the heroine is finely played by Miss Florence Churchill. Her acting is spirited and sympathetic to a degree. The hero finds adequate representation at the hands of Mr Vincent W. Carlyle, who has actually seen service in the war just closed’. Shields Daily News, 10 December 1918.
21 Jul 1919 The Girl Who Changed Her Mind Professional
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Reviewed in the Shields Daily News, 22 July 1919. The cast included Pauline Nanton, Frank Esmond(?), [E] Howell Webb, Charles Digby, Betty Booth, Lizzie Lennon, and Chas. H. Gallier.
8 Sep 1919 14 Days Leave Professional