Great War Theatre

Address: Belfast, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
28 Sep 1914 Gentlemen, the King! Professional
21 Dec 1914 The Novelty Minstrels Professional
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The holiday bill here is headed by Conrad's Novelty Minstrels who, in songs, duets and dances, cause a regular furore. The Six Crazy Sailors in their acrobatic act, cause hearty laughter. Bertram Banks is one of the best child mimics that have appeared at this house. An old Belfast favourite Will H. Fox the smart comedy pianist is also making his first appearance at this house, and does as well as ever. Bert Terrell in his butch songs and dances is also very acceptable. (The Stage - Thursday 24 December 1914)
26 Jul 1915 Passing Events Professional
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Company includes R.H.Douglass and Talented Company of Sixty. Monday July 26 and during the week Harry Day presents by arrangement with Moss Empire Ltd. Twice nightly 6.00 & 9.00 Passing Events by R.H.Douglass a Novel, Modern Burlesque and Original Review. Full London Company of Artistes. Produced in its entirety by Edward Lauri. (Belfast Telegraph - Saturday 24 July 1915)
27 Dec 1915 The Frenchwoman Professional
19 Jun 1916 For Those In Peril Professional
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Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.
31 Jul 1916 For Those In Peril Professional
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Performed by Miss Beaumont Collins.
11 Sep 1916 Joyland Professional
16 Oct 1916 A Soldier, A Girl And A Jolly Jack Tar Professional
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M D. Mr. Fred Willmot; R.M. Mr. Henry T. Downs. Gilday and Fox, Hebrew comedians, present here their latest success, "Ikey Levy's Birthday." John Terry and Mabel Lambert, prime favourites here, are paying a return visit in their witty and humorous act: Madge Velma and her "Ruffles," a quartette of lady vocalists, afford much pleasure with their concerted items; Minnie Duncan and Arthur Godfrey the popular coster comedians, have been accorded a capital reception; and also billed are Mary True, who plays grand opera on an English concertina; Frank Cass, comedian; and Billy Simpson, in character studies and monologues. (The Era - Wednesday 18 October 1916)
25 Dec 1916 A Day In A Dug-Out Professional
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Performing in the same bill: Billy Gould, Rollo, Wullie Durkin, Wheeler & Wilson, The Coombs Trio, Mikado Family, Will Lacey.
22 Jan 1917 Samples Professional
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Reviewed in the Belfast News-Letter and the Northern Whig, both 23 January 1917.
5 Feb 1917 The Frenchwoman Professional
21 Jan 1918 A Wife's Dilemma Professional
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‘A strong programme at the Hippodrome last night attracted large audiences to both performances. The star turn, “A Wife’s Dilemma,” by Dion Titheradge, was presented by George Bellamy & Co. in a manner that left little to be desired. Miss Constance Drever, as “the wife,” had a particularly difficult role to fill, but she never once wavered, and her nerve carried her through successfully’ (Northern Whig, 22 January 1918). ‘Every “turn” in the Hippodrome bill is excellent this week … Constance Drever displays her exceptional histrionic powers to great advantage in the cleverly constructed comedy-dram [sic] sketch Dion Ziteradge [sic], “A Wife’s Dilemma.” Both as actress and songstress Miss Dever [sic] gives of her best, and her reception was very cordial. She is strongly supported by Mr. George Bellamy, who maintains his high reputation by his vigorous and artistic representation of the escaped convict and ex-lover; by Mr. Alfred Keitley, as the husband; and Mr. Alfred Williams, who in the part of the chief warder contributes colour and strength to the performance’ (Larne Times, 26 January 1918).
25 Mar 1918 Nosey Knows Professional
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Performed for the week by Will Hay (actor), Dorothy Frostick (actress), Mara Collins (actress), Nat Lewis (actor). ‘Patrons of the Hippodrome have had the pleasure frequently of witnessing Fred Karno’s farcical productions, but it is a question if any of them have created greater amusement than that which occupies the stage this week under the title of Nosey Knows. Both houses received it with open arms ...'. (Northern Whig, 26 March 1918)
2 Sep 1918 Rations Professional
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Advertised in the Larne Times, 31 August 1918, as ‘Fred Karno presents “Robb Wilton in Rations,” a Revuette by Bert Lee and R. P. Weston, including a Queue of Quaint Quipsters, and Winnie Collins’, with supporting variety turns. Also, ‘Rationing is a condition of war-time affairs which mainly applies to people having the privilege of living in England, Scotland, and Wales, and by these the subject is one that is treated with befitting gravity. There is, however, a humorous side to the most serious of the conditions in which humanity may find itself placed, and this is cleverly brought out and exploited in the revuette “Rations” being presented by Fred Karno’s Company at the Hippodrome this week. The piece is amusingly written; the music is bright and racy, and the essential ingredients of revue in the way of song, dance settings, and costumes are all put up in the most approved Karno style, the leading parts being capably presented by Winnie Collins, Cissie Buckland, Beatrice Lambert, Donald MacKay, Jack Mann, Fred Simpson, and Bernard Sidney’ (Larne Times, 7 September 1918).
11 Nov 1918 Nosey Knows Professional
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Performed for the week by Will Hay (actor), Enid Langwell (actress), Ethel Arden (actress), Will Hindson (actor). ‘There were very large audiences at both performances in the Hippodrome last evening. The fun was led by Fred Karno’s latest production, Nosey Knows, which is free from all elements of staleness, and provides excellent entertainment in three scenes. It is a farcical musical sketch, having the repute of being one of the best of its kind, and including in the powerful cast the popular comedian Will Hay, with well-known mirth-movers like Enid Langwell, Dorothy Marus, and Will Hindson. The music was well given by a chorus that made the most of their opportunities, and the whole piece moved trippingly along, and was much appreciated’. (Northern Whig, 12 November 1918)