Royalty Theatre, Chester

‘Britain’s stirring battle cry, “Remember Belgium,” forms the title of new play presented by Mr. and Mrs. Percy Brown twice nightly during the week at the Royalty Theatre. The action deals with some thrilling incidents of the present War, rebounding to the honour of the British soldier, and its healthy, patriotic appeal commands a hearty response, the performance on Monday evening being witnessed by a warmly appreciative audience. An absorbing romance is woven round the character of George Grant, a young man who has been taunted as a coward, because he resigned his Army commission on the outbreak of war. Enlisting as a ranker, he goes to the front, where he soon gains promotion for his gallantry, and meets his fiancée and her mother, who are helping to nurse the wounded. Through the plotting of an enemy spy he is unjustly accused of treachery, but expiates the supposed offence by undertaking a task of extreme danger, offered to him as an alternative of execution, and he succeeds in capturing a German flag. Grant, however, is still tracked remorselessly by the enemy secret service with the object of acquiring for German use an estate on the east coast of England, in which he is interested. In a further ordeal his life is saved by the courage of his sweetheart, and the spy is eventually brought to justice. The story embraces eight scenes, the mounting of which is very effective'. Cheshire Observer, 19 June 1915.

Perfromed by Will Glaze's Company.

The Stage, 9 December 1915, listed The Little Grey Home in the West (South Co.) as On Tour from 6 December at the Royalty, Chester.

At the Royalty Theatre next week Mr. E. Taylor Platt’s Company will present “The Man who stayed at Home,” by Lechmere Worrall and J. E. Harold Terry. The two great characters in the play are “The man who stayed at home” and the head of the German spies, who is in the transport department of the Admiralty. The Englishman has the very best of reasons for staying at home, having scented a dark intrigue in the interests of the “Fatherland,” in which half the household are involved. It is now in its second year at the Royalty Theatre, London, and still drawing crowded houses’ (Chester Chronicle, 26 February 1916). The Era, 1 March 1916, listed cast members.

Performers: Matthew H Glenville and Co.

'The production is on a lavish scale, the scenery and dresses being magnificent, and these together with the delightful singing and beautiful dancing, make the production exceedingly popular ... . Lady Mayfair (Miss Renee Bagot) has a charming voice, and meets with a healthy reception. The singing of the four Wards Comedy Glee Singers leaves nothing to be desired, while as the dancer Miss Thelma Rollason earns rounds of applause. Special mention also must made of Mayor Bing (Mr S. J. Chapman), Mrs. Bing (Miss Marie Chester), Capt. Slasher (Mr. Cedric Percival), and Capt. Basil (Mr. George Rover). Others taking part are : Aurora Summertime, Miss Nita May; Zoo-Keeper, Mr. Charles Percy; Lord Rip, Mr. Edward Glee; Lord Nip, Mr. Tom Glee; Manageress, Miss Aline Ellis; Dresser, Miss Gladys Gregory; The Girl, Miss Doris Gorman; The Flapper, Miss Mildred Seymour; Town Crier, Mr. Lew Marks; Parson, Mr Bernard McGlynn; Village Idiot, Mr Edward O’Flynn; The M.P., Mr. Vivian Gregory; Duke of Dullwater, Mr. Wm Ogle; First Waiter, Mr. Louis Frank; Wine Steward, Mr. Bert Lynn; Press Agent, Mr. Harold Waite; Doris Keane, Mr. Renee Bagot; Mr. Manhattan, Mr W. Ogle’. Cheshire Observer, 24 February 1917.

Performed twice nightly and presented, for the first time by Miss Florence Smithson and as 'The Eight Jutland Boys' Other acts on the bill included Katy Keith, Larry Lewis, Harry Taylor (Canadian Scot), Violet Stockelle, Andy Carr, a bioscope, andAlexander Prince. The Jutland boys 'got a tremendous reception from the large audience. As their entertainment does not pretend to be (on the admission of one of their number who acts as spokesman) a professional one, criticism is completely disarmed, and we are content to speak in appreciate terms of their efforts. They are indeed a jolly crew singing with a heartiness that is quite infectious. The well known 'One grass hopper jumped right over the other grass hopper's back', was the hit of the evening, the audience joining in lustily. One of the boys acts as the comedian Needless to say, his buffoonery is of the rough and tumble order, but is most acceptable to those in front. Mention must be made of the gentleman who plays with considerable artistic insight 'Somewhere a voice is calling' on a one stringed fiddle. His is easily the best item, also a Naval Pensioner 80 years of age, who sings with unmistakeable sincerity, and who by reason of his venerable appearance lends a distinct picturesqueness to the scene' (Cheshire Observer, 14 July 1917)

The Cheshire Observer, 29 September 1917, advertised at the Royalty Theatre, Chester, 'Gilbert Heron & Co. (late Royal Marine Artillery), including Miss Jessie Danvers, in London's Latest Success - Saved by Wireless.

The Stage, 8 and 15 November 1917, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home (Red Co.) as On Tour from 12 November at the Royalty, Chester. ‘The attraction at the Royalty Theatre next week is the fine spy play, “The Man Who Stayed at Home” ... Before 1914 people smiled with scepticism at stories of espionage, and the wiles of adventuresses entrapping by their physical charms young officers possessing State documents. Now the novelist’s inventions are not altogether fiction. Amid all its ingenuities and dramatic surprises the play still contrives throughout to be a comedy. and in that respect is quite entertaining’ (Cheshire Observer, 10 November 1917). Reviewed in the Cheshire Observer, 17 November 1917, but the text is largely illegible in the copy in the British Newspaper Archive.

‘A wealth of comedy, good vocal items and pretty dances combine to make “How You Like It?” a revue at the Royalty Theatre, an entertainment of appealing grace and pleasing humour. The production, presented by Mrs. Kimberley and Mr. Frank Liston, has four animated scenes. From the opening of the recruiting office of the W.A.A.C.’s [the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps], the sketch goes with a fine swing, and the artists are clever in their well-chosen parts. Miss Ruby Kimberley and Miss Adeline Raby contribute some excellent melodies, among which are: “I may be gone for a long, long time,” “Smoke clouds,” and “Things will be different.” Miss Lill Cliford sings “The Swiss Boy,” Miss Ruby Bradford “The Bells St. Mary” and “Hello, Boys,” and Little Florrie renders with daintiness “Little Dutch Heaven.” Speciality dances are given by the five Weetmans and Miss Ruby Mildred. Mr. Tom H. Solly is a clever comedian who pleases his hearers with song and patter, and a feature of the entertainment is found the quartettes of topical interest. Mr. George Millard and Mr. Fred Bentley have much share in the fun and success of the gay comedy’. Cheshire Observer, 13 July 1918.

Performers: Dot Stephens Co

Performers: Dot Stephens Co

Advertised in the Cheshire Observer, 17 May 1919.

The Stage, 3 July 1919: does not list 'Coming Home' as being on tour; but lists instead ‘Edmonds, E. Vivian 30, R., Chester; July 7, O.H., Burton-on-Trent’.

‘An important engagement has been arranged for the Royalty Theatre next week, when the entire London production of “Bubbly!” will be staged. In London it ran for 400 nights, and this success has been followed by others in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin, with the same company as that which will appear in Chester next week’. Cheshire Observer, 27 September 1919.