Great War Theatre

Address: New Cross Rd, London, UK

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
25 Jan 1915 The Enter-Prizing Burglar Unknown
22 Mar 1915 The Coward Professional
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Horace Hunter is listed in Calls for Monday 22 March at the New Cross Empire in The Stage, 18 March 1915. Advertised in The People, 21 March 1915. Probably performing 'Naturalised'.
9 May 1915 Passing Events Professional
27 Dec 1915 The Other Deparment Unknown
7 Feb 1916 Passing Events Professional
17 Apr 1916 Eyes Right!! Professional
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‘On Monday night Harold Simpson and John Tiller gave the New Cross Empire audience the privilege of being the first [sic!] to make the acquaintance of their “petite revue,” which they have christened “Eyes Right.” It was so minutely “petite” as scarcely to warrant the ambitious description of “revue.” It makes no pretence even of a plot, but quickly shows itself to be just an adaptable and pretty setting for some good songs, dainty dances, and quaint fun - the latter just occasionally depending for its effect on its suggestiveness rather than on its wit. Tom D. Newell is great fun as an old washerwoman, with a curious way describing things. When presented with what is obviously a somewhat ancient egg, she inquires whether it has been attested, and comes to the conclusion that it is “chemically unfit.” She “knows her landlord fluently.” In regard to her husband, she states herself to have been “an eye-opener to a short-sighted man.” Perhaps the funniest, and certainly one of the cleverest things in the piece is her dancing of a set of Lancers entirely on her own. It is so grotesque, and it gives Tom D. Newell an opportunity of proving himself a really graceful dancer. Eileen Desmond, as the washerwoman’s bright, breezy, bouncing daughter, imparts an air almost of grandeur to the little piece by her vigorous, powerful, and yet wholly sweet singing of “There’s a land, a dear land.” The Eight Empire Girls, who, tired of being without the men, don kilts and form themselves into the “Amazon Force,” go through some smart drilling, and afterwards, in fluffy scarlet frills, wave hands and legs with such grace and agility and airy daintiness as to suggest beautiful full-blown poppies stirred by the breeze. And it would not do to quarrel with these dancing damsels, for they are truly wonderful kickers’. The Era, 19 April 1916.
6 Nov 1916 The Girl of the Future Professional
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The West Kent Argus and Borough of Lewisham News, 3 November 1916, advertised at the New Cross Empire from Monday 8 November ‘Miss Camille Clifford, the Gibson Girl, supported by Harry Welchman, in a new musical act, entitled The Girl of the Future’. Also: ‘After a successful week at Finsbury Park, Miss Camille Clifford will appear at New Cross in her new sketch, “The Girl of the Future.” Harry Welchman is included in the cast’ (The People, 5 November 1916).
8 Jan 1917 An Admiralty Dispatch Unknown
15 Jan 1917 Joyland Professional
7 May 1917 Follow the Flag Professional
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On Monday, May 7, 1917 was produced here for the first time in London, a spectacular patriotic revue, ini eight scenes devised and produced by William J. Wilson, the book by Marriott Edgar, music by Herman Darewski, lyrics Marriott Edgar and Harold Robe with interpolated numbers by Harry Robe and Charles Cowlrick, entitled "Follow the Flag." "Follow the Flag" which visits London for the first time this week after a most successful month's run at Liverpool is drawing large crowds to the New Cross Empire. William J. Wilson the deviser and producer has already made attractive revue features to his creation and in the present piece he has fully availed himself of the ripe opportunities offered by the author's pleasing blend of patriotic scenes and sentiment and sense of general fun. There is an excellent French Estaminet scene for instance in which much is made, while the set showing a Station in Paris (as it might be seen) is full of attraction. Possibly however the most taking feature of the production is that concerned with a mechanical change from Somewhere in France to Somewhere in Somerset the happy device by which the drabness of the trenches is changed into English summer green at the blow of the stage manager's whistle. There is also an effective finale called The Apotheosis Empire in which a number of young ladies weave the colonial banners that are bearing into a huge Union Jack, before that happens there is much entertaining matter of an entirely different character. "Follow the Flag" in fact does not always remind one of the war although it never allows one to forget it, if the phrase may be allowed. Scenes called Over the Garden Wall, and a Lawyers Office are full of boisterous fun, and there is always the tuneful well-conceived music of Herman Darewski at hand to heighten the enjoyment of the audience. The scenery, by H. Kelly and Bruce Smith is bright and attractive, and the costumes are delightful and never out of the picture. "Follow the Flag" in short is obviously out for West End presentation, and should not be long before it reaches charmed circle around Charing Cross, that is needed is a little elaboration its present form and compass that should be easy to accomplish, the material is there. The chorus is capital. Walter Passmore the well-known Savoyard, is vastly amusing throughout as a soldier named Jerry Noggins, a washer-lady named Mrs. Noggins, as a pseudo-lawyer, and certainly most of the humour of the piece falls to his lot. He has well-chosen associates Wilson James, and W. Page, the first named gentleman particularly distinguishing himself as an aristocratic vato, a gendarme, a garrulous woman, and a padre; whilst Sydney Moorhouse, who sings the excellent "From Somewhere in France" to "Somewhere in Somerset" number is greatly appreciated as a young officer. Rosie Reys, Maudie Francis, and Gladys Nelson, among the ladies act and sing to cordial satisfaction; and Leo Ray is clever in juvenile parts. The rest of the cast includes Steve Frayne, Harry Stevenson, Josephine Dent, Gladys Gordon, "Brownie" , Hinton Jones and others; and among the special features and songs calling for praiseworthy mention are "The Foreword," by Rosie Reys, "The Kilties'" sung by Steve Frayne, "The Red Cross Maid" (Harold Robe and Herman Darewski) and sung by Rosie Reys; "The Allies Patrol" (Harold Robe and Charles Cowlrick), by Gladys Nelson; "Eyes" (Darewski), by Matt Francis and Leo Ray; an amazing trio "Flappers Three," for walter Passmore, Wilsono James, and W. Page; "Oop to Lancasheer," by tje Sisters Graham; "If I Knew That You Knew That I Loved You" by Maudie Francis and Leo Ray; and "Follow the Flag," by Rosie Reys and Sydney Moorhouse. An Apache scene by Green and Ellis, and a signalling drill by Leo Ray and chorus are also much admired. Mr. Cass Downinig is the musical director for the production, and a word of praise is due to the stage managers, Messrs. Claude Harvey and Harold Robe. (The Stage - Thursday 10 May 1917)
7 May 1917 Follow the Flag Professional
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Mr William J. Wilson's great revue "Follow the Flag" will be seen in London for the first time on Monday next at the New Cross Empire. The motif is, as may be gleaned from the title, patriotic, but with an absence of jingoism. "Follow the Flag" has had a month's trial run at Liverpool, where it was enthusiastically received. The cast is a powerful one, including Walter Passmore, the eminent Savoyard. (Pall Mall Gazette - Saturday 05 May 1917)
18 Jun 1917 Three Cheers Professional
17 Sep 1917 The Woman of Louvain Professional
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Performers: Mary Mayfren and company Other acts of the bill: Variety acts: Talbot O'Farrell (entertainer), Olga Charna (vocalist), Nita Hayes (comedienne/dancer)
24 Sep 1917 The Lads of the Village Professional
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Performed between 24 and 29 September.
29 Oct 1917 Nosey Knows Professional
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Performed for the week with George Hestor and Dorothy Frostick. Also on the bill: Albert Whelan, the O’Hara Sisters, Bert Harrow, and Wee Georgie Harris complete the bill.
19 Nov 1917 Parker’s Appeal Professional
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Advertised in the Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette, 16 November 1917, as ‘a new Farcical Comedy’. Noted in the West Kent Argus and Borough of Lewisham News, 23 November 1917.
28 Jan 1918 Hotch Potch Professional
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Performers: Fred Kitchen, Nora Delany
25 Feb 1918 The Bull-Dog Breed Professional
29 Apr 1918 What Next? Unknown
15 Jul 1918 Flying Colours Professional
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‘The People, Sunday 14 July 1918 advertised Harry Thurston in “The Johnson ‘Ole” at the Empire, New Cross. ‘Hy. Thurston is presenting impersonations of “Old Bill” at the New Cross Theatre in “The Johnson ‘Ole.” The People, Sunday 14 July 1918.
29 Jul 1918 Rations Professional
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Robb Wilton advertised himself in The Era, 31 July 1918, as ‘Providing the Fun in Fred Karno’s Production, “Rations.” Empire, New Cross’.
19 Aug 1918 A Soldier, A Girl And A Jolly Jack Tar Professional
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Grock and Partner, a French turn comparatively new to British variety, have all laughing who have seen them, and they are due to head the list of attractions at the Empire next week. Grock is unique in his comedy at the piano. There is no one quite like Grock, who introduces some marvellous acrobatting into his act. The Partner is a violinist who acts as an excellent foil to this ultra eccentric artiste's business. The turn of Duncan and Godfrey in their coster studies is familiar to local audiences, and next week they return with their act, entitled, "A Soldier, a Girl and a Jolly Jack Tar." An excellent item will be provided by Jan Latham in piquant and catchy ditties at the piano. Frank and Vesta, two American artistes, who have had the distinction of appearing at Buckingham Palace, will present their speciality dancing act, brimful of novelty. Mamos Fawn, the convivial comedian; Fyne and Hurley; Les Nosselas in their latest Parisian novelty, introducing Mdlle. Prudence Nossela, and the latest war films complete the bill. (Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette - Friday 16 August 1918)
9 Sep 1918 Three Cheers Professional
14 Oct 1918 The Woman of Louvain Professional
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Performed by: Mary Mayfren Other acts on the bill: Variety acts: Rinaldo, May Henderson, The Gresham Singers, Burr and Hope, Kiddy Kennedy, Lee Bliss.
17 Feb 1919 Parker’s Appeal Professional
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‘There will be a carnival of comedy at the New Cross Empire next week, when the major portion of the programme will be taken up by leading variety laugh-makers. At the head of affairs will be Charlie Austin, who presents his latest sketch, “Parker’s Appeal,” brought up-to-date and continuing the screaming series of Parker’s adventures which were exploited in “Parker, P.C.” and “Parker s Wedding”’ (Kentish Independent, 14 February 1919). ‘In spite of the absence through illness of Charles Austin with his company in “Parker’s Appeal,” there is a very good bill …’ (West Kent Argus and Borough of Lewisham News, 21 February 1919).