New Theatre, Crewe

Performed twice nightly during the week.

‘The revue at the Crewe New Theatre, “All’s Well,” is a really good entertainment. Full of fun and excellent singing and dancing, it makes a very strong appeal. Mr. Leonard Barry stands out prominently. As a comedian he has few equals. His songs are much appreciated. Mr. Hal Whitby is also very successful. Mr. Tom E. Ray is an accomplished artist, and makes himself very popular. Miss Dolly McCulla and Miss Hetty Marston play to perfection, while Mdlle. Rossini’s talented troupe of dancers give the greatest satisfaction. The chorus is one of outstanding merit, and completes a first-class entertainment’. Nantwich Guardian, 4 April 1916.

Fred Little's company

‘“The Black Sheep of the Family” … is the title of the drama which is being played at the Crewe New Theatre. The play is well staged, and the various characters are sustained by well-known artists’. The actors named are Arthur Hinton, J. Knox Orde, Chauncy Morris, Roland Wallis [sic], Ethel Monton, Beatrice Annersley, Gladys Hastings Walton, Mrs Henry Gascoigne and Nina Mallam. Nantwich Guardian, 19 September 1916. Also the same newspaper 22 September 1916.

Will Glaze's Company

‘For Motherland ... attracted good houses at the New Theatre on Monday night. Mr. Charles Locke is to be complimented on introducing a play which is full of thrilling incidents' (Nantwich Guardian, 27 March 1917). Also noted in The Stage, 29 March 1917. : ‘Crewe – New … For Motherland is presented, with Charles Locke in the role of Lieut. Aubrey Fitzroy. Sir John Merton, R.N., is well played by C. Elton Morgan, and in the arduous role of Lady Viola Merton Flo Norman achieves success. Madge Holt makes a vivacious Peggy Allison, and the lovers, Cynthia Merton and Lieut. Allen Rivers, are in the capable hands of Clare O’Sullivan and William Vane respectively. Leslie Lingham gives a powerful portrayal of Wilhelm von Roon, and is ably supported by Frank Hertie as Heinrich Baumstein. Much amusement is caused by by Frank Preston as P.C. Bolton’.

'This drama is based upon historical facts, and some fine scenes are produced.' Matinee on Saturday. ('Nantwich Guardian, 14 August 1917, p. 2)

‘“Special Edition” which is being presented by Messrs. Major and Magini at the New Theatre during the week, has an acceptable military flavour. The songs are for the most part reminders of “Tommy” and “ack,” and the singers are the wives, mothers, daughters and relatives of soldiers and sailors. One of the most entertaining items is that provided by Tom Major’s soldiers’ wives, who are a tremendous success in the song, “I Didn’t Want My Boy To Be a Soldier.” Miss Kitty Major is a delightful vocalist. There is an excellent chorus. The monologue “The Follow With a Conscience Which Objects” is one of the best features of the programme. Mr. Nelson Blakey is a rattling good comedian' (Nantwich Guardian, 21 December 1917).

The Stage, 22 and 29 August 1918, listed His Last Leave as On Tour from 26 August at the New, Crewe.

‘Crewe New Theatre. The popular revue “How Do You Like It” was witnessed on Monday evening by two good houses. Miss Ruby Kimberley delighted the audience with her songs, “I May be Gone for Long, Time,” “Smoke Clouds,” and a duet by Miss Kimberley and Mr. Eric Wingfield entitled “I Mean to Get You,” found great favour. Other contributions by Miss Lill Clifford, Miss Ruby Bradford, Little Florrie and Mr. Tom H. Solly, were warmly applauded. A topical quartet “When Tommy Comes Marching Home,” and “John Bull’s Budget,” were two of the tit-bits of the programme. Distinctly clever in their way were the speciality dances by the Five Weetmans and Miss Ruby Mildred. There will be a matinee on Saturday’. Nantwich Guardian, 13 September 1918.

The Crewe Chronicle, 9 November 1918, advertised the Taylor Platt company in The Man Who Stayed at Home at the New Theatre, Crewe, on Monday 11 November and during the week. Previewed in the Nantwich Guardian, 8 November 1918, and the Crewe Chronicle, 9 November 1918.

Advertisement for the New Theatre, Crewe: ‘Monday, November 18th, 1918, and during the week … Mr. Will H. Glaze presents the Great Moral Play, entitled “Home From The Trenches”, By Arthur Jefferson. Every Woman should see this Play’. Nantwich Guardian, 15 November 1918.

The Stage, 27 November 1919, listed For Sweethearts and Wives as On Tour from 1 December at the New, Crewe. Also The Era, 26 November 1919. ‘Last Friday night [i.e. on 5 December] [at the New, Crewe] Arthur Rosebery presented Hettie Gale and company in “The Silent Watch” … On Saturday [i.e. on 6 December] the same company played “For Sweethearts and Wives”’ (The Stage, 11 December 1919).

Performed Tuesday and Wednesday by the Raynor Repertory company.

Presented for the first part of the week by Miss Lawson who also appeared in the production.