New Cross Broadway, London

Also on bill: The Attack Performers: Cecile Barclay, Rupert Lister

Opened to a splendid house at Broadway, New Cross. Magnificent Reception.

The Stage, 3 and 10 June 1915, listed Searchlights as On Tour from 7 June at the Broadway, New Cross. ‘Messrs. Alick Chumley and A. Russell Davis’s company are this week giving a very interesting presentation of H. A. Vachell’s recently-produced play, Searchlights, which is making its first bow to suburban audiences at the handsome Deptford house, so ably managed by Mr. H. Buckstone Clair. Mr. Alick Chumley is seen in Mr. H. B. Irving’s character of Robert Blaine, and gives an excellent reading of this exacting part, without unduly copying the original. Mr. Chumley is accorded a good reception for his excellent work, while his partner, Mr. A. Russell Davis, makes a bluff and capital food-loving German of Sir Adalbert Schmaltz, who afterwards becomes plain Howard. Mr. Paul Hansell gives an artistic study of Henry Blaine. Miss Rosemary Rees as Mr. Blaine gives a finished performance, and makes the most of the opportunities given to her. Miss Mary Griffiths acts very ably as Lady Schmaltz. The part of Phoebe is sympathetically and gracefully played by Miss Edith Pither. Other characters are cleverly handled by Messrs. Alfred McMahon, A. Marks, T. Russell, Miss Kathleen Russell, and Miss Deborah Norton. The play is well produced, each scene being put on with attention to detail’ (The Stage, 10 June 1915). The Stage, 17 June 1915, referred back to ‘a good week with Messrs. Alick Chumley and A. Russell Davis’s company in Searchlights’ at the Broadway, S.E.

The Stage, 5 August 1915, listed The Man Who Stayed at Home (Vedrenne and Eadie) as On Tour from 9 August at the Broadway, New Cross.