Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil

The Merthyr Express, 13 February 1915, published a preview that was a shortened version of what had appeared in the South Wales Gazette, 15 January 1915, omitting details of the scenery, settings, effects and stage management (see under the Metropole, Abertillery). Also, ‘This week at the Temperance Hall, “The Man in the Moon,” the most successful pantomime ever produced at Merthyr, is playing to crowded and delighted audiences nightly. Do not miss the opportunity of seeing this grand production at the Hall’ (Merthyr Express, 22 February 1915).

A return visit for Fred Wilson and his Company to the Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil. "The Stage", 16 September 1915.

The Stage Thursday, October 14, 1915: at the Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil, ‘This week’s programme includes … Shirley and Ransome, in One o’ Kitchener’s’.6 October by Shirley and Ransome.

‘“The Man in the Moon” has been drawing record houses during pantomime week at the Temperance Hall. With unfailing estimation of the public taste, Mr. Israel Price has hit the nail square on the head in presenting the highly-varied and entertaining bill which has delighted thousands since last Monday. There still remain opportunities to see the gay, frolicsome, happy lot who are making the boards ring with their superb dancing and filling the hall with joyous captivating music. Then the special scena tableaux, “Keep the Home Fires Burning” is the talk of the town. It is a fine patriotic sketch which has few equals’ (Merthyr Express, 22 January 1916). Also noted in The Era, 19 January 1916.

‘Another revue tops next week's bill [at the Temperance Hall, Merthyr], "All's Well," in three scenes. Revues loom very largely in wartime entertainment, but there are revues and revues. "All’s Well" is one of those that IS a revue in the very best sense. The cast includes Leonard Barry, direct from his London pantomime success, and many other star principals, supported by beautiful ladies and a sextette of charming lady dancers. Jack and Jill are a comedy duo, and Cleas and Page have a very clever novelty gymnastic act’. Merthyr Express, 25 March 1916.

‘The Slacker, presented by Fred. J. Little’s company, is the attraction here [the Temperance Hall, Merthyr Tydfil]’. The Stage, 25 May 1916.

The Merthyr Express, 19 August 1916, advertised at the Temperance Hall on Monday 21 August and during the week ‘Gilbert Heron (Late Royal Marine Artillery) & Jessie Danvers Present The Wife, The Maid, The Big Man, The Little Man, The Taximan, The Shadow and the Slacker, in a Dream Play, entitled “A Billet For Two” (By arrangement with Kitts and Windrum)’. Also: ‘Gilbert Heron and Jessie Danvers have a really pretty dream play in “A Billet for Two,” in which we have a good acting and a good story’ (Merthyr Express, 26 August 1916).

The Merthyr Express, 16 September 1916, advertised at the Temperance Hall on Monday 18 September and during the week various variety acts and pictures and also ‘Cissie Langley & Co. presents – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nurse Cavell, Martyr, pronounced to be one of the Finest Sketches written, showing how Nurse Cavell bravely sacrificed her life to the call of Duty’, and on Thursday-Saturday For King and Country.

‘You will miss a rare treat if you do not go to the Temperance Hall this week. There are both gaiety and pathos, and all the principals have their share in the appreciative plaudits of the audiences. Every item is invested with life, and in one case death (that representing the last moments of Nurse Cavell), and each performance is one which reflects the greatest credit on the artistes. Each artiste possesses considerable merits, which the audiences do not fail to appreciate. The chief item - or we should say, one of the chief items - of the evening is the special engagement of Cissie Langley and Co., in “Nurse Cavell, Martyr,” the principals being: General Von Muller (murderer), Mr. Marcus Grey; Pat O’Leary (of the Dublin Fusiliers), Mr. Jos. Poulton; Father Polland [sic – Poland] (a priest), Mr. Nemo; Henri De Belfort (a victim of German Kultur), Master Jack Lauri; Nurse and Martyr, Cissie Langley. It is a thrilling picture of the heroism and death of one of England’s greatest heroines. The item is staged with careful attention to detail, and the final act is presented with all the tragic intensity of feeling which the title suggests. Mr. Grey, as General Von Muller, portrays the German “demon” murderer, with real histrionic perception. Mr. Jos. Poulton, as a private of the Dublin Fusiliers, who, after fighting with a German horde, finds himself in Nurse Cavell’s hospital, and is kindly treated, makes an ideal Oirishman, and finds great favour with the audience, for he relieves the tears which are in evidence in all parts of the house. Master Jack Lauri, the wounded French trumpeter, and a patient in Nurse Cavell’s hospital, soon won the affection of the audience, while Mr. Nemo, as the priest, was as if to the manner born. Miss Cissie Langley, as Nurse Cavell, won all hearts, and the “last act” is characterised by grace and feeling, while her last prayer was given with pathos, which, combined with sweet tones, made a deep impression. This is one of the best scenes from real life ever witnessed in Merthyr, and those who do not witness “Nurse Cavell, Martyr,” will lose the most thrilling stage scenes’. The review continued with an account of the variety acts and pictures which completed the bill. Merthyr Express, 9 December 1916.

Third time Mr Wilson and his Company had performed at the Temperance Hall in Merthyr Tydfil. "The Stage", 7 June 1917.

‘No one should miss seeing Mr. Tom Major’s special edition of the “Stop Press Revue” running at the Temperance Hall this week. The majority of the company is composed of wives and daughters of soldiers, men who have left the stage to fight for King and country, and whose dear ones have returned to the footlights in order that their husbands and fathers may take their share of hard fortune without extra cost to the State. Among the company are Miss Kitty Major, Misses Ennis Myne, Rhoda King, Violet Loftus, May Holt, Batt Starr, Peggy Sweby, Dorrie Don, Margot May, Dick Montague and Nelson Beakey, every one born actresses and actors. There are seven scenes in “The Stop Press Revue,” and from start to finish there is a delightful entertainment ... In one scene a lady contributes a war song, “Is it nothing to you?” which enraptured her hearers, and in another scene Miss Major recites some thrilling lines on “Peace,” telling of the pitiful sights to be seen in Belgium, which bring home to everyone the tragedy of war. She tells the story of fire and sword, and desolation, and introduced the tragedy of the sinking of the *Lusitania. All through the revue there is the watchword “For King and country,” the songs are apt, and band and chorus do their share meritoriously. There are beautiful dresses, and the revue goes with a swing and dash which from the first moment creates an inspiring atmosphere. Do not fail to visit the Temperance Hall to-night (Friday) or Saturday’. Merthyr Express, 26 January 1918. (* the Cunard liner R.M.S. Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on 7 May 1915.)

Advertised in the Merthyr Express, 4 January 1919: ‘J. J. Mannix and Ernest Montefiore present the Successful Sketch “A German Shell”’. Also: ‘A very clever sketch is entitled “A German Shell,” an episode of the war, in which one of the chief figures is a Sinn Fein officer, wearing the green uniform, whose brother comes home from the front in khaki. The Sinn Fein’s love is killed in France by a German shell, around which a good plot is laid, and at the finish the Sinn Feiner sees the error of his ways’ (Merthyr Express, 11 January 1919).

The Merthyr Express, Saturday 22 March 1919, advertised a variety bill at the Temperance Hall on Monday 24 March and during the week, including ‘Cora Duncan and Albert Brasque present their Latest Domestic Comedy-Dramatic Playlet, entitled “Settling Day”. An after the war problem. Written by Denton Spencer, author of “Self Defence”’. Also: ‘The Temperance Hall will re-open next week with one of the finest programmes of the season. The artistes include ... Cora Duncan and Albert Brasque, who present their latest domestic comedy-dramatic playlet entitled “Settling Day"' (Merthyr Express, Saturday 22 March 1919).