Pavilion Theatre, Penzance

The Stage, 25 September 1919, listed both The K.C. and Jerome K. Jerome's Cook as On Tour from 25 September at the Pav., Penzance (3). However, the company may have performed only Cook and not the K.C.: see The Cornishman, 22 October 1919, reviewing The K.C. at this theatre on 20-23 October 1919.

The Cornishman, 22 October 1919, advertised at the Pavilion on Monday 20 October for four nights Rex Gerard in The K.C. The cast was: Sir Benjamin Oddington, K.C., Rex Gerard; Arthur Dawson, Graham Cameron; David Hyslop, Cyril Fairlie; Beagle, Geo. R. Harrison; Inspector Hitchen, Frank Moody; Lilian Alvin, Frances Cameron; Dorothea Oddington, Helena Pickard. Also: ‘Only on rare occasions are Penzance audiences privileged to watch such an amazingly clever performance as is being enacted at the Pavilion during the first four nights this week, by Mr. Rex Gerard and company, but the ungrudging plaudits showered upon them at the opening performance on Monday, can leave not a vestige of doubt that the management have accurately gauged the requirements of their patrons. Mr. Rex Gerard and his masterly company are no strangers to the town, but will be happily remembered by those who were fortunate enough to see produced at the Pavilion just recently, Jerome’s irresistible creation “Cook.” The piece presented on Monday was eminently adapted to the company’s abilities, and each member entered into the spirit of the play with a zest and confidence that lent an unusual air of realism to the whole performance, whilst assuring the players an audience at once sympathetic and keenly attentive. The play is an exceptionally powerful one, and one that cannot fail to exert a peculiar fascination ... It would be futile, in so brief a notice, to attempt to convey an adequate and just impression of such a wonderfully clever production, but in anticipation of the inevitable heavy demand for seats the soundest advice we can offer intending patrons, to avoid disappointment, is to book early’ (The Cornishman, 22 October 1919).

Performed on 21 and 22 September 1920.

PErformed Thursday-Saturday at 8pm.

‘The St. Ives Dramatic Society, whose fame has spread well beyond the bounds of their native town, were at the Pavilion, Penzance, on Tuesday evening before an appreciative audience. The play they produced on this occasion was “The Title,” a very clever comedy from the versatile pen of Arnold Bennett. Glancing down the list of past performances, it is noticed that this is the first time the Society has produced one of Bennett’s plays, which must prove extremely difficult for amateurs. In this three-act comedy a great deal of clever acting must be employed before the wit and humour of the play becomes apparent, and, needless to say, the St. Ives company rose to the occasion. Outstanding amongst the cast was E. S. Darmardy, whose remarkable acting was greatly enjoyed by the audience. In his role of the father refusing “the title,” he frequently drew applause. Dorothy Meade and John Cocking as the children, were also good in the portrayal of their respective roles. The cast on the whole was a good one, and Fred Bottomley had a small part which he did well. Others who sustained their roles well were: Therese Jackson, J. M. Findlay, Janet Lodge and Janie Hollow. The stage managers were Miss Freda Paynter and Col. J. Findlay, D.S.O. The orchestra, under the direction Mr. Walter Barnes, played during the acts’. Cornishman, Thursday 5 December 1929.