Empire Theatre, Holborn

(The Stage - Thursday 30 July 1914)

‘Leo Stormont has taken advantage of the present situation for presenting a stirring patriotic sketch entitled “The Man Who Wouldn’t.” His power as an actor made a great impression on a crowded house’ (Daily Herald, 8 May 1915).

There are lengthy reviews, with accounts of the plot, in The Era, 20 October 1915, and The Stage, 21 October 1915.

'This musical wheeze from "Wipers" "A Day in a Dug-out" is a very entertaining and amusing interlude. The four Tommies have very good voices and merry wits. They use the former to excellent advantage in some well-written numbers and catches which are introduced quite naturally into the well-arranged little trench scene.' (The Era, 13 September 1916) Others in the same bill were: Ernie Mayne, May Moore Duprez, Sam Mayo, Coleman & Alexandra, Fulgora, Joan Hay, Signor Arvi, Tom E. Wood, Nellie Wigley, Dick & Jim.

The Era, 6 June 1917 carried advertisements for shows at the Kilburn Empire and the Holborn Empire in the week commencing 11 June, both including Harry Thurston in Capt. Bruce Bairnsfather’s ‘The Johnson ‘Ole’.

The Era, Wednesday 17 October 1917, lists ‘The Johnson ‘Ole’ as On the Road at the Empire, Holborn from 22 October.

Performed by: Mary Mayfren and company Other acts on bill: Variety acts: Kate Carney (singer), Max Darewski (pianist), Dainty Doris (song and dance), Clovelly Girls (jugglers), Kuba Quartet (song and dance) Reviews: "Mary Mayfren and company in their dramatic sketch"

The Stage, 6 December 1917, advertised the ‘enormous success’ of Parker’s Appeal at the Hackney and Holborn Empires.

Advertised in The Era, 9 January 1918.

Advertised in The Era, 20 February 1918.

Performed by: Mary Mayfren Other acts on the bill: Ernie Lotinga & Co in "Wanted, A Wife", Percy Honri, Anna Dorothy, Maggie Benson, Lilian Byrne, Barleycorn Players, Holson and Bert

Advertised in the Era, 30 October 1918, for the following week, as ‘Ernest Montefiore & Co. in “A German Shell”’. Also: ‘After a lengthy round of the provinces and the outlying halls, the successful sketch A German Shell is being presented [at the Holborn Empire] by Ernest Montefiore and company, and audiences are following the action, which touches upon the Sinn Fein movement, with close attention. It is cleverly performed, and should serve its owners in good stead for some time to come’ (The Stage, 7 November 1918).

Advertised in The Era, 27 November 1918.

‘No further praise is necessary for Charles Austin’s amusing sketch, “Parker’s Appeal.” The popular comedian is seen at his best, and loud laughter prevails for a piece which abounds in opportunities for his distinctly funny demeanour’. The Stage, 15 May 1919