Victoria Theatre, Burnley

‘At the Victoria Theatre next week, Mr. Oswald Gray will present a gripping drama, “The unmarried mother,” from the pen of C. Vernon Proctor, who replies to one of the burning moral questions of the day. The play has met with success everywhere produced, and has elicited favourable comment from all sections of the public, and also the clergy' (Burnley News, 4 March 1916). ‘A problem drama of unusual interest will be given at the Victoria Theatre next week in “The Unmarried Mother.” The drama will presented Mr. Oswald Grey [sic – Cray], and will be played by a very strong company, with Miss Beatrice Malvern in the role of heroine. Wherever this has been presented it has elicited the unstinted praise of the public and clergy, and should much people to arrive at a proper attitude towards the problem’ (Burnley Express, 4 March 1916). ‘A play which at once appeals strongly to the emotions and deals with the problem very often discussed in the press and pulpit, is “The Unmarried Mother,” which is presented by Mr. Oswald Cray. It is in three acts with seven scenes, and is admirably staged in every way. The play is really a doubling of the burning question of the status of the unmarried mother, and the working out of the plot is splendidly done not only illustrate that the sins of the parents are visited upon the children, but to enlist sympathy with those who have been unfortunate ... altogether the play is one effectively portraying real human nature in many phases’ (Burnley Express, 8 March 1916). ‘The drama of “The unmarried mother,” needs no more eloquent apology for its enactment in the light of modern facts, than the war, and though the moral problem which has been very vividly visualised, presents certain aspects which may shock conventionality, it must be admitted that the world's view on this burning question is changing with the changing times. The play, the title of which we have above quoted, has a distinctive mission - a mission which cannot but commend itself to the broadminded individual, for it expresses with telling force, the dictates of humanitarianism which demand woman's right to motherhood, and justice to an unnamed generation! Such a work as one saw dramatised at the Victoria Theatre on Monday night would scarcely have been tolerated in former times, but now, through such means are the public being educated to judge from an altered perspective some of the things for which the war is responsible. The play “An unmarried mother” was very favourably criticised by the audience on its first presentation to a Burnley audience. From the rise of the curtain to the closing scene, it gripped one’s interest, and appealed strongly to sentiment. The plot is a masterful one, and a tribute to the author, who has excelled with his wonderful delineation of the characters in this powerful story. As produced by Mr. Oswald Gray’s [sic – Cray’s] company, the play was thoroughly absorbing, and one soon realised the splendid talent of the artistes, all of whom were convincing in their respective parts, and often the crisp passages of dialogue left the audience with much to enthuse over. Indeed their hearty appreciation was frequently expressed in loud and spontaneous outbursts of applause, the strong patriotic note in the story being especially popular' (Burnley News, 8 March 1916).

The Burnley News, 7 February 1917, lifted much of its review from the one published in the Burnley Express, 8 March 1916 (q.v.). The play is capitally produced, and will appeal strongly to the sentiments of all ... Altogether the play is one effectively portraying real human nature in many phases’ (Burnley Express, 7 February 1917).

Performed Monday-Wednesday with "The Unexpected Wife" the rest of the week. Stanley Ravenscroft was reported as joining his regiment (Stage 29 March 1917) and the cast for this theatre only lists: Valerie Russell, Emilie Entwhistle, Tom Lyle, Edward Vivian, Miss L. Lenora and Mr H. Steward.

Performed by Walter Howard's company direct from the Lyceum Theatre, London. Cast including: Harry Lonsdale, Lilian Christine, Ernest Leicester, Hilda Anthony, Norman A. Overton, Sydney Benson and Godfrey Ward.

‘A strong play by the author of “Quinneys,” H. A. Vachell, will be staged by the Julian and Ward Players at the Victoria Theatre next week. This is “Searchlights,” and, although the play deals with the war, the action of the piece takes place in Scotland and England, and shows rather the effect of the catastrophe upon the people in the story and throws searchlights upon their inmost souls ... “Searchlights” illustrates how, amid the tragedies of 1914, the Blaine family is saved from their own domestic tragedies - the father and son who do not understand each other and are opposed to each other - the husband and wife who are drifting apart' (Burnley Express, 12 July 1930). ‘One of the strongest and best plays dealing with the war will be submitted to Victoria patrons week in H. A. Vachell’s “Searchlights,” which was originally produced at the Savoy Theatre, London. The searchlights of the play are those which penetrate the dark places of the human heart. The piece demonstrates how the war changed and softened the character of Robert Blaine, the hard, far-seeing capitalist, alienated from his wife and his son. The action of the play takes place at home. It is not a “war play” in the sense of there being any element of a martial nature introduced ... “Searchlights” will be found to be a play of great human interest, reflecting a period that is historic’ (Burnley News, 12 July 1930). ‘Essentially a play of human interest and one dealing with the War period, “Searchlights,” the Vachell play presented by the Julian and Ward players at the Victoria Theatre this week, is a domestic drama with powerful incidents' (Burnley Express, 16 July 1930).