Grand, West Hartlepool

The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, Tuesday 29 February 1916, advertised at the Grand Theatre ‘Miss Emma Litchfield’s Company, in a New Play of Home and Heart interest, entitled: Home Once More, by Emma Litchfield’. Also, ‘Emma Litchfield is here [the Grand, West Hartlepool] with her company, presenting Home Once More. Miss Litchfield scores in the rôle of Mary Lorraine. Ena Newham makes the most of Stella Richmond. S. P. Goodyer-Kettley as Capt. Forrester is distinctly good. Conrad E. Stratford is successful as Lieut. Lorraine, as is Lionel Balmont as Lieut. Nielson. Tom H. Solly and A. B. Lyons introduce good humour’ (The Stage, 2 March 1916).

The Era, 15 March 1916, listed The Unmarried Mother (North) as On The Road from 13 March at the Grand, West Hartlepool. Similarly The Stage, 9 and 16 March 1916.

(The Stage - Thursday 3 March 1916)

‘A domestic drama, entitled “Always Welcome,” is being presented at the Grand Theatre this week. The story is one of many thrills, of exciting situations, of much self-sacrifice, and abiding love. A bright and happy girl leaves her humble home under the care of a man, who proves a worthless rake. After a period of misery she returns to the place, where there is always a welcome. The plot is well conceived, and interest never fails. Mr. Conrad Stratford as Philip Webster, the rake, is exceedingly good, and the same may be said of Miss Emma Litchfield in the part of Emma Summers.. Miss Lillie Livesey makes a capable Rosie Summers, and comedy parts are nicely balanced, Mr. Tom Solly being very smart as Ned Forde’ (Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 28 August 1917; also reported in The Stage, 30 August 1917).

‘A stirring story of love and war, entitled “Home from the Trenches”, was presented by Mr. Will H. Glaze’s company at the Grand Theatre last night to large and appreciative audiences. The drama is full of human pathos, and is acted by a very capable company. Mr. Wilfrid Launceston, as Corporal Dennison, and Miss Ada Oakley, his wife, interpret their parts in an admirable fashion, and Mr. Edgar T. Hayes, as Neville Hardman, and Mr. Chas. E Johnson, as his uncle, are also very clever. The rest the cast is in capable hands. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 18 June 1918.

The evidence for this week is that The Stage, 15 and 22 August 1918, listed The Queen and the Knave as On Tour from 19 August at the Grand, W. Hartlepool.

Advertised in the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 7 September 1918.

The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail of Monday 3 February 1919 carried an advertisement for the Grand Theatre: ‘Lew Lake presents Dorothy Mullord and a powerful company in a new play: Married on Leave”’; twice nightly with no mention of matinées. The Stage of Thursday 6 February 1919 reported that at the Grand Theatre, West Hartlepool ‘Mr. Lew Lake’s company are appearing in Married on Leave. The characters are entrusted to capable artists. David J. Erlstone, as Capt. Philip Marlow, acts particularly well, and Dorothy Mullord makes the most of the role of Mary Graham. Other artists appearing in the cast with success are Herbert Pearson, Arthur Clayton, Mortimer Wall, E. J. Lester, W. J. Mackay, Daisy Willis, Daisy Maynard, and Gillian Drake. Scenic effects, especially the aircraft scenes, are realistic’.

‘“For Sweethearts and Wives,” a naval drama of great interest, is being presented at the Grand Theatre this week, and last night’s audiences found in it a play brimful of action, with a romantic love interest. The story deals largely with the stealing of the plans of a young inventor by an enemy spy, and in their dramatic recovery the audience are given plenty of thrills. Intermingled is also a good deal of humour - thanks chiefly to Miss Polly Marsh, who makes a good Dame Manley. In the whole of the clever scenes there is not a dull moment, whilst the principal characters are well cast and have the support of a good all-round company’. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 24 August 1920.

‘A varied list of attractions is announced for the Grand Theatre next week, when the Arthur Hinton Repertoire Company will occupy the stage. On Monday, Tuesday and Saturday a play entitled “A Broken Doll” will be presented; on Wednesday and Thursday “The Black Sheep of the Family” and on Friday Night “Sorrows of Satan.” Mr. Hinton will be supported by a strong cast’. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, Saturday 28 August 1920. Also the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 31 August 1920, and The Era, 1 September 1920.

The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 12 December 1921, advertised at the Grand Theatre Emma Litchfield’s company, including Conrad E. Stratford, in a programme of plays including Always Welcome on Friday and Saturday. The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 13 December 1921, reviewed Emma Litchfield’s company in Her Chinese Husband at the Grand Theatre: ‘“Remembrance” and “Always Welcome” are the other plays which the company will present’.

The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 30 June 1924, advertised at the Grand Theatre, West Hartlepool, ‘The enormously successful Stock Co. present The Black Sheep of the Family, by Gladys Hastings Walton’. Also, ‘The Millane Stock Company return to drama this week, when they are presenting Gladys Hastings Walton’s popular play “The Black Sheep of the Family.” In it there is plenty of thrilling incident to claim the complete attention of the audience, and those to whom drama and intrigue appeal are well catered for. Unexpected turns in the plot keep interest fully sustained to the end, and, with the scenes laid both in England and America, there is plenty of movement in the play. The various characters are undertaken with that skill now expected from these artists, who, indeed, appear to gaining in popularity week by week. Miss Churchill, Miss Kitty Dillon, Mr. Millane, Mr. Bert Bannister, Mr. Edward Louis, and Mr. Edward Brooke are mainly responsible for the success of the play’ (Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 1 July 1924).