Gaiety, Methil

‘This week Mr G. Charlton [sic] Wallace’s company present an up-to-the-moment play, The Enemy in Our Midst. As the title implies, the plot revolves on imaginary incidents in the present war, and is conspicuously satirical on the alien situation in this country. The whole trouble is caused by the scheming of a naturalised German, and his paramour, who is of German birth, but claims to be British through marriage. The two ingratiate themselves into the good graces of a Government official, and endeavour to gain plans and information for headquarters in Berlin. Their scheming leads up to many thrilling situations, and is a convincing lesson to the public of the danger which exists in allowing naturalised Germans to remain at large. The play, as a whole, is full of action, and the various parts were in good hands. The somewhat difficult and exacting role of Klaus, the naturalised German, was played by Mr Roy Fortescue in a striking manner. In the final scene, the audience were shown an imaginary air raid, in which a Zeppelin was brought to earth by a bomb front a biplane. The scenic effect was very clever and realistic. The setting of the play is very pretty’. Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 15 February 1917.

‘Mr Oswald Cray’s company will appear in “The Unmarried Mother,” next week. This play has caused a great sensation wherever shown, and a strong fact is that only adults are admitted to see it, and even then not under sixteen years of age' (Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, Thursday 20 December 1917). Also the Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, Thursday 27 December 1917, advertised at the Gaiety Theatre, Methil, that night and during the week, 'Extra Special Attraction! For Adults Only. No person under the age of 16 admitted to see this Play. Mr Oswald Cray presents his Latest Drama on the Burning Question of the Day, entitled, The Unmarried Mother by C Vernon Proctor'.

The Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 14 March 1918, advertised at the Gaiety Theatre on Monday-Wednesday, 18-20 March 1918 ‘The Great Problem Play Dealing with the Burning Question of the Day – Neither Wife Nor Maid by Ada G. Abbott. In a Prologue and Three Acts. The Play of the Moment. For Adults Only. No person under the age of 16 admitted to see this Play’. On Thursday and Saturday Ada Abbott’s The Sins Of The Rich would be played; and on Friday East Lynne. ‘A play of rather an unusual character, “Neither Wife Nor Maid,” was the attraction here during the first three nights of the week. Mr Ernest Abbott’s company was responsible for the production, and this striking version of the great problem of the times. by Miss Ada G. Abbot, received a splendid rendering. The principal honours were shared by Mr Ernest and Miss Ada Abbott. In the role of “Curly Saunders,” Mr Abbott was a powerful and striking personality, while Miss Abbots as “Meg Huxter” brought the tears to many eyes in her pathetic interpretation of the poor little mother. A popular favourite was Miss Nellie Crowther as “Tommy,” and she endeared herself to all hearts by her winning and lovable acting. Mr Edward Fryer as “Lord Kingdon” and Miss Vera Raynor as his wife were very successful in their parts, while the comedy element was ably sustained by Mr Edwin Keene and Miss Marion Holly. The supporting. members of the cast were all good in their different roles, and the drama was received with appreciation by a large audience’ (Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 21 March 1918).

Mentioned in an advertisement in The Stage, 17 October 1918 which contains a quote from the Methil Mail (no date given): ‘Home From the Trenches. – While Mrs. Grundy presided over our public life, nobody dared touch on life’s scandals and perils; but we have got beyond that – life as it is stands exposed in the Press and the theatre. The Gaiety Theatre this week submits the frankest and most fearless exposure of the perils besetting innocent girls and young married women yet brought to the East of Fife. The war, with its break of years in the home life of so many, has made this play opportune and adapted to every part of the globe. It introduces the soldier and his home: the scoundrel who would seek to ruin the happiness of the man risking his life for his country: and gives also sketches of many other characters in our daily life. The plot is clever and ably presented’.

The Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 17 October 1918, advertised ‘Next Week – Harry Leaton & Scot Watson Present The Great New Super Spy Play, An Episode of “The Royal Flying Corps”, Regimental Motto – “Through Difficulties to the Stars.” Carry On, Or The Secret Aeroplane. By G. Gordon Jefferson. The greatest War Play yet written, exposing the read danger of The Hidden Hand in our Midst. The Great Fight in the Air, Actually realised – not a Film. Note – The action of the Play takes place on the East Coast of Scotland’.

The Stage, 28 November and 5 December 918, listed The Unmarried Mother as On Tour from 2 December at the G., Methil. However, the Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, Thursday 5 December 1918, advertised that night and during the week the ‘Latest Problem Drama on the burning question of the day’ The Plaything Of An Hour (for adults only) by C. Vernon Proctor, author of The Unmarried Mother. Perhaps The Unmarried Mother was played on Monday-Wednesday, 2-4 December.

The Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 18 December 1919, advertised at the Gaiety Theatre, Methil, on Monday-Wednesday and Saturday next week ‘Wilson Benge presents – The Girl Who Changed Her Mind. By Clifford Rean, Author of “His Last Leave.” Action of Play, 1914. Wilson Benge as “Dennis Royston.” Sadie Smith as “Ruth Vallender”’. On Thursday and Friday the company would perform Clifford Rean’s Safe Home Again. Also: ‘Mr Wilson Benge, with a very capable company, provides the entertainment at the Gaiety this week. On Monday evening, a very good reception was accorded to “The Girl who changed her mind.” Mr Wilson Benge and Miss Sadie Smith shoulder the two principal part, while the secondary characters are well looked after. On Thursday and Friday, “Safe Home Again” will be substituted’ (Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 25 December 1919).

The Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, 17 November 1921, advertised for the following week Ernest R. Abbott’s company in The Passions on Monday-Wednesday, Neither Wife Nor Maid (‘A Great Problem Play’) on Thursday and Saturday, and Woman And Her Master on Friday.

The Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, Thursday 21 December 1922, advertised at the Gaiety Theatre, Methil, for the following week [beginning 25 December] ‘Emily Florence’s Popular Dramatic Repertory Company [in a] Special Programme of New and Popular Plays and Old Favourites’, including The Black Sheep of his Family on Saturday. Also mentioned in the Leven Advertiser & Wemyss Gazette, Thursday 28 December 1922. See under the performance at the Empire Picture and Variety Theatre, Montrose, 7 July 1923, for uncertainty about the authorship of the play performed by this company.