Great War Theatre

Performances at this Theatre

Date Script Type
25 Dec 1914 The Man in the Moon Professional
Read Narrative
The Pontypridd Observer, Saturday 19 December 1914, advertised at the New Theatre: ‘Xmas Night, [Friday] Dec 25th & two following weeks … Will Parkin and Chas Kasrac present an entirely new and original Pantomime The Man in the Moon’. Reviewed in the Pontypridd Observer, 26 December 1914. The text is imperfect on the British Newspaper Archive but what is clear in the account of the plot mentions Trevor overcoming a demon and rescuing Luna from a swamp. The review continues, ‘They then decide to go to her father “The Man in the Moon” who mourns his daughter’s loss and on seeing his daughter with her sweetheart who has rescued her, he gives Trevor all his wealth and so ends the story. The caste is very strong, many Pontypridd favourites being included and we can look forward to a most funny and clean pantomime. Frank Williams is principal comedian, while round him is Fred Harris, who needs no introduction, Peter Pan a new comer, Walters & Duncan, the two Le Roys, hold the principal honour of Pine Bay and Girl [sic]. Miss Masso dancing fairy, Miss Nell Russel second girl, Miss Cissie Hopkins plays second boy. There are specialities by various performers and Trixies Trivials the cast. There will be a company of 40 strong. The music is by “Sparrow Harris” who will conduct the production. The special staircase seen in the last act is by G. W. Hooper. We close by wishing the “Man in the Moon” a successful career’. The incomplete description of the plot clearly resembles that in the January 1916 Examiner of Plays’ summary.
28 Jun 1915 As A Man Sows Professional
Read Narrative
This Show is away from all others. Not a Melodrama, but a Problem Play of intense interest. Beautifully mounted and dressed; every detail carried out. Excellent printing. (The Stage - Thursday 01 July 1915)
10 Jan 1916 The Man in the Moon Professional
Read Narrative
Will Parkin advertised ‘The Man in the Moon’ in The Stage, 13 January 1916: ‘The greatest Pantomime ever produced in Wales. Repeat last year’s success ... This week, New Theatre Pontypridd. The home of its birth. Lovely reception. The People’s verdict:- “Better all-round pantomime than last year. Every artist a pantomime performer.” Result. Success, success, success. “Love rules the world, the poet cries.” But not in this case, thank you'.
21 Feb 1916 The Little Grey Home In The West Professional
Read Narrative
The Era, 16 and 23 February 1916, listed The Little Grey Home In The West (South) as On The Road from 21 February at the New, Pontypridd.
29 May 1916 The Enemy In Our Midst Professional
Read Narrative
Advertised in the Pontypridd Observer, 27 May 1916, as 'G. Carlton Wallace’s World Famous Production … British Guns and Biplane v. German Zeppelin’. Also: ‘The Enemy in our Midst, a dramatic production by the famous G. Carlton Wallace’s Company, is a feature at the New Theatre this week, which is timely and instructive. It should not on any account be missed. Also pictures which deserve attention are those showing the great zeppelin raid and a set-to between British guns and biplane and a German zeppelin’. Pontypridd Observer, 3 June 1916.
12 Mar 1917 Honour the Man You Wed Unknown
Read Narrative
See Nicoll, A. (1973). English Drama 1900-1930. Cambridge: University Press. p. 630.
17 Sep 1917 Within Our Gates [For Motherland] Professional
Read Narrative
When Charles Locke advertised in The Stage, 20 September 1917, for theatres in South Wales or London District for October 1, 8 and 15 for ‘the real success’ For Motherland, his address that week was the New Theatre, Pontypridd.
1 Jul 1918 Back From Overseas Professional
Read Narrative
Venue and date mentioned in an advertisement in The Stage, 27 June 1918. It is The Broken Trail that is listed as on tour at the New, Pontypridd from 1 July in the Stage, 4 July 1918.
10 Mar 1919 Back to the Wife and Home [Home from the Trenches] Professional
Read Narrative
Mentioned as Home From The Trenches in an advertisement in The Stage, 6 March 1919 and in the 'on tour' listings in The Stage, 6 and 13 March 1919; and as Back To Wife and Home in advertisements in The Stage, 13 and 20 March 1919 and in The Era, 12 March 1919.