The Bear (1888) written by Anton Chekhov and produced by the Washington Square Players in New York City in 1915 and 1916

A scene from A Bear (first published in 1888) written by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) and produced by the Washington Square Players Club at the Bandbox Theatre,  from February 19 to May 30, 1915, and the Comedy Theatre, New York City, in 1915 and 1916. Its director was Edward goodman and its cast Samuel A. Eliot Jr.

Scenes from The Only Girl (The Musical Comedy) produced at the Apollo Theatre in the West End, London, on September 25, 1915, running for 107 performances.

   Scenes from The Only Girl (The Musical Comedy) produced at the Apollo Theatre in the West End, London,  on September 25, 1915, running for 107 performances.

   The Only Girl is a "musical farce in three acts" with music by Victor Herbert and a book and lyrics by Henry Blossom. The musical is based on the 1912 play Our Wives by Frank Mandel and Helen Kraft. It opened on Broadway at the 39th Street Theatre on November 2, 1914. During its Broadway run it transferred to the Lyric Theatre where it closed on June 5, 1915, after 240 performances. The Broadway production starred Wilda Bennett as the composer Ruth Wilson; Thurston Hall as her librettist Alan Kimbrough; Adele Rowland as the soubrette Patricia La Montrose, a.k.a. "Patsy"; Ernest Torrence as the painter Andrew McMurray, a.k.a. "Bunkie"; Vivian Wessell as Bunkie's wife; and Jed Prouty as the lawyer Fresh; Josephine Whittell as Margaret Ayer, Fresh's wife.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, October 16th, 1915, "The Only Girl," The Musical Comedy At The Apollo Theatre.

   a- Miss Mabel Russell as Patrice la Montrose, an actress, singing her song.  "You've got to have the part to make a hit," and at the same time holding up the meagre "part"  she has just received herself.

   b- Miss Fay Compton as Ruth Wilson, the heroine, appearing in the dress which so adds to her charms that the hitherto obdurate dramatic author, Alan Kimbrough, capitulates, and decides that she is "the only girl" for him.

   c- Drinking success to the three bridegrooms, who, by having suddenly discovered "only girls," are leaving their friend Kim, who will be the only bachelor of the quartette.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, October 23rd, 1915, "The Only Girl," The Musical Play at the Apollo Theatre.

   a- "Kim" receives his newly married friends and their wives after their honeymoon trips, and finds that the idols of his old chums have already revealed feet of clay.

   b- Miss Mabel Russell as Patrice la Montrose, a Soubrette, who has the distinction of being nobody's "only girl."

   c,d, and e, The three brides who effectively control their new husbands.  (Miss Mabel Tremlow, Miss Ethel Baird, and Miss Madelaine Seymour.)

   f- Patrice la Montrose, the actress (Miss Mabel Russell) kissing the musical comedy author, Alan Kimbrough (Mr. Kenneth Douglas), on receiving her new part from him.

The Ware Case, written by George Pleydell (1868-1956), and performed at the Wyndham's Theatre, London, in 1915.

   Scenes from The Ware Case," written by the British barrister & playwright George Pleydell (1868-1956), and performed at the Wyndham's Theatre, London, in 1915.

   Born on 1 November 1868 in London to the celebrated actor-manager Sir Squire Bancroft and actress Marie Bancroft, he grew up immersed in the theatrical world, forming early connections with prominent stage figures such as Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and W. S. Gilbert. As a young man he studied law and was called to the bar, eventually rising to the position of Clerk of Assize while maintaining ties to the arts through writing and occasional acting on the London stage. He died on 1 March 1956 in Taplow, Buckinghamshire. His most notable contribution to literature is the courtroom drama ''The Ware Case'', which enjoyed popularity in its adaptations, including silent films in 1917 and 1928 as well as a 1938 sound version. 

Michael Adte &c., Announces his Resolve to take up the defence of Lady Ware's Husband,  who has just been arrested for Murder (Miss Marie Lohr and Mr. Norman McKinnel.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, October 2nd, 1915. "The Ware Case," by George Pleydell, at Wyndham's Theatre. 

   a- Sir Hubert comes to announce that Lady Ware's brother, who has been bathing in the Lake, is missing.  The bankrupt Sir Hubert has himelf drowned him to get the benefit of the young man's fortune, which will descend to Lady Ware.

   b- The trial of Sir Hubert Ware for the murder of his brother-in-Law.  The prisoner, whi is in the witness box, is being questioned by the prosecuting  counsel (Mr. Sydney Valentine(. by the prosecuting counsel is Mr. Norman McKinnel,  and the judge Mr, J. Fisher-white.

   c- Sir Hubert Ware, although acquitted by the jury, confesses his crime and ends his wretched career by taking poison, thus making the way clear for the marraige of his wife and her admirer. Michael Adye, K,C. (Miss Marie Lohr, Mr Gerald du Maurier, and Mr. Norman Mckinnel).

d- Mr. Wilfred Fletcher as Lady Ware's brother, the objectionable Eustace Ede, who is the murderer's victim.

Gamblers All, written by May Martindale, and perfomed at the Wyndham's Theatre, in 1915.

   Scenes from Gamblers All, written by May Martindale, and perfomed at the Wyndham's Theatre, London, in 1915.

   This was also performed on Broaway.  New York Times :  1917/01/02  'GAMBLERS ALL' PRODUCED.; Outmoded English Melodrama at the ...  Mildly interesting throughout, but stale in matter and outmoded in manner is "Gamblers All," a recent English play which was revealed to New York yesterday afternoon by a curiously lifeless...

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, July 3rd, 1915, "Gamblers All," by May Martindale, at Wyndham's Theatre.

   a- Lady Langworthy tries to coax £300 from her husband, Sir George Langworthy (Mr. Charles V. FRance) to pay her secret Gambling debts.  He offers her merely £10, saying that he already makes her an ample allowance.  She tells Sir George that the hours she spends at the card-table are occupied and concerts

   b- Mr. Lyton Lyle as the gaming-house keeper.     c- Miss Hilda Moore as a treacherous friend.

   d- John Leighton, the moneylender, discussing an elopement  with Lady Langworthy, who owes himmore money than she can pay.

   e- The police raid on the gambling house, where the gamesters, as well as innocent Sir George Langworthy are arrested.

   f- Harold Tempest meditates suicide when, besides being himself insolvent, he has committed forgery to clear his sister, Lady Langworthy from debt.

   g- Sybil Campbell, a very advanced 'fl'pper."

   h- The moneylender offers the man who has forged his name a cigarette, and then sets fire to the forged promissory note to make a light for it.

Shell Out (the Revue) produced at the Comedy Theatre, from August 24, 1915 .

   Several scenes from Shell Out (the Revue), words by Albert de Courville & Wal Pink and music by Herman Darewski. Shell Out opened at the Comedy Theatre, London, on 24 August 1915 and ran for a very healthy 315 performances.

   Historians of war-time culture have continued to maintain a fairly disparaging stance in regard to this popular sub-speciality of topical sketches, music and chorus lines: Shell Out! (1915), Now’s the Time (1915), Bubbly (1916), Buzz Buzz (1917).

‘Shell Out’ chorus

Shell Out revue promotional postcard

Unity More (1894-1981), Actress, dancer and singer. Pictured at the time she was playing the role of Little Miss Lancashire in the successful wartime theatrical revue, Shell Out at the Comedy Theatre, 1915.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, September 11th, 1915. 

"Shell Out," the Revue at the Comedy Theatre.

   a- Miss Amy Augarde singing "Girls, Girls, Girls," when instructing her shop assisstants at the "Great White Sale."

   b- Miss Unity More in the song, 'Little Miss Lancashire."

   c- Mr. Geo. Manton, Miss Amy Augarde, and miss Hilda Bayley 9(Seen respectively as Husband, Wife, and Child), in "A Modern revue Drama."

   d- Larry Ceballos and Mona Desmond in theirAcrobatic Dance.

   e- Some of the Chorus in the River Scene when the song entitled "Canoeing" is sung.

   f- Miss Unity More in the scene, "A Stage door."

   g- Mr. Fred Emney, as the chief saleswoman, offering Mr. Tom Stuart (A Flirting Gentleman), a leg at the "Great White Sale."

   h- A Dance by the "Beauty Chorus.")

A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by the English playwright William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) and produced at the Forest Theater, in 1915.

   A scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by the English playwright William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) and produced at the Forest Theater, in 1915.

   The Forest Theater, Carmel, California, was founded by Herbert Heron in 1910, and is one of the oldest outdoor theaters on the west coast.

Little Bit of Fluff written by Walter E. Ellis (1874-1956), and performed at the Criterion Theatre, London, in 1915.

   Scenes from A Little Bit of Fluff written by the British playwright Walter E. Ellis (1874-1956), and performed at the Criterion Theatre, London, between 1915–1918, for a total of 1241 performances.

   A Little Bit of Fluff is a British farce written by Walter W. Ellis which was first staged in 1915 and went on to have a long original run. Starring Ernest Thesiger, it ran at the Criterion Theatre, London, between 1915–1918, for a total of 1241 performances.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, November 20th, 1915, "A Little Bit of Fluff," By Walter E. Ellis, at the Criterion Theatre.

   a- The Temptation of the man next door.- (Miss Ruby Miller) practises on Bertrum Tully (Mr. Ernest Thesiger).

   b- "Doing up" " A Little Bit of Fluff."- The continued Embarrassment of the next door Gentleman (Miss Ruby Miller and Mr. Ernest Thesiger).

   c- The Ladies' Battle.-"The LittleBit of Fluff"  (Miss Ruby Miller)  snatches her Pearl Necklace from the neck of Mrs. Pamela Ayers (Miss Marjorie Maxwell) while John Ayers (Mr. George Desmond), and his neighbour, Bertrum Tully (Mr. Ernest Thesiger) suddenley remember an engagement elsewhere.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, November 20, 1915

The Sketch, November 17, 1915

The play opened at the Criterion Theatre on October 27, 1915, with the following cast:

  Ernest Thesiger as Bertrand Tully

  George Desmond as John Ayers

  Marjorie Maxwell as Pamela

  Ruby Miller as Maimie

  Stanley Lathbury as Trippett

  Alfred Drayton as Dr. Bigland

  Violet Gould as Ursula

  Lilian Talbot as Aunt Hannah

  Dulcie Greatwich as Chalmers

Set scenes by Robert Edmond Jones (American scenic designer, 1887 - 1954) for The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife written by Anatole France, designed in 1915

Set scenes by Robert Edmond Jones (American scenic designer, 1887 - 1954) for La Comédie de celui qui épousa une femme muette (The Man Who Married A Dumb Wife, 1908) written by the French writer Anatole France (1844 - 1924), designed in 1915.

Erster Klasse (The First Class, first published in 1910) written by Ludwig Thoma (1867-1921) and directed Royd Heizer? at the Brandenburger Theater in 1910s

   A scene from Erster Klasse (The First Class, first published in 1910) written by the German playwright Ludwig Thoma (1867-1921) and directed Royd Heizer? at the Brandenburger Theater in 1910s.

   First class is a peasant comedy in one act by Ludwig Thoma. The play had its premiere on 12 August 1910 in the inn "Zur Überfahrt" in Egern am Tegernsee (today part of the municipality of Rottach-Egern) by Michael Dengg's Bauernbühne. According to another source, the premiere took place on September 10, 1910 in Munich.

Wild Birds written by Dan Totheroh and produced at the Neighborhood Playhouse in 1915

A scene from Wild Birds (romantic folk-play) written by the American playwright Dan Totheroh (1894 - 1976) and produced by the Neighborhood Players at the Neighborhood Playhouse, New York City, in 1915.

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1913 written by Carl Sternheim and produced at the Kammerspiele in Berlin in 1915

   Scenes from 1913 (Drama in three acts) written by the German playwright Carl Sternheim (1878 - 1942) and produced at the Kammerspiele in Berlin. In 1915 this play premiered under the direction of Max Reinhardt (1873 - 1943) at the Kammerspielen of the Deutschen Theaters, but was not released by the Berlin authorities of censorship. 

   The play was written in 1913/14 and in 1915 it had been accepted for its premiere in the Kammerspiele of the Deutsches Theater under the direction of Max Reinhardt, but was not released by the Berlin censorship authorities. The premiere did not take place until 23 January 1919 in Frankfurt am Main under the direction of Gustav Hartung and with Heinrich George as a mask. In 1924, Sternheim staged his play himself in Berlin. 

Scene with Hans-Georg Laubenthal as Easton and Ina Halley as Ottilie

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Cathleen ni Houlihan (the nationalistic and republican one-act play) written by William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) and Lady Gregory (1852 - 1932), and produced by the Abbey Theatre, in 1915.

   Scenes from Cathleen ni Houlihan (the nationalistic and republican one-act play) written by the Irish playwright William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) and Lady Gregory (1852 - 1932), and produced by the Abbey Theatre, in 1915.

Gaiety Theatre, Manchester, England, 12 - 17 April 1915
Little Theatre, London, England, 10 - 15 May 1915
Little Theatre, London, England, 2 June 1915
Coliseum, London, England, 5 - 10 July 1915

Pastel drawing of Allgood playing the title role in Cathleen ni Houlihan in a 1915 Abbey Theatre tour

Portrait of Mrs. Raveley as Kathleen N. Hourihan – Sir John Ravenley's hand-painted oil painting, traditional Irish costume leaning on a harp

David Copperfield, adapted by Louis N. Parker (1852-1944), and performed at His Majesty's Theatre, London, in 1915.

Scenes from David Copperfield, adapted by the English dramatist Louis N. Parker (1852-1944), and performed at His Majesty's Theatre, London, in 1915.

New York Times :  1915/01/31  DAVID COPPERFIELD AT HIS MAJESTY'S - The New York Times  "With all its shortcomings, some of them possibly inevitable, David Copperfield' is very interesting, and at the reduced prices now in vogue should fill His Majesty's for some months to...

1914 David Copperfield His Majesty's Theatre Louis Parker Adaptation

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, January 2nd, 1915, "David Copperfield", at His Majesty's Theatre.

   1- Sir Herbert Tree as Dan'l Peggotty (when in search of little Em'ly).

   2- Mr. Derring Wells as Tommy Traddles.  3- Mr. Nigel Playfair as Mr. Dick.

   4- Sir Herbert Tree as Wilkins Micawber.

   5- Miss Jessie Winter as little Em'ly.  &   Mr. Frederick Ross as Ham.

   6- Miss Evelyn Millard as Agnes Wickfield.

   7- Mr. Charles Quartermaine as Uriah Heep. & Mr. Owen Nares as David Copperfield.

   8- Miss Sydney Fairbrother as Mrs. Micawber, engaged upon singing one of those famous songs for which she obtained such a reputation in the genteel days when she lived with Pappa and Mamma.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by W. Shakespeare and produced at the Winter Garden Theatre, London, with Beatrice Farrer acting as Puck around 1920

Two scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by the English playwright William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) and produced at the Winter Garden Theatre (built in 1911), London, with Beatrice Farrer acting as Puck, in 1915.