Friday, 5 November 2010

Some scenes from Lady Huntworth's Experiment (a three-act comedy) written by R. C. Carton (1853 – 1928), and first presented at the Criterion Theatre, London, by Charles Wyndham, from 26 April to 13 October 1900, running for 163 performances.

Some scenes from Lady Huntworth's Experiment (a three-act comedy) written by the English actor and playwright R. C. Carton (1853 – 1928), and first presented at the Criterion Theatre, London, by the actor-manager Charles Wyndham, from 26 April to 13 October 1900, running  for 163 performances.

This play depicts an aristocrat working under an assumed name as a cook, and finding happiness with a retired military man. 



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, June 16th, 1900, "Lady Huntworth's Experiment" at the Criterion Theatre."
   a- Act 1.- An Accident. 
Lucy Pillenger (Miss Gertrude Elliott).  The Rev. Mr. Pillenger (Mr. Lewis).
   b- Act II.- The Vicar's Room, Miss Compton.
Keziah (Miss Polly Emery), having dressed herself in her bestm inquires of Caroline Rayward (Miss Compton) whether her dress doesn't "seem to kick up a bit at the back ?"
   c- Act II.
Captain Dorvaston (Mr. Arthur Boutchier) learns to his astonishment, that his drunken acquaintance, Mr. Croyll (Mr. Dion Boucicault is the husband of the Vicar's cook (Miss Compton).
   d- Act III.- "A Spider !" 
Mr. Eric Lewis., Miss Fanny Coleman., Mr. Dion Boucicault.,  Mr. Arthur Bourchier.

Act I. Scene Plot.

Scene—Back of Vicarage with Garden.

Plan of Breakfast Table.—Act I.

FACING DOWN STAGE.


Act II. Scene Plot.

Scene—Vicar's Kitchen.

Act II.

Position of Articles discovered and where placed when brought on, which must be very exact

Act III. Scene Plot.

Scene—Vicar's Study.




Original cast
Captain Dorvaston (late Bengal Cavalry) – Arthur Bourchier
Rev Audley Pillenger – Eric Lewis
Rev Henry Thoresby (his curate) – A. E. Matthews
Gandy (manservant at vicarage) – Ernest Hendrie
Newspaper boy – Reginald Denny
Mr Crayll – Dion Boucicault Jr.
Hannah Pillenger (Audley's sister) – Fanny Coleman
Lucy Pillenger (their niece) – Gertrude Elliott
Keziah (housemaid at vicarage) – Pollie Emery
Caroline Rayward (cook at vicarage) – Katherine Compton








Sunday, 3 October 2010

Three scenes from The Prophecy, written by Richard Ganthony (1856–1924), and performed at the Avenue Theatre, London, in 1903.

   Three scenes from The Prophecy,  written by the English playwright Richard Ganthony (1856–1924), and performed at the Avenue Theatre, London, in 1903.

   Richard Ganthony was an actor and playwright. He is best known as the author of the drama A Message from Mars, which premiered in 1899.



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, March 28th, 1903, "The Prophecy" at the Avenue Theatre."
1- The peasant, David, who has been fascinated and ridiculed by Winelfin, the aristocratic beauty, for her own amusement, breaks out into revolt at her capricious cruelty, and the guests at the castle, regarding the forester as a dangerous savage, approach to attack him.
Mr. Aubrey Mallalieu, as Vlademar.
Miss Constance Collier, as Winelfin.
Mr. Frank Mills, as David.
2- Winelfin befooling her peasant guest, David, with the result shown in our first illustration on page.
Winelfin : "I will put a cap on your head that will teach you more in a minute than i can tell in a year."
3- The twins Daniel and David, discovering that Winelfin has protested her love for each of them, quarrel for the first time in their lives.  Winelfin, whose affection, although genuine enough, is equally divided between the pair, declares, to avoid bloodshed, that she has never loved one or the other, but only made sport of them for her entertainment.          
Daniel  (Mr. Lyn Harding) : "This is a trick to stay our hands."
Winelfin : "It is the truth, to stay your hands."



Tuesday, 4 May 2010

Some scenes from Brown at Brighton (a farce) written by R. Fenton McKay and Walter Stephens, and performed at the Avenue Theatre, London, from 20 December 1902 to 1903.

   Some scenes from Brown at Brighton (a farce) written by R. Fenton McKay and Walter Stephens, and performed at the Avenue Theatre, London, from 20 December 1902 to 1903.

   A farce about a young man going to Brighton to study for his exams, then getting involved with stolen jewels, amorous women, an elopement, etc.

   First performed as Why Brown Went to Brighton The Princess of Wales's Theatre, Kennington, on 5 May 1902 and as Brown at Brighton in the Avenue Theatre, London, on 20 December, 1902.



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, January 10th, 1903, "Brown at Brighton" at the Avenue Theatre.
1- Miss Ethel Clinton, as Maisie Fairfax.
2- Miss Lettice Fairfax, as Cora.
3- Miss Mabel Garden, as Miss Violet Stapleton.
4- Mr. Dallas Welford as Bertie Brown. (Two Photos)
     a- "I've just come down to study for my exam."
     b- "Oh, why did I come to Brighton?"


Scenes from Brown at Brighton at the Avenue Theatre, 1903






Thursday, 4 February 2010

Some scenes from Officer 666 (A Melodramatic Farce), written by Augustin Machugh (1877-1928), and produced at the Globe Theatre, London, in 1912.

Some scenes from Officer 666 (A Melodramatic Farce), written by the American playwright Augustin Machugh (1877-1928), and produced at the Globe Theatre, London, in 1912.

Officer 666 : "A Melodramatic Farce" by Augustin MacHugh. Various productions (1912 - 14) starring George Nash, Edward Abeles, Percy Ames, Elsie Glynn, Francis McGinn, Wallace Eddinger, Vivian Martin, Alvah D. Simms, Reginald Denny, Ralph Murphy, Albert Roscoe, Ralph Newman, Carson Davenport, Helen Greene, John Arthur, Joseph Allen, etc. Originally produced in 1912 by Cohan and Harris

New York Times : OFFICER 666" IN LONDON.; Is Well Received -- Critics ...
LONDON, Oct. 30.—Augustin McHugh's successful American farce “Officer 666” was presented at the Globe Theatre to-night by Charles Frohman, with Wallace Eddinger as Gladwin and John



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, November 9th, 1912, "Officer 666," by Augustin Machugh, at the Globe Theatre.
    a- Gladwin, the owner of a New York mansion (Mr. Wallace Eddinger), while disguised as a policeman, witnesses a lovers' interview between the picture thief, Alfred Wilson (Mr. John Miltern) and Helen Burton (Miss Viva Birkett).  Wilson is in Gladwin's own house at the time, is posing as its master, and is about to steal its masterpieces of painting and elope with Helen.
    b- Whitney Barnes (Mr. Sam Sothern) gets handcuffed through a police error, and finds it rather difficult to get at his cigarette case.
    c- Officer 666 (Mr. Dan'l Moyles) arrests Gladwin for the supposed theft of his own pictures, as the word of Wilson, the thief, as to who is actually Gladwin is believed rather than that of Gladwin himself.
    d- Mrs. Burton (Miss Helen Ferrers) recognises Officer 666 (Mr. Dan'l Moyles) as the man whom she saw in his shirtsleeves, and whom she imagines is the thief the police are inquiring for.
    e- Travers Gladwin (Mr. Wallace Eddinger), disguised as Officer 666, discovers Wilson, the picture thief (Mr. John Miltern), at work on his art treasures in his own house. The "Officer" conceals his identity, and affects to assist the "expert."
    f- Wilson, the aesthetic picture thief, has now been exposed, and the police are after him.  He is seen dragging officer 666, with the aid of his servant, and soon after, helped by the very man whom he has personated, the sympathetic Gladwin, he escapes, leaving both the paintings and Helen behind him.



Saturday, 5 September 2009

Some sceines from The Great Mrs. Alloway (A play in four acts), written by Douglas Murray, and performed at the Globe Theatre, London, in 1909.

Some sceines  from The Great Mrs. Alloway (A play in four acts), written by Douglas Murray, and performed at the Globe Theatre, London, in 1909.



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, November 27th 1909, "The Great Mrs. Alloway," by Douglas Murray, at the Globe Theatre."
a- The watchful and friendly Ayak (Miss Adeline Bourne) warns her mistress, Mrs. Hartland (Miss Lena Ashwell), that she is in danger of becoming identified with " The Great Mrs. Alloway," of odious memory.
b- Her secret being revealed, Mrs. Hartland proceeds to burn her letters, &c., before taking to flight.
c- Ethel Prynne (Miss Nina Sevening) on the night before her wedding with "The Great Mrs. Alloway's" son, is informed by her future mother-in-law of that lady's lurid past. Ethel however remains faithful to her engagement.
d- Sir Charles Hewitt-Gore (Mr. Fred Kerr), with the latters which prove Mrs. Hartland and Mrs. Alloway to be the same person, and a remarkably obnoxious one at that.



Friday, 31 July 2009

Some scenes from Rupert of Hentzau written by Anthony Hope (1863-1933), and performed at the St. James's Theatre, London, in 1900.

   Some scenes from Rupert of Hentzau written by the British playwright Anthony Hope (1863-1933), and performed at the St. James's Theatre, London, in 1900.

   Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, better known as Anthony Hope, was a British novelist and playwright. He was a prolific writer, especially of adventure novels but he is remembered predominantly for only two books: The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau (1898).

   LONDON, Feb. 1.—St. James's Theatre, which was entirely remodeled during George Alexander's absence from London, was reopened this evening with Anthony Hope's "Rupert of Hentzau"...



The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, February 10th 1900, "Rupert of Hentzau" at the St. James's Theatre.
a- Rupert of Hentzau (Mr. H.B. Irving). and Rudolf Rassendyll (Mr. George Alexander).
b- Rosa Holf (Miss Julie Opp). Rupert of Hentzau (Mr. H.B. Irving).
c- Colonel Sapt (Mr. W.H. Vernon).
d- Lieut. Bernenstein (Mr. Sydney Brough).
    Count Rischenheim (Mr. Bassett Roe).
    Colonel Sapt (Mr. W.H. Vernon).
    Rudolf Rassendyll (Mr. George Alexander).
e- Baroness Von Diekerk (Miss Katie Sergeantson).
    Sophia Von Diekerk (Mrs. Maesmore Morris).
    Baron Von Diekerk (Mr. G.P. Hawtrey).
    Rudolf Rassendyll (Mr. George Alexander).
f- King Rudolf of Ruritania (Mr. George Alexander. 
   Boris. (Dog).






1900 LONDON St James's Rassendyll George Alexander Rupert Hentzau Irving (68)



Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Several scenes from Smith (a comedy) written by W. Somerset Maugham (1874 – 1965), and first produced from 30th September 1909 to 26th February 1910, at Comedy Theatre, London.

   Several scenes from Smith (a comedy) written by the British dramatist W. Somerset Maugham (1874 – 1965), and first produced  by Arthur Chudleigh and Charles Frohman, from 30th September 1909 to 26th February 1910, at Comedy Theatre, London.
   In New York the play was first seen on 5 September 1910 at the Empire Theatre, running until December 1910.




 Tom Freeman (Robert Loraine), Rose Dallas Baker (Kate Cutler), Algy Peppercorn (AE Matthews), Smith (Marie Lohr)









Robert Loraine, Lydia Bilbrooke, Edyth Latimer, A E Matthews, Kate Cutler, Frederick Volpe


Principal members of the original cast in 1909 at the Comedy Theatre:
Thomas Freeman – Robert Loraine
Algernon Peppercorn – A. E. Matthews
Mrs Dallas-Baker (Rose) – Kate Cutler
Emily Chapman – Edyth Latimer
Mrs Otto Rosenberg (Cynthia) – Lydia Bilbrook
Smith – Marie Lohr
Fletcher – Percy Goodyer
H. D. Baker KC – Frederick Volpe