Scenes from Jack Straw (A Farce in Three Acts), written by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), and produced at Vaudeville Theatre, London, on 26th March 1908.

   Scenes from Jack Straw (A Farce in Three Acts), written by the British playwright W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), and produced at Vaudeville Theatre, (Strand) London, on 26th March 1908.

   This play is one of Maugham's most successful comedies. This comedic work revolves around themes of social class, deception, and the folly of pretentiousness, focusing particularly on the character Jack Straw, a clever and resourceful man who assumes the identity of a royal figure. 

   Jack Straw, a play by W. Somerset Maugham, first performed on 26 March 1908 at the Vaudeville Theatre, later revived in 1923, and more recently saw the light of day again at the Elmwood Theatre as a production of the Linden House Theatre Company, was written in 1905, after Lady Frederick was repeatedly turned down by managers and out of frustration Maugham changed his strategy of writing a part to attract a leading lady to a leading man instead.

 Jack Straw (1908), one of Maugham's most successful comedies: Charles Hawtrey seated and Lottie Venne centre

Jack Straw (1908) - Act I  W. Somerset Maugham

Jack Straw (1908) - Act III  W. Somerset Maugham

   In the United States, Jack Straw : "The New Comedy" by W. Somerset Maugham, produced by Charles Frohman at the Empire Theatre (NYC - 1908) starring John Drew, Mary Boland, Edgar L. Davenport, Jefferson Crane, etc.

Some scenes from Paid in Full written by Eugene Walter (1874 – 1941), and performed at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in 1908.

Some scenes from Paid in Full written by the American playwright Eugene Walter (1874-1941), and performed at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in 1908.

Paid In Full is a novel written by Eugene Walter that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. The story revolves around the life of a young man named Johnny who is struggling to find his place in the world. After a series of unfortunate events, Johnny finds himself in debt to a powerful drug lord who demands payment in full. 

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, September 19th, 1908, "Paid in Full," the American Drama, by Eugene Walter, at the Aldwych Theatre.

The Passing of the Third Floor Back written by erome K. Jerome (1859 – 1927), and performed at the St. James's Theatre, in August 1908.

   The Passing of the Third Floor Back written by the English writer Jerome K. Jerome (1859 – 1927), and performed at  the St. James's Theatre, London, in August 1908.
   The play was first seen at the Harrogate Opera House on 13 August 1908, and after some revision it opened at the St James's Theatre, London on 1 September, with the cast unchanged.

The Passing of the Third Floor Back by Jerome k. Jerome, with Johnston Forbes-Robinson (1853 – 1937) and Gertrude Elliott (1874-1950). London. Cover of Play Pictorial, 1908.

The Passing of the Third Floor Back by Jerome K. Jerome Play souvenir of the production at St James Theatre with Forbes-Robertson and Gertrude Elliott

1908 play – theatre cast:

Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson as The Stranger; Alice Crawford as Vivian; Gertrude Elliott as Stasia; Ian Robertson as Major Tompkins; Mr.H.Marsh Allen as Christopher Penny; Haidee Wright as Miss Kite; Wilfred Foster as Mr.Harry Larcom; Kate Bishop as Mrs.De Hooley; Agnes Thomas as Mrs.Sharp; Edward Sass as John Samuels;

Further informatgion about this performance

Some scenes from The Masqueraders (a play in four acts) witten by Henry Arthur Jones (1851 -1929), and performed at the St. James's Theatre, Kings Street, London, probably in June, 1894,

Some scenes from The Masqueraders (a new and original play in four acts) witten by the  English dramatist Henry Arthur Jones (1851 -1929), who wrote over 40 plays in his time including such successful plays as ‘Mrs Dane’s Defence’ and ‘The Dancing Girl’, and performed at the St. James's Theatre, Kings Street, London, probably in June, 1894, starring Mr. George Alexander, Mr Herbert Waring, Mr H. V. Esmond, Mr A. Vane-Tempest, Miss Irene Vanbrugh, etc.

"The Sketch, June 27th, 1894," showing the Following Four Quarter Page Photographs for The Masqueraders, at the St. James's Theatre.

      a- Mr. H. V. Esmond (Eddie Remon).

      b- Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr. Elliot (Montagu Lushington).

      c- Miss Irene Vanbrugh (Charley Wishanger) and Mr. H. Waring (Sir Brice Skene).

      d- Miss Beryl Faber (Lady Clarice Reindean), Mr. Elliot, and Miss Irene Vanbrugh.

Mrs Saker (left) in The Masqueraders, 1894

Miss Granville as Helen Larondie in The Masqueraders at the St. James's Theatre. 1894

Photograph of George Alexander as David Remon in The Masqueraders, St James's Theatre

George Alexander in the Masqueraders at St James's Theatre, 1894

 

Scenes from The Builder of Bridges (a play in four acts) written by Alfred Sutro (1863 – 1933), and performed , at the St. James's Theatre, London, in 1908.

Scenes from The Builder of Bridges (a play in four acts) written by the English playwright Alfred Sutro (1863 – 1933), and performed at the St. James's Theatre, London, in 1908.

Some scenes from On The Quiet written by Augustus Thomas (1857 – 1934), and performed at The Comedy Theatre, London, in 1905.

Some scenes from On The Quiet written by the American playwright Augustus Thomas (1857 – 1934), and performed at The Comedy Theatre, London, in 1905. 

1905 Comedy Theatre, American Play On The Quiet

-Mr. William Collier's Reappearance. 1905

The Dormitory Scene from Diana of Dobson's, written by the English actress & writer Cicely Hamilton (1872 – 1952), and produced at the Kingsway Theatre in London, on Wednesday 12 February 1908.

   The Dormitory Scene from Diana of Dobson's, written by the English actress &  writer Cicely Hamilton (1872 – 1952), and produced at the Kingsway Theatre in London, on Wednesday 12 February 1908, with Lena Ashwell in the title role.

   Diana is an underpaid worker in an Edwardian department store ('Dobson's') in Clapham. Act One takes place in the workers' dingy dormitory, the shopgirls prepare for bed whilst discussing their harsh working conditions. Diana discovers that she has unexpectedly inherited £300 from a distant relative, which she decides to spend on the holiday of a lifetime.

   The play opened at the Kingsway Theatre in London, on Wednesday 12 February 1908, with Lena Ashwell in the title role. It proved to be a popular and commercial success, and ran for 143 performances at the Kingsway. In 1908 and 1909 four other companies toured Britain with the play, and productions were scheduled in the United States, Australia and South Africa.

Diana of Dobson's, by Cicely Hamilton, at the Kingsway Theatre. 1908.

(The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, February 22nd, 1908)