document 67160 | Canadian Letters

Artwork

[program for the P.O.W. theatrical production “Roll on Blighty”, February 7th, 1918, Munster (Rennbahn); pages 1&2 missing]

The Caste.

Major M'Love, a military masher, . . . .         T. LESLIE
Charlie, The Twin Torments,                         J. ADAMS
Cecil,     The Twin Torments,                        J. MOSS
George Barry Tone, in love with Rosy, . .     H. BOYLING
Sherlock Blake, a defective detective, . .       J. HARRIS
Nathaniel Periwinkle, a Rennbarnacle, . .     J. DODDS
Jonathan Youessay, from New York, . . .      B. EDGAR
Count Rabio, très moutarde . . . . . .               G. M'KIE
Captain Torpedo, of the Navy, . . . . .            W. COWAN
Sir William Rake, a gilded youth, . . . .         J. M'MAHON
Hugh Upstand,    Sea-sidey Knuts.                J. BARDEN
Arthur Appelle,   Sea-sidey Knuts.                J. OSWALD
Sidney Stimpt,    Sea-sidey Knuts.                W. BARNES
Frank Fertig,        Sea-sidey Knuts.                J. MANSON
Rosy Rennbahn, in love with George, . .       F. GLITHRO
Lottie Lager, a Dancer, . . . . . . .                    J. DAVIES
Hilda Hiltrup,      Oh, Memories !                  P. BRAMWELL
Dollie Dulmen,    Oh, Memories !                  A. PEACHEY
Mabel Münster,   Oh, Memories !                  A. CLEETON
Flossie Frieden,   Oh, Memories !                  GREGORY
Aggie Aachen,    Oh, Memories !                  W. M'LEISH
                            Prompter . . . T. STONE.

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Roll on Blighty!

THE Pier Head bathed in sunlight, and on it Sea-side Johnnies singing happily. Why shouldn’t they be happy? They are in Blighty, and there are girls with them! Summer girls—coquettish girls—in fact the sort of girls one always hopes to meet on the Pier when the sun shines, and the skies are blue. The girls join their dulcet voices to those of the men, and then smiling, wander off with their fortunate partners.

The Major enters with his graceless nephews and Rosy their sister One's heart bleeds for the Major. The antics of the twin torments have goaded him to the limits of endurance. Bribery seems of little avail, but Rosy has hopes that when her ship comes in she may be able to take them shopping, and in the song of that name, sings, with the chorus, of all she hopes to do. George Barry Tone then enters, overhears Rosy's expressed desire for a flirtation and is more than anxious to oblige.

Together they sing "The Same Old Song," and stroll off happily. The twins burst on to the scene, dragging with them an Ancient Mariner, whose slumbers on the sands they have rudely disturbed.

After a conversation redolent of the sea breezes, the Old Salt inquires of the twins who they may be.

They impart the desired information by singing "The Twin Duet" at the conclusion of which the attention of the three is attracted by the strange antics of a quaint biped in the background. This, it appears, is the famous Detective Sherlock Blake, and he gives the trio an example of high- class investigation which leaves them spellbound.

The Antique Mollusk then sings a sea-faring song and Uncle returns with the girls and their escorts, the first act concluding with " The Church Parade," in which the full chorus joins.

Act II. The Tea Gardens.

Rosy and her girl friends have arranged a Tea Shop, the profits from which are to go to a most deserving cause

The boys and girls sing "Tea! Tea!! Tea!!!" and Rosy reads to them a letter from a prisoner of war at Münster. George arrives on the scene and sings "The Garden of England." Rosy and George have a chat over the tea table and the girls then sing " The Tea Shop," various notables making their entrances during the song

Uncle has escaped from the twins for a moment, but his peace of mind is speedily shattered by their entrance. They have adopted Mr. Whiskers, as they insist on calling the worthy Periwinkle, and with shouts of childish glee prepare to gorge themselves at Uncle's expense. They will waste nothing, they assure him, and advocate the merits of economy in a duet entitled, "Waste Not, Want Not."

The Old Salt explains to Rosy just why he prefers tea to cocoa, and the twins behave so rudely to Count Rabio, that the polished Frenchman flies from them in disgust. Captain Torpedo grows reminiscent over the Island of Ceylon, and to oblige him, Rosy sings, "The Cinnamon Tree" The spell cast over the party is rudely broken by the dramatic entrance of the detective who has every hope of effecting an arrest His alert methods are highly appreciated by Jonathan Youessay who, with the full chorus, brings the second act to a close with the stirring refrain:– "Floating with my Boating Girl."

Act III.

opens on the Pier head at night, and the men and girls who are discovered, advocate the medicinal value of laughter in their opening chorus, " Laugh and the World Laughs with You."

The Uncle cross-examines the twins as to their movements during the afternoon, and is most dissatisfied with the result of his investigation. They have been misbehaving of course, and to add to his annoyance he learns that Rosy has been wandering, unchaperoned, with George All leave to find the missing couple, upon which George strolls on to keep his appointment with the very girl for whom the others are searching.

He sings "Coo" to such good effect that Rosy appears – late – but loveable, and they wander off to a secluded spot of George's choosing. Count Rabio appears and gazes enviously after them deploring the fact that he is without a twin soul.

He sings "When the Right Girl Comes Along," and his vocal effects are awarded by the appearance of a girl who does not seem entirely indifferent to his charms.

Indeed, his suit seems to be making good headway, but the annoying entrance, first of the Aged Tar, and then of the ubiquitous twins interrupt him just as the longed for kiss seems his. Captain Torpedo's entrance dashes the Count's last hopes to the ground, and the coy maiden gives her opinion of mens' homage in the song, "Flattering."

Sir William Rake, who has been celebrating his coming of age, enters and sings, "You know" to the companions with whom he has been pursuing the butterfly pleasure.

Lottie dances a pas de seul, and the revellers stroll off. Sherlock Blake steals on, and attempts to collect his scattered faculties.

The twins, he complains, have upset his plans time and again. Even as he soliloquises the Torments appear, instantly recognize him, in spite of a brand new moustache with which he has disguised himself, and scamper off to tell their Uncle. In despair, the Detective hurriedly adopts his last most famous disguise, that of an old lady, and sings, "Down on the Farm."

The Naval Officer enters, followed by all, and explains that he will shortly be leaving them He sings, "Yo-ho little girls Yo-ho," and distributes a shower of farewell gifts to his good friends

The finale, in which ail join, brings to a conclusion Act III.

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MUSICAL PROGRAMME.

Act I. Pier Scene – Morning.