Article No 7 (1911)

In the Guardian (Crewe & Nantwich) Newspaper Tuesday 5 September 1911 the
following article appeared on Page 4

			CREWE'S NEW THEATRE
			OPENING BY THE MAYOR.
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The New Theatre, Crewe was opened under the happiest of auguries on Monday
evening (4 Sept 1911), when to a crowded house the eminent actor, Mr Edward
Compton, and a talented company presented "All for Her." The audience included
the Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs Jervis) and many prominent
townspeople and residents of the district, and all were almost favourably
impressed, both with the elaborate character of the theatre and with what was
presented for their delectation. It was found that lavish arrangements had been
made to ensure the comfort and safety of the audiences, whilst local
theatre-goers, who had been eagerly awaiting the re-opening, at once recognised
with pleasure a desire on the part of the lessee, Mr Dudley Bennett, and his
manager, Mr C Howard, to provide a succession of performances calculated to
inspire confidence and ensure success.

After an overture by the strong and well balanced orchestra, the Mayor, wearing
his chain of office, appearing before the footlights, in company with Mr Dudley
Bennett, and formally declared the theatre opened.  Prolonged applause greeted
the announcement and then the vast audience rose and sang the National Anthem.

The play then commenced and at once aroused the rapt interest of the audience,
which was maintained throughout the tree acts. The staging was complete. The
scenery and dresses were new, and so well did the artistes sustain their parts
that it was difficult to credit the fact that they appeared in their roles for
the first time. Mr Edward Compton, who had previously been seen in Crewe in
Sheridan's plays, and notably in "The School for Scandal," in which he played
Charles Surface, and also in plays of the character of "David Garrick," stands
in the front rank of his profession, and, judging by the frequent outbursts of
applause on Monday evening, he fully maintained his high reputation in the part
of Hugh Trevor. The central character of the piece, and comprising a delightful
element of human as well as a deep pathos, its faithful portrayal demands all
that is found in the true artiste: and Mr Compton was admirable in every way.
He was to be warmly congratulated, too upon having the support of so excellent a
company.

The two ladies of the piece, Miss Emelie Palini and Miss Mary Forbes, were seen
to distinct advantage, the former as Mary Rivers and the latter as Lady Marsden.
Each part was characterised by many difficulties, which were surmounted in
delightful fashion, and they were in a large measure responsible for the success
of the piece. As Lord Edendale, Trevor's brother. Mr L Robbins was also
eminently successful, whilst Mr Victor R.C. Moors imparted to the part of
Radford, the Government spy, all that was essential to a true impersonation.

Mr Norman Clifton was quite at home as Colonel Damer, and Messrs, Austin Dene,
Leslie Lyle and Edmund Sulley as Jacobites, whilst Mr N Grasswell was a capital
Crake, and Mr A. Robertson a typical butler, Graystone. Mr Richard Pass as an
officer, Messrs R Gwinnear and J Lelant as gaolers, and Mr H Hayle as the
executioner also rendered valuable assistance. Crewe has indeed, rarely been
visited by such accomplished exponents of the histrionic art in so enthralling a
play, and those who have read Dickens's "Tale of Two Cities" and were impresses
by the circumstances and nature of Sydney Carlton's sacrifice, should not miss
the opportunity that is presented this week.

At the conclusion of the play Mr Compton briefly addresses the audience "Will
you permit me" he remarked, "to thank you with all my heart for the brilliant
reception you have accorded to-night to our first performance of "All for Her".

Everyone was new to his or her part, including myself, and everyone, and
especially your humble servant, is intensely pleased and gratified with the
exceptionally favourable verdict that a representative Crewe audience has passed
on the play and the players (Applause.) And now, if I may be allowed, let me
congratulate you the architect, Mr Winstanley, on your really charming and
beautiful new theatre. (Applause.) I knew the old theatre and its old manager,
Mr Taylor, was an old respected and valued friend of mine, and I am quite sure
that had he been happily spared to us, he, who loved the drama so well, would
have rejoiced to see in his beloved Crewe, so completely worthy a Temple of
Thespis. Your present Manager, Mr Dudley Bennett, I also know well and admire
and esteem highly. I knew him as a mere boy. I have admired him as a mere man,
and I have always esteemed him as a mere manager. He may not be ineptly compared
to-night to the captain of a freshly launched vessel, the good ship New Theatre,
starting on a series of weekly voyages with a differently attractive port in
view each trip, weighing anchor from your good town he is bound to sail away
with a good Crew(e). (Laughter.) What he really wants is a good list of
passengers.

The bill of fare, you may rest assured, will be always the best proenrable, and,
goodness knows, the fares themselves could not be more reasonable. Fill up his
boat then week after week, crowd his cabins, and swarm his decks, and so enable
him, at the end of each year to sail smoothly into the harbour of success
(Applause) I felt it my bounden duty to say these few poor words, and so with my
renewed thanks for your kindness to me personally, I wish a kind good-night to
all." (Applause)

MR DUDLEY BENNETT expressed thanks to Mr Compton, whom he and his father had
known for many years, for coming to Crewe and opening the theatre. From Mr
Compton they could always expect a magnificent performance, because of his great
experience and his great art, and that night he had excelled himself in that
beautiful play, "All for her" was always looked upon by him as one of the most
beautiful of plays and its interpretation that night had equalled anything he
had seen. He heartily welcomed them to the new theatre, and remarked in
complimentary terms upon the work of the architect and others who had rendered
it so charming. Mr Dudley Bennett then referred to the programme of the season,
and assured them that it was his earnest endeavour to do everything possible to
meet their wishes and to ensure their comfort and convenience. (Applause.)
 
During the evening a flashbulb photograph of the audience was taken.

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				A PRIVATE VIEW 
On Saturday afternoon at the invitation of Mr Dudley Bennett, a large and
representative company had a private view of the theatre under ideal auspices.

The orchestra was in attendance, and after an inspection of the whole of the
building, afternoon tea was partaken of.

Amongst the invited guests were, The Baron Von Schroder, Sir Delves Broughton,
Bart, the Mayor and Mayoress Councillor and Mrs Jervis, Alderman and Mrs A.H.
Badger, Alderman and Mrs J Briggs, Alderman and Mrs E.R. Hill, Alderman and Mrs
H Hoptroff, Alderman and Mrs J.H. Kettel.

The list continued for various Councillors and invited guests.

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