THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: ‘Amusements’ continue to be performed in Belfast theatres despite violence

From the News Letter, October 12, 1920
Exterior views of the Grand Opera House in September 1980. Picture: Pacemaker PressExterior views of the Grand Opera House in September 1980. Picture: Pacemaker Press
Exterior views of the Grand Opera House in September 1980. Picture: Pacemaker Press

A century ago today the News Letter published listings for the week’s upcoming “amusements” at the city’s various theatres including the Grand Opera House, the Royal Hippodrome, the Empire Theatre, The Picture House, the Royal Cinema, to name but five.

These “amusements” were continuing despite the recent violence that had been inflicted on Belfast after week’s of rioting and unrest. The listings make fascinating reading.

The review for the three-act comedy ‘Mr Pim Passes By’ which was at the Grand Opera House read: “The dialogue, rather than the action, is the most enjoyable thing in Mr A A Milne’s three-act comedy ‘Mr Pim Passes By’ which is performed the Grand Opera House this week. Mr Milne is a humourist of the Shavian type, with a gift for wit and satire, and although there is a good deal of padding in his play he succeeds in springing a delightful surprise at the end. Now and again he strikes a note of pathos, but he never allows his emotions to get such a hold of him as to check the flow of his whimsical humour.

“All the same, he is very caustic in his treatment of vain and selfish George Marden, who the moment there is a danger of his wife being involved in a scandal shows the mean side of his character, and thinks only of himself while leaving the woman to work out her own salvation.

“It transpires that his alarm is without any justification. Mr Pim, the fussy and forgetful old gentleman who figures so prominently in the play, is the innocent cause of the the trouble in the first instance.

“Mrs Marsden has been twice married. Her first husband was an adventurer, who was reported to have died in Australia. The news of his death was well authenticated, but, as bombshell is thrown into the Marsden household by Mr Pim, who declared that on a voyage from Australia he had spoken to a man bearing the name of Mrs Marsden’s first husband.

“As a matter of fact Mr Pim got two names confused in hus mind, and when his mistake dawns on him he hastens to make amends.”

The review concluded: “Miss Marjorie Chard carried off the honours in last night’s performance, for she gave a very subtle and sympathetic study of Mrs Marsden. Mr Pembroke was not all convincing as George Marsden, but Miss Ross acted with spirit as the neice, and Mr Keith Johnston got well inside his part as Brian Strange, a young artist of progressive tendencies. The role of Mr Pim was filled by Mr Ryley, who made the old man very loveable in his simplicity and gentleness.”