The Linkman – The Tatler – Wednesday 25th February 1903
“The Linkman.” Before extinguishing the “sacred lamp of burlesque” (I think that is the trusty phrase) at the old Gaiety Mr. George Edwardes- has revived the lights of other days in The Linkman, which was produced after The Toreador on Saturday night. In the course of a bright hour we looked into a kaleidoscope of perplexing variety. From the dusty corners of the property-room fifteen old Gaiety successes from The Forty Thieves downwards and forty-one characters passed in quick succession, presented by fourteen of the present-day principals. Fred Leslie and Nellie Farren, E. J. Lonnen, Seymour Hicks, and the rest of them passed as quickly before us as did the warlocks that bewildered Tam o’ Shanter. Miss Ethel Sydney, whose imitation of Miss St. John – especially in the pronunciation of the term, “words” – was photographic, made the house die with laughter when she resurrected Miss Ellaline Terriss. Mr. Mackinder was very daring when he appeared perspiring (with grease paint) as Mr. Seymour Hicks used to do after his enormous energies. Miss Violet Lloyd gave us a capital Letty Lind, but Mr. Grattan’s Arthur Roberts was only so so.
The Gaiety Burlesque of Stall Rudeness. – I the roughly enjoyed the skit in The Toreador of the appalling bad manners that distinguish the stalls of our playhouses. Mr.. Grossmith sits in a chair with Mr. Payne in the pit behind him unable to see anything. “I’ve seen this piece sixty-two- times,” says Mr. Grossmith with his drawl. “I don’t think I’ll see it once,” says Mr. Payne, whose demand for his rights leads to a mimic melee in the pit with its familiar “Sit down!” It’s very amusing indeed. The dummy motor race is also screamingly funny.
The Tatler – Wednesday 25th February 1903
The Toreador – The Irish Daily Independent and Nation – Monday July 20th 1903
“THE TOREADOR.”
Mr. George Edwardes’ original London Gaiety Company in “The Toreador,” is the attraction at the Dublin Gaiety Theatre during this week. The entire production has been transferred direct from London, including scenery, dresses, effects, etc. Mr. Edwardes has gone to enormous expense in carrying out this engagement. “The Toreador” finished its successful career on July 4th, and with it the “Old Gaiety.” The London Gaiety was opened by Mr. John Hollingshead on December 21st 1868, with a triple bill, made up of the operetta, “The Two Harlequins,” Alfred Thompson’s adaptation of “L’Escamoteur,” “On the Cards,” and W. S. Gilbert’s operatic extravaganza, “Robert the Devil.” But three decades and a half have passed, and we already come to the final performance within a theatre whose varied policy and productions have been as much discussed as those of any playhouse in London.
For the last night of the “Old Gaiety” Mr. Edwards received over 20,000 applications for seats in the Pit and Gallery alone. Nearly every actor and actress of note has appeared et the London Gaiety at some time or other. Ada Cavendish, Samuel Phelps, Charles Matthews, John Ryder, George Conquest, Arthur Ceril, Sims Reeves, all appeared at the Gaiety in those early Hollingshead days. A good deal further down the fatal roll come the names of Fred Leslie, Kate Vaughan, E. J. Tounen, W. Elton, David James, Erneanx Cook, Tillie Belmore, Charles Harris, Meyer Lutz. In addition to “The Toreador” will be played “The Linkman,” or Gaiety Memories, which is a review of past Gaiety successes. All the most popular songs are introduced, and the old favourites impersonated by present-day artistes.
The company include Mr. Fred Wright, jun; Mr. Lionel Markinder, Mr. George Grosmith, jun; Mr. Robert Vainby, Mr. Harry Grattan, Mr. Herbert Clayton, Mr. Arthur Hatherton, and Mr. Edmund Payne. Amongst the ladies are Miss Connie Ediss, Miss Violet Lloyd, Miss Florence Allen, Miss Hilda Jacobsen, Miss Adrienne Augarde, Miss Gabrielle Ray. A remarkably handsome souvenir will be given away on Friday night. The production is in the capable hands of Mr. A. E. Dodson. The orchestra has been specially augmented, and will be under the direction of Mr. Jacques Greebe.
The Irish Daily Independent and Nation, Monday, July 20th 1903