venue

Central Hall & Albert Hall

Dates

20th - 21st March 1924 & 20th February 1925

Director

A. G. Revill

In 1924 Henry Arthur James's comedy 'Dolly Reforming Herself' became the first non-Shakespearean play presented by the British Empire Shakespeare Society (Derby Branch), as we were then known.

The play was produced at the Central Hall in aid of the Derbyshire Hospital For Sick Children, and raised a considerable amount of money. It went on to be performed again at the Albert Hall the following year as part of the centenary celebrations of the Derby Mechanics Institute.

The small cast was made up of company stalwarts and the play was notable for being the first production directed solo by George Revill, a linchpin of the company during it's first fifty years until his death in 1958. George directed many productions for us, as well as often appearing onstage in leading roles to great acclaim, and will always be remembered as one of our most valued and celebrated members.