THE DRAMATISATION OF "SEXTON BLAKE"

Note: This article was written by the grandson of JOHN M. EAST, who produced and starred in the very first Sexton Blake theatre production. The play was adapted from FIVE YEARS AFTER which was published in UNION JACK issue 165 (Dec. 1906).

John M. East was a well known theatrical manager. He controlled the Lyric Hammersmith from 1892-1904, the Britannia Hoxton 1904-5, and the Elephant and Castle Theatre from 1906-7. He produced plays in the West End — "The Wheat King" Apollo and Avenue 1904, and his companies played all the London suburban houses like the Crown Peckham, Broadway New Cross, Shakespeare Clapham etc. East produced the famous "Invasion" at the Crystal Palace in 1909 — with a cast of hundreds and a real zeppelin — it depicted an attack by air on a peaceful community. In 1914 he was associated with Percy Nash in building the first studios at Elstree-Neptune — and until his death East was largely concerned with appearing in films, here, in France and Russia.

John East saw the dramatic possibilities of "Sexton Blake" and he, Percy Nash, Brian Daly and others approached Harmsworth Press, who agreed to the idea. A copyright performance was given at the CROWN THEATRE, PECKHAM on Feb. 24th, 1908. The DRAMATIC SYNDICATE COMPANY with offices in Maiden Lane and later Panton Street, decided to send "SEXTON BLAKE" on tour. A No. 1 company, special plant and scenery was built, and the play with alterations by BRIAN DALY went into rehearsal produced by JOHN M. EAST to open at the WEST LONDON THEATRE March 30th, 1908, then to the SHAKESPEARE CLAPHAM, and on to the GRAND BRIGHTON, where it broke all records and over 10,000 attended the performances.

Such was the success that by July 1908 CHARLES A. EAST was brought in to play the villain Randolph Lovell, and his wife MISS EAST ROBERTSON the American adventuress Philadelphia Kate. JOHN M. EAST played the 'Veritable Bill Sykes', a bad bold burglar Simon Faggus, throughout the tour, as well as producing, and his partner BRIAN DALY, Farmer Blackburn. HORACE HUNTER, who East had under contract for some time made a great hit as SEXTON BLAKE, and his young wife Lily Hammersley played Marjorie Lovell. Life long friends, the Hunters passed away in recent years, also Percy Nash, who was associated with the business side of the tour.

Tricky it was to find a bloodhound. East saw an advertisement in "Exchange and Mart" and went to see a lady in Streatham. After a lengthy interview, East mentioned 'I need the animal to play Pedro in a play, "Sexton Blake".' She replied "Good morning Mr. East, I would never want my dog to go on the stage." However she relented, and East housed 'Pedro' in a special cage built for the purpose in the garden of his Chiswick home. John East's children would spend hours having rides on his back, and he became quite a celebrity in the district. Pedro had a long chain which allowed him to roam around the garden, and John East's daughter took pity on him one morning. She knew he had one meal a day. Without compunction she threw out father's breakfast; a pound of steak and a bottle of beer - straight out of the window, and in toto. The steak satisfied his appetite, the broken glass lacerated his paws. Pedro recovered and became a great box office draw, getting big billing on all the posters. There were 7 tours of "Sexton Blake" by 1911. John East received a percentage, but gave up appearing in the play, because his production of "Invasion" at the Crystal Palace, in 1909, and on the continent in 1910 and 1911, occupied all his time. The Dramatic syndicate later toured "Hush Money or "The Disappearance of Sexton Blake", "After Midnight", "Tracked by Wireless", "Master of the Mill" etc ... and arranged the film rights. "Hush Money" toured from May 1909. "Pedro" retired to Charles East's estate at Watford and died there during the 1914 war.

Details of the play: "SEXTON BLAKE" produced by John M. East, was billed as "Showing the many sideness of human nature, avarice, greed, viciousness, cruelty, fidelity, trust, purity, and philanthropy: Of joy and happiness" — "The Thrilling detective drama, the strongest cast on the road including John M. East (also producer), Horace Hunt, Brian Daly, Charles East and Miss East Robertson: Packed houses the rule."