Allan Monkhouse
Allan Monkhouse was a British playwright and drama critic known for his contributions to theater in the early twentieth century. Born in Barnard Castle, Durham, he initially pursued a career in the cotton trade before shifting to writing, joining the Manchester Guardian as a drama critic in 1902. Monkhouse's critical reviews were well-regarded, highlighting his keen insights into theatrical performances. He supported the establishment of Manchester's Gaiety Theater and was encouraged by its founder, Annie Horniman, to write his first play, *Reaping the Whirlwind*, which marked the beginning of the Manchester School of drama.
Throughout his career, Monkhouse penned over twenty plays, with a particular strength in one-act dramas. His notable works include *The Education of Mr. Surrage*, *The Grand Cham's Diamond*, and *The Conquering Hero*, the latter being recognized for its poignant antiwar themes. Monkhouse's plays often explored complex character relationships and societal expectations. His last work, *Paul Felice*, showcased his ability to delve into psychological narratives. Although he is often viewed as a minor figure in British theater, his contributions to drama criticism and playwriting left an indelible mark.
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Subject Terms
Allan Monkhouse
Journalist
- Born: May 7, 1858
- Birthplace: Barnard Castle, Durham, England
- Died: January 10, 1936
Biography
Generally considered a minor talent among British playwrights of the twentieth century, Allan Monkhouse was an able drama critic for the Manchester Guardian, which employed him from 1902 for over three decades. He also wrote drama criticism for the New Statesman. His critical insights were sharp and accurate.
Allan Monkhouse, son of John W. S. and Mary Brown Monkhouse, was born at Barnard Castle in Durham, England. Upon completing his secondary education, he entered Manchester’s thriving cotton trade, continuing in that pursuit for over a decade. In 1902, Monkhouse changed the direction of his life by joining the Manchester Guardian’s editorial staff and becoming one of its drama critics. He also began to write for the New Statesman, and his critiques were both penetrating and interesting. Indeed, when James Agate published The English Dramatic Critics, 1660-1932 (1932), he included one of Monkhouse’s reviews of the performance of two Shakespearean plays at Stratford.
As a drama critic, Monkhouse was supportive when, in 1908, Annie Horniman established Manchester’s Gaiety Theater as a repertory company. He applauded this development and gave it favorable attention in his newspaper columns. At Horniman’s urging, Monkhouse wrote his first play, Reaping the Whirlwind, for the Gaiety, where it was staged in September, 1908. The play is generally considered the initial work in what came to be referred to as the Manchester School of drama, a movement that helped such writers as Harold Brighouse, Charles McEvoy, and Stanley Houghton establish themselves as playwrights.
Monkhouse went on to write twenty more plays, most of them not notable successes. His most significant talent was in writing one-act plays, three of which, The Education of Mr. Surrage, The Grand Cham’s Diamond, and The Conquering Hero, stood out as being better than the rest. The Conquering Hero gained a considerable following and was, in its time, considered a most important antiwar play.
In this play, the protagonist, Chris Rokeby, a novelist of some promise, grappled with the question of whether an artist with something to contribute to society has an obligation to risk his life by going to war. Rokeby’s family is military, his father a colonel, his brother-in-law a captain. They pressure him into enlisting, which he does. Actually, he serves well and on his return home is greeted by a brass band. Despite this, his family looks with disdain upon his military service and upon his attitude regarding war.
Monkhouse continued to write plays almost to the time of his death. The Grand Cham’s Diamond was adapted for radio and broadcast by the British Broadcasting Company in 1927. Monkhouse’s last play, Paul Felice, produced in 1930, was noted for its psychological plot involving the taming of a difficult man by a woman who shows him affection.