Dear Bill, Thank you for all the information on record dealers who may have copies of my grandfather's recordings. You asked for some biographical details - so here they are - probably too much, in fact. Stage Name - VAL VOUSDEN Real Name - William Francis Maher MacNevin An actor, poet and playwright. Born in Carlow, Eire in 1886; died Dublin 1951. The Carlow Society put up a yellow plaque on the wall of the house he was born in - but unfortunately it has the dates of his birth and death wrong!. His Life as and Actor At the age of six he undertook his first professional appearance in Carlow Town Hall with the Pepper's Ghost Company when he played the part of Tiny Tim in 'A Christmas Carol'. According to an article in "Carloviana" written in 1953, he used the stage-name of "Bartley Hynes" during his very early years when he was touring Ireland and England. He returned to Ireland in 1910 - probably becoming Val Vousden about this time - and appeared at the Penny Readings at the Deighton Hall. Before the war he played with various stock companies and in his autobiography “Val Vousden’s Caravan”, he mentions spending three years with 'The Royal Stock Company' who were resident at a bijou theatre 'The Theatre Royal in Warrington' where he played the prince in Hamlet. He then joined the Carrickford Repertory Company and toured with them until the war came in 1915. During WW1, he was appearing in Cardiff and joined the army, seeing active service in France and rising to become Regimental Sergeant Major of the Welch Regiment. After the war, he returned to Dublin and started with Roberto Lena's Company in Newbridge. He then went the the Queen's Theatre, Dublin, where he stayed for a season, after which he joined James O'Brien in the O'Brien and Ireland Company, He stayed for three years with this company, going all over Ireland. He then returned to the Queens in Dublin where he acted with some of the leading actors and actresses of the day, including May Craig, the Abbey actress and P.J. Bourke, founder of Bourke's the leading Stage Costumiers, and Peadar Kearney, later author of the Irish National Anthem. During one of his resting periods he met Pearl O'Donnell, a Belfast actress in Derry, and they were later married. She did Scottish turns and they toured the country together, returning to the Queen's in Dublin. They had three daughters, Sheila, Mona and Patricia. When Irish radio began broadcasting under Seamus Clandillon, he presented the very first light entertainment show and continued to be a regular contributor to Irish radio until he died. The radio station has featured a brief recording of him on its 75th anniversary web-site in 2001. He died at the Clonskea Hospital, Dublin, on 6th June 1951 and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetary, Dublin. His funeral was followed by a great host of troupers who regarded him highly. Oddly enough, his was the only funeral to Glasnevin on that day, a thing that had not happened for twenty years. So he certainly had the stage to himself! Hope this is useful with kind regards Gloria Pattinson _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Hi Barry, Found quite a bit on a CHARLES H WILMOTT in "The melodies linger on" but nothing on a FOSTER WILMOT. I am researching my several times cousin BESSIE BELLWOOD. Carole. ----- Original Message ----- From: Barry Wilmot <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 5:32 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Foster Wilmot > Good Morning everyone, > > I recently found my long lost grandfather who had reputedly gone to Hollywood in the 1920's to make his fortune (heard that one before?) I'm afraid there was a little bit more to it than that because he left his wife and two children behind and that was the last they saw of him! > I had totally lost him until by chance in my research I found a cousin in Michigan USA and 'uncle Will' had been a much loved member of their family. He had joined two of his brothers who had emigrated before WW1. > He did become an actor and director and my wonderful family in the states have sent me photographs, press clippings and even his make up box. > According to one press clipping he had an acting career in the UK before he left for the US but apart from one photograph in theatrical costume I have no proof of him being a professional actor.On birth & death certificates & the census, he is never quoted as being an actor. > It states : > "Foster Wilmot, for five years in National Shakespearian stock at The Old Vic Theatre in London, has become associated with the Detroit Playhouse in the capacity of production director, the opening performance of the "The Bride the Sun Shines On" scheduled Friday night. > He received his early training in the Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and later toured the provinces as a student player with Sir Frank Benson and Henry Broadrib Irving........ > In 1920 Wilmot sailed for New York and came to Detroit by way of Toronto. He is well known in Detroit radio circles and is planning a book of his experiences in the Near East besides the weekly broadcast of his adventures over the air" > I must admit to be rather sceptical on some of his claims, but I would love to be wrong! > Can anyone help ? Anyone come across FOSTER WILMOT, or any suggestions on checking his story? > > Sorry this is so long but maybe I can offer something in return. > My grandmother (Foster's mother-in-law) lived next to the old Grand Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne and she ran theatrical 'digs' (boarding house). I have recently been left a large collection of autographed theatrical photographs which were given to her by the acts who stayed with her. I will start putting the names of the acts on the list and I would be happy to send a copy of any photograph if it helps someone's research. > > Great list, keep up the good work. > > Barry Wilmot > (Artistic Director - First Act Theatre. web site www.firstact.org.uk ) > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Post your interests regularly - new subscribers are joining every day. > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >

Any information on Phyllis and Zena DARE, Musical Comedy stars early in the century. My grandmother was said to be Phyllis' dresser and Phyllis was my mother's godmother. How this came about, is what I'd like to know. It must have been when they were in Lancashire, but you can never tell! Please get in touch if you know of anything Regards Lorraine in Oz

Good Morning everyone, I recently found my long lost grandfather who had reputedly gone to Hollywood in the 1920's to make his fortune (heard that one before?) I'm afraid there was a little bit more to it than that because he left his wife and two children behind and that was the last they saw of him! I had totally lost him until by chance in my research I found a cousin in Michigan USA and 'uncle Will' had been a much loved member of their family. He had joined two of his brothers who had emigrated before WW1. He did become an actor and director and my wonderful family in the states have sent me photographs, press clippings and even his make up box. According to one press clipping he had an acting career in the UK before he left for the US but apart from one photograph in theatrical costume I have no proof of him being a professional actor.On birth & death certificates & the census, he is never quoted as being an actor. It states : "Foster Wilmot, for five years in National Shakespearian stock at The Old Vic Theatre in London, has become associated with the Detroit Playhouse in the capacity of production director, the opening performance of the "The Bride the Sun Shines On" scheduled Friday night. He received his early training in the Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and later toured the provinces as a student player with Sir Frank Benson and Henry Broadrib Irving........ In 1920 Wilmot sailed for New York and came to Detroit by way of Toronto. He is well known in Detroit radio circles and is planning a book of his experiences in the Near East besides the weekly broadcast of his adventures over the air" I must admit to be rather sceptical on some of his claims, but I would love to be wrong! Can anyone help ? Anyone come across FOSTER WILMOT, or any suggestions on checking his story? Sorry this is so long but maybe I can offer something in return. My grandmother (Foster's mother-in-law) lived next to the old Grand Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne and she ran theatrical 'digs' (boarding house). I have recently been left a large collection of autographed theatrical photographs which were given to her by the acts who stayed with her. I will start putting the names of the acts on the list and I would be happy to send a copy of any photograph if it helps someone's research. Great list, keep up the good work. Barry Wilmot (Artistic Director - First Act Theatre. web site www.firstact.org.uk )

Elaine wrote - > Apart from Row Row Row I don`t but have you heard of a song about a man > called John taking his baby who was called Skinny Liz, also a song called > Standing on the Platform, and some really morbid songs called I wonder yes I > wonder and What is a Mammy Daddy > > Elaine I've not heard of 'Skinny Liz' or 'Standing on the Platform' My wife's mother and her mother used to sing 'What is a Mammy Daddy, everyone's got one but me' to their children would you believe!! When you think back, there were some really sad songs about. 'Little Pal' and 'I wonder who's kissing her now' spring to mind Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

Hands up, who's got their very own Web site? Why not share your creations with the rest of us. Put a permanent record of your web site on the THEATRE-UK site. All submissions to me personally please. Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

Hi, Good try Florence....but you got the wrong Row, Row, Row. The one I'm referring to is the one that goes - And then he'd row, row, row way up the river (it then goes on to tell about them hugging and kissing) The songs I listed were all considered a little risqué in their day (around the 1920's if I remember correctly) "The last time I saw Henry" was about a flashy type character, Henry (obviously!!) stealing his friend's girlfriend. Some of the lyrics to "Minnie the Mermaid" are 'Oh what a time I had with Minnie the Mermaid down at the bottom of the sea' There's also quite a bit of hugging and kissing in that one too. Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

While we are on the subject of old recordings - I have an original (one sided) recording of Caruso - singing "Because" (I think). Do these old recordings have value? Here in Australia, because we are not in a state capital, it is very hard to find out the real value of an item. Oooh, I envy you your copy of the Evening Gazette Adrienne - what fun. jan Jan & Des Wirges - Queensland, Australia Our Pottery http://www.realtime.net/~rsdcreek/wirges.htm

Hi, One of our loyal subscribers, Josephine Kemper, has sent me a brilliant suggestion. The Web site will have a section where you can 'advertise' free of charge, any items associated with the theatre/entertainment business. Details of all 'For Sale' items to be sent to me privately, not to the list (I don't want Rootsweb on my case!!) If I get enough response, I'll post regular notices to the list with very brief details. I want everybody to put their 'thinking hats' on and send me some more suggestions and I'll consider them for the web site (provided they're legal and physically possible!) Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

"By the Sea, by the sea, By the beautiful sea, You and me, You and me, Oh how happy we'll be.... "Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Life is but a dream". Okay-Dave, what's the secret, even if I missed 2 of them. Florence >From: "Dave Jassie" Reply-To: [email protected] To: >[email protected] Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Topics for discussion Date: >Mon, 4 Jun 2001 21:34:36 +0100 > >Hi again, Does anyone remember the following old songs - * The last time I >saw Henry * Row, Row, Row * By the sea * Minnie the Mermaid. If anyone can, >I'll tell you all a little secret. Regards, Dave Jassie - List >Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L >[email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - >THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site > >Greetings from Lincoln, England > > > > >==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== Why not visit the Circus, Theatre and >Music Hall Families Page at - >http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~paulln/index.htm > >============================== Create a FREE family website at >MyFamily.com! http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

No, Dave, I don't, apart from Row, Row, Row. It reminds me, however, that I have a Victorian Music box complete with 18 zinc discs, mostly 12 inch, that play Victorian ballads. One has to turn a handle to operate it and there is also a 'tremulo' choice! "The Miner's Dream of Home" is one of my favourites. Another is called " 'e dunno oo e are" and I was delighted to find, in a box of old music, the words to this very song. It also had the answer to it, " 'e's found out oo 'e are!" "I'll take you home again, Kathleen" is also in among the discs. I'm a retired opera singer (so is my husband) and I always root around in boxes of old music at boot fairs and so on. I have found some with the most beautiful covers and in excellent condition. We also have a Pianola with four hundred rolls a lot of which are 1920's dance music and brass band music. Haven't got around to trying them all, they need too much pedal-pushing! If someone can help me with the words of "The Children's Home" I would be very grateful. Somewhere I have the music but cannot find it. My 97 year old aunt loves to sing it at her retirement home but she can't remember all of the words. It starts "They played in their beautiful garden, the children of high degree" and goes on about a poor begger child looking through the railings at them. The usual Victorian sob story! My grandfather sang in the choir at St Etheldreda's in Ely Place, Holborn for 50 years. He was also a member of "The Mohawk Minstrels" Anybody ever heard of them? Every Sunday the family, all 11 of them, would gather round the piano and sing the old ballads. "The lost Chord" & "The Blind Organist" etc. Those were the days! Best wishes and thanks for your hard work.......... Josephine Allen-Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Jassie <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 9:34 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Topics for discussion > Hi again, > Does anyone remember the following old songs - > * The last time I saw Henry > * Row, Row, Row > * By the sea > * Minnie the Mermaid. > If anyone can, I'll tell you all a little secret. > Regards, > Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - > THEATRE-UK-L > NIR-ARMAGH-L > JASSIE-L > [email protected] > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site > http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site > > Greetings from Lincoln, England > > > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Why not visit the Circus, Theatre and Music Hall Families Page at - > http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~paulln/index.htm > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > >

Hi again, Does anyone remember the following old songs - * The last time I saw Henry * Row, Row, Row * By the sea * Minnie the Mermaid. If anyone can, I'll tell you all a little secret. Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

Hi listers, My mum has just sent me a copy from her local newspaper "The Evening Gazette" Blackpool's evening paper. In it is a suppliment that is running for 6 weeks called "WISH YOU WERE HERE". It is a series of nostalgia through the decades from the turn of the century of the Tower, Golden mile, Tower Ballrooms, Winter Gardens, piers, The Pleasure Beach, Stanley Park and Summer Shows. The pictures are certain to jog the memories of all who visited or lived there over the last century. If you have a treasured seaside photograph and memory of Blackpool you would like to share with the readers, contact Gazette tourism writer CRAIG FLEMING on 01253 36183, with full details. Or if your want to receive back copies and the next 4 weeks supplements call Gazette newspaper sales on 01253 361858. Sorry no WWW number advertised in the paper. I'm off to re read it again and look at some of the places that have since been demolished that my parents and grandparents told me about. PS There are a few photographs of CHARLIE CAIROLI and PAUL in there and some bill board posters. Adrienne

Hi everybody, I have now completed the Greater London Region of the 1881 Census and the third region, Middlesex, is on the Web site. I have also started the "Members' Interests" page, so more contributions would be welcome. *Remember* - this is YOUR mailing list, so make the most of it. Come on people - it's good to talk. Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jassie/ - THEATRE-UK Web site http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirarm/ - ARMAGH Web site Greetings from Lincoln, England

Hi Gloria, Below I give you what I know about the records made by Val Vousden, I strongly suspect that there may be two more records on Beltona that I have been unable to trace. All the records are rare, but the Beltona issue is even rarer. You can try the following people for copies - I don't know anyone in Ireland who deals in 78s; Mike Comber, Unit 10, South Ribble Enterprize Park, Capitol Way, WALTON-LE-DALE, Lancs PR5 4AQ. 01772-203288 Dave Cunningham, 8, Oakmont Drive, WATERLOOVILLE, Hants PO8 8TH 01705-252130 John Vose, 24, Norcliffe Road, BLACKPOOL, Lancs. 01253-354067 Arthur Badrock, 50 George Road, Drayton, NORWICH NR8 6DT 01603-867604 Bill Clarke, 60 High Road, Trimley St. Mary, FELIXSTOWE IP11 0SY. 01394-275795 the man below is not a dealer but he probably has the best collection of Irish records anywhere, he may have items for sale; Michael Hegarty, "Lloret", Aske, GOREY, Co. Wexford There are other dealers, but you can make a start on these. Can you give me some basic biographical detail on Val Vousden, please. I need dates of birth and death, real name (if this is a stage name) and a brief outline of his career. All for my work on Beltona Records(www.beltonaproject.co.uk) Hope this helps! Best wishes. Bill VAL VOUSDEN (speech): Recorded Peckham, poss. April 1930 M-12817-1 Excerpts from Robert Emmet's Speech from the dock Beltona 1538 M-12818-1 Excerpts from Padraig Pearse's oration at the Grave of O'Donovan Rossa Beltona 1538 Recorded Dublin, 19th. July 1931 WAR-727-1 Brannigan's remedy (V.Vousden) RegalZonophone IZ-173, MR-395 WAR-728 untraced WAR-729-1 Sullivan on the telephone RegalZonophone IZ-173, MR-395 EMI GAC-1004(LP) with Arthur J. Thornton (piano); Sean O'Carroll (2nd. voice) CAL-26-1 Road around Rathoe (Vousden) RegalZonophone IZ-714 CAL-27- O'Sullivan and O'Donovan on Wireless (Vousden) RegalZonophone IZ-694 CAL-28-1 Man from the County Mayo (P. Kelly) RegalZonophone IZ-714 CAL-29-1 Neck like a bullock (Vousden) RegalZonophone IZ-694 Beltona records were sold in Scotland & Ireland. RegalZonophone IZ series sold in Ireland only, MR series sold in United Kingdom. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Pattinson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 7:07 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Regal Zonophone Records > Dear Bill Dean Myatt > > Thank you so very much for your kind offer. My grandfather, an Irish actor, > went by the stage name of VAL VOUSDEN. He recorded several monologues with > Regal Zonophone: I have an old 1940s advertisement which reads: > VAL VOUSDEN records exclusively for Regal Zonophone, 1/6d each at all > dealers: > > IZ 694 - O'Sullivan and O'Donovan on Wireless / Neck Like a Bullock > IZ 714 - The Roads around Rathoe / The Man from County Mayo > IZ 173 - Brannigan's Remedy / O'Sullivan on the Telephone > > Any help you can give in putting me in touch with dealers who might have > copies of these, would be appreciated no end. > > With many thanks for your time and kindness. > > Gloria Pattinson > Kent, England. > > > > _________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Using CAPITAL letters when referring to surnames enables other subscribers to more easily find names of interest to them. > Make your 'Subject' lines eye-catching for better results. > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > >

In a message dated 04/06/01 22:33:46 GMT Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > [email protected] (Josef Kemper) > What a joy you sound to be Jo ~ Do keep on looking ~ Please do . Dont let them go I am for one really appreciate your work. Lauren

PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just then Dave I thought you was up for "sale"!!!!!!!!!!! My dear "boy" Just up and running and you want to sell the place!! Don't scare me like that I have had a residental "builder" for 9 weeks Only because I wanted an en suite! I have my eldest coming home from Uni in 4 days reclaiiming his room , plus the added stress of my youngest becoming 18 on Sunday. Dont do things like that too me. I cant cope! I love the "thread" of Blackpool too Dave, I hope to give some more too it. My mum is a mine of informarion ~~~~ when I get her going , got her down here in Kent! Just give me a few days when I have ride of the "builder" and etc!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Bill Dean Myatt Thank you so very much for your kind offer. My grandfather, an Irish actor, went by the stage name of VAL VOUSDEN. He recorded several monologues with Regal Zonophone: I have an old 1940s advertisement which reads: VAL VOUSDEN records exclusively for Regal Zonophone, 1/6d each at all dealers: IZ 694 - O'Sullivan and O'Donovan on Wireless / Neck Like a Bullock IZ 714 - The Roads around Rathoe / The Man from County Mayo IZ 173 - Brannigan's Remedy / O'Sullivan on the Telephone Any help you can give in putting me in touch with dealers who might have copies of these, would be appreciated no end. With many thanks for your time and kindness. Gloria Pattinson Kent, England. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

I have loaded a page on my website listing entertainers recorded in the baptism registers of the parish churches of Cardiff (up to about 1840), and other parishes in the area around Cardiff (up to about the 1880s and a few later entries). I use the word "entertainers" loosely - it includes organists (probably church), drummers (probably army) etc. I hope it may be of some assistance to others. the URL is http://www.angelfire.com/ga/BobSanders/Entertainers.html I am currently working on a list of Cardiff based or Cardiff born entertainers of the 20th century and on an index to the theatres, cinemas etc of Cardiff. Bob Sanders

> I am looking for a John Fitzgerald whose stage name was Jonny Dawes, he was a red coat and a black and white minstrel. He came from the Leeds area and had a daughter called Geraldine I think. He would be about 70 now. If anyone has any information I would love to hear from you. > I would like to suscribe to your mailing list > Thankyou April > >