Dear List, My first and only likely enquiry! Any help or links appreciated Alice FOSTER (actress) had a son, Josiah by an unknown father (possibly Edward Palmer- actor) then a daughter Florence, eventually marrying Florence's father Edward some 3 years later. See below 1. Alice FOSTER born 1842, Lathom, LAN ?, (daughter of Josiah FOSTER and Ellen FLETCHER) occupation Actress. Son by Unknown. Married 4 Aug 1873, Edward PALMER, born 1839, Burton on Trent, Stafford, occupation Actor. Census 1881, census place Ashton in Makerfield Anomaly - daughter Florence DOB is 4 yrs prior to marriage to Edward Palmer. Anomaly - Alice's birthplace given as John's Wood, MID, not Lathom? Unknown: Edward PALMER might have been the father of Josiah FOSTER #48 in which case there is no first partner, but there is no evidence to support this. Florence Palmer was born one to two years after Josiah Edward: Census 1881, census place Ashton in Makerfield Children by Unknown but possibly PALMER 2. i Josiah FOSTER born 12 Nov 1868, Lathom, LANcs, died 15 Oct 1886, Heyes Park Farm, buried: St James Ch. Westhead, nr Ormskirk. Death cert. gives cause of death as Phthisis (rotting of flesh) = (TB), and shown in attendance at death, was John Foster, an uncle, of Burscough 1881 census -Josiah was living as a gson, with grandmother, Ellen FOSTER at Heyes Fm, Lathom, Lancs. Children by Edward PALMER: 3. ii PALMER Florence born 1870, Otley, YKS, occupation Scholar in 1881 census. Query - was Florence surnamed FOSTER or PALMER on her birth certificate. Alice FOSTER & Edward PALMER did not marry until 3 yrs after her birth. She was born in Otley YKS, possibly while Alice (& Edward?) were on the road as thesbians. Her birth certificate not yet seen (4 Dec 1999). _____________________________ Regards Vin FOSTER nr Newbury, Berks, UK

Hello all, I'm looking for some information about Alfred SMITH. Family rumours are that he had a number of brass instruments and used to travel a lot. He disappeared and no-one ever heard from him again. He may have traveled to Canada or Australia or may have been murdered and the body never identified. This would have been in the early 1900's. Does any of this sound familiar to any one? Thanks Deborah Lovegrove Verona, Ontario, Canada [email protected]

Hello, I'm a new subscriber, I see that the list covers all aspects of theatrical life and I am particularly interested in the London Hippodrome. My ancestor William Drabwell was a decorator, and family oral history (the most dangerous kind) has it that he won a competition in Belgium and from that got the contract to decorate (or work on the decoration of) the interior of the London Hippodrome. He left his wife (not entirely his fault) and, I have been told changed his name to Edwards. He appeared to be quite well off and hung around the music halls. I know this is all very vague, but sometimes some little detail is the starting point to unravel the story. jan - collecting Drabwell - anywhere any time. Jan & Des Wirges - Queensland, Australia Our Pottery http://www.realtime.net/~rsdcreek/wirges.htm

Hi everybody, I've just had a look, and it seems the 'Threaded Archives' are online again, although they're only showing 31 messages at present, and I know for certain you have all been much busier with your posts than that. Many thanks for all the suggestions for the web-site. In answer to Josephine's question about my finding time - well, I've recently taken on the administration of another list and it's in just the right place to find myself 'a little helper.' Now, I'm not looking for any sympathy, but I've not been working on the web-site for the last couple of days as I've got an ear infection. Please keep sending all this fascinating stuff to the list - I'm getting a real education from you good folk. Regards, Dave Jassie - List Administrator for - THEATRE-UK-L NIR-ARMAGH-L JASSIE-L [email protected] Greetings from Lincoln, England

Look on http://www.google.com Plenty about Glynis Johns, probably photos as well. Josephine Allen Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 10:16 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Glynis Johns > Can anyone please tell me where I can find a photograph of the film star > Glynis Johns? T.I.A. > > Jean McCarthy nee Moore > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Please DO NOT send virus warnings to the list. > Send them to me at [email protected] and I will take > the appropriate action. > > ============================== > 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 > >

> > If he became a professional singer (I was, myself) Equity might be able to > help you. He must have been a member in order to sing for his supper, that's > the rule. or the Musicians Union? kind regards, Nettie

Try this page: http://www.links2go.com/more/www.geocities.com/Vienna/8917/ There are lots of links to opera sites. Try also www.google.com and type in "opera" (without the inverted commas) That will keep you busy for about two weeks! J.A.K. again......... ----- Original Message ----- From: Gordon H Dewhirst <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 8:29 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Richard Noel DEWHIRST > Greetings: > Has anyone come across the name Richard Noel DEWHIRST? He was born in 1938 > in Bradford, Yorkshire. He had aspirations to become an opera singer but I > don't know if he ever managed to become a professional singer. Any > information on him or sources of information on UK singers 1960-1990 > gratefully received. > Gordon Dewhirst, > Ottawa, Canada > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Using CAPITAL letters when referring to surnames enables other subscribers to more easily find names of interest to them. > > ============================== > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query! > >

Hi Listers, As an early subscriber to the list we are reposting our interests for later subscribers. My wife's grandfather Harry Patrick BUSH had a strong connection with the Aylesbury Market Theatre but we wonder if anyone can give us more information about him. We understand that he worked on the building of the Theatre but when was that? We think it was around 1910 and that he "drove" a steam engine used on the site. He then got a job with the Theatre and we have been told that he installed the electric system in the Theatre but again we don't know when. On his marriage certificate in 1912 his occupation was given as theatrical stage assistant and we have a later business card that gives his title as theatre manager. We are totally stumped by Harry Patrick and would really love some info on him, Best regards, Courtnay

Hi Listers, As early subscribers to this list we are reposting our interests to later subscribers. We have a number of postcards sent by "Rose Tree" from various places in the USA during the period 1907 to 1912 to her relatives in Aylesbury - we assume she was working in the USA. We also have a business card giving her previous name as "Little Rosie Trenchard" a child actress and vocalist, also on the card is a reference to "Mr Percy William, The Fatal Wedding Co" which we take to be a reference to one of her stage performances and we have a photograph of her in the company. We also have a card indicating that she appeared at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. She must have worked in the UK but where? Daisy Trenchard was her sister and we have a business card giving her as a "Chorus commedienne" living at 13 Harcourt Avenue, Manor Park, London. Any information about these two sisters would be gratefully received. Best regards, Courtnay

If he became a professional singer (I was, myself) Equity might be able to help you. He must have been a member in order to sing for his supper, that's the rule. Best wishes Josephine Allen Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: Gordon H Dewhirst <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 8:29 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Richard Noel DEWHIRST > Greetings: > Has anyone come across the name Richard Noel DEWHIRST? He was born in 1938 > in Bradford, Yorkshire. He had aspirations to become an opera singer but I > don't know if he ever managed to become a professional singer. Any > information on him or sources of information on UK singers 1960-1990 > gratefully received. > Gordon Dewhirst, > Ottawa, Canada > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Using CAPITAL letters when referring to surnames enables other subscribers to more easily find names of interest to them. > > ============================== > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query! > >

Just how many hours do you have in your day? Do you do all this work while sleeping or do you have a secret helper, like a Leprechaun? :o) You will tell us when it's ready, won't you? Thanks in advance Josephine Allen Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2001 2:36 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Web-site - suggestions please > Hi everybody, > I am in the process of building a simple little web-site dedicated > primarily to the topics defined for discussion on THEATRE-UK. > Firstly, I am currently extracting all 1881 British census, and 1851 > Devon, Norfolk and Warwickshire census records of entertainment, circus > and theatre related folk. > Before I go any further, would the final results be of any use to > anybody? > Also, if anyone has any useful URLs that I could include on the site, > please send them to me privately. > > Dave Jassie - List Administrator THEATRE-UK > [email protected] > > Greetings from Lincoln, England > > "It's one of the tragic ironies of the theatre that only one man in it > can count on steady work - the night watchman" > Tallulah Bankhead (1903-68) > > > > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Please post your reply to the list (except for personal mail) > Your message could be of interest to other subscribers. > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com > >

Here you go, try this one http://www.jump.net/~pwworth/biodex.html Just to whet your appetite: John McCormack was born in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland on June 14, 1884. The family was at that time living in a small row house in "The Bawn," a neighborhood in Athlone, east of the Shannon River. The river divides Athlone into two parts, with the west side being County Roscommon. John was the fourth of eleven children born to Hannah and Andrew McCormack, and one of the five to survive childhood. Both his parents were born in Galashiels, Scotland. Andrew's father was Irish and had originally hailed from Sligo. Mrs. McCormack's family was Scottish Presbyterian. McCormack's father came to Athlone to work in the woolen mills, employment that eventually led to managing a division of the firm he worked for. At age three in 1887 John's parents enrolled him in the school of the Marist brothers in Athlone. In 1896 he won a scholarship to the Diocesan College of the Immaculate Conception of Summerhill at Sligo. There he matriculated on October 15, 1896. He won two scholarships that ..............etc. etc. It's quite a big site Josephine Allen Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: SUSAN NEWMAN <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 6:12 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Count John McCormack > Dear List, > > Family gossip has it that my paternal Grandfather's first wife was a close relation of the "Count", does any kind soul out there have any info on his family at all. Most of the info on the internet is concerned with his singing career. > > Many thanks in advance > > Sue Newman > Sunny Cirencester in the Cotswolds > England. > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Please DO NOT send virus warnings to the list. > Send them to me at [email protected] and I will take > the appropriate action. > > ============================== > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query! > >

I have one or two old programmes in my possession. They are all early 1900s some undated. I will give as much info as I can about each one and post the names of the cast in case anyone should recognise someone. First: The Excelsior was in Hyderabad, India. Excelsior Cinematograph. Novelty theatre. For the week commencing Saturday the 25th October 1913. Part 1. 1.Pathe's Animated Gazette 2. East Lynne Cast: Mr Fred Paul; Mr Fred Morgan: Mr Gale: Master Pippin: Miss Fincham: Miss Blanche Forsythe. Part 2. Miss Alice Hughes and Mr Frank Lurin in the latest london success ' The New [email protected] and a selection of Songs, Dances and Duets Excelsior Orchestra under the direction of Mr J P DaCosta Manager Mr Alfred St Clair Part

Hello Carrie, I have been reading the postings regarding Gladys Cooper. I work in a library and have just come across a book entitled "Gladys Cooper, A Biography by Sheridan Morley", published in 1979. He was her grandson. Apart from several photographs, it also contains her family tree dating back to the mid 1600's. Do contact me if you would like any further information. I did take the book out, just in case ! Whilst writing I will also add my "theatre" interest. Monsewer Eddie Gray of Crazy Gang fame was my cousin. He married Patti Loftus, and whilst I know about him, I know next to nothing about her, although I know she came from a show biz family. Any recollections or details about either of them would be welcome. Wendi Lynch

"Richard Williams" <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi folks - new to the list, and researching my great uncle, Arthur > Christan KNIGHT, who was apparently manager at the Bournemouth Winter > Gardens around about 1923, at the time Pavlova performed there, and > latterly (about 1927?) at the Theatre Royal, St, Hellier, Jersey. Does > anyone have any information which could help me find out more about > him? Dick Here is a small item about the Theatre Royal from my notes about West Park Pavilion: Jersey had no hall where major events could be staged. Amusements took place at the Wybert Rousby¹s Theatre Royal (now the Opera House), the Royal Hall in Peter Street and the Prince of Wales Rooms in Minden Place but the capacity of all three was quite low. In May 1886 the Theatre Royal featured an alternating programme of pantomine starring Mr Mayne the clown and a drama entitled Trapp¹d and Mrs Jarley was displaying her ³World Renowned² Waxworks at the Royal Hall. So make contact with the Opera House, Gloucester Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QR and you never know !!! :-))) Alex

Hi List Further to Dave Jassie¹s suggestion that we all post our interests, here are (some of) mine..... West Park Pavilion in Jersey was built to house a circus in 1886, became a Skating Rink in 1909, a Concert Hall in 1911, was rebuilt as a Ballroom in 1931 - which lasted until the 60s - became a cabaret venue (in the summer) and live gig venue (in the winter) from the 70s to the early 1990s and a rave disco in the mid 1990s until it closed down in 1996. The building has seen many changes over the years. Now it looks as if all of this is coming to an end with developers having put in plans to put up a block of flats on the site. I am presently researching a book to commemorate the passing of a Jersey institution. If you have any memories, photographs, playbills or articles about the building that you would like to share please contact me. Particularily interested in the ballroom dancing demonstrators and professional dance partners plus the cabaret dance performers of the 1930s i.e. Jack and Jill, Ella Scutts, Billy Rolls and Dorothy etc. and bandleaders like George Coleman (London) and Jack Chapman (Glasgow). Further back Yorick the Fool appeared in Jersey in with Rolland¹s New York Circus in 1886 and 1887 and in 1907 when Sloan¹s Hippodrome visited the Island. A photograph of him has survived along with a brief interview, in Jersey Week by Week of September 21 1907..... ³Not the least attraction is the clowning of Yorick, the famous Fool, who made his reputation in Jersey more years ago than he probably cares to remember......there are many among us who remember Yorick in connection with the circuses of Mr Rowland (sic) for whom was erected what is now West Park Pavilion..... How many, then juveniles, have laughed at his jokes, and wondered at his tumbling; nor need we recall the prizes he offered for the largest cabbage-stalk and the biggest potato!² The article goes on to touch on Yorick¹s initiation as a Mason in Jersey and the Jersey Provincial records show that Yarborough Lodge initiated two men on August 10th 1887 - the first was Adolphus McKee, a musician, and the second Thomas Shovebottom, a comedian - this is probably our man. Can anyone confirm that I have this right? I have more on Yorick the Fool (whose son followed him into the business) if you are interested. :-))) Alex

My grandfather Walter Roche was a member of the Variety Guild and worked in vaudeville roughly between 1900 and 1940 in London. He performed under the name of 'The Boy Magician' in his early teens and later as 'Marco' and 'Waltina''. He did much charity work for the Variety Guild and I believe that this organisation supported my grandmother's family after his death. Cecilia Sharpley Melbourne, Australia ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ http://www.cecilia-letteringart.com http://www.duckpond-design.com.au ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ cecilia (sharpley) montrose, victoria, australia

Can anyone please tell me where I can find a photograph of the film star Glynis Johns? T.I.A. Jean McCarthy nee Moore

Hello List I am currently researching my Gramps life on "the Boards". I have traced his whereabouts in the 1920's playing banjo for BILLY WOOD'S "THE OHIOS" at Ashton Palais, and the Winter Gardens, Morecambe. W H BROADHEAD owned these Dance Halls, and I believe another 15 or so. So if anyone can come up with anymore for me to research I would be extemely grateful as I do believe my great grandfather worked for BROADHEAD too. Previous to that, he had a comedy act with my Gran when they first married, I know little of this. But I do know they where in Newcastle Upon Tyne, around 1913 to 1916. And before that he was a Pierrot with his family called the BIRCHES IN BLACKPOOL. Circa 1910 to 1914. If anyone has information of Pierrot Groups from around the North West, I would be highly delighted. This could tie in with a few connections that my Gramps knew and would be very helpful in finding out more about his brother HUBIE BIRCH's career, which I do believe was once upon a time with Jack Hylton. Thanks for listening Lauren

Greetings: Has anyone come across the name Richard Noel DEWHIRST? He was born in 1938 in Bradford, Yorkshire. He had aspirations to become an opera singer but I don't know if he ever managed to become a professional singer. Any information on him or sources of information on UK singers 1960-1990 gratefully received. Gordon Dewhirst, Ottawa, Canada