Dave, Will be interested to see the results. Julie (WADE nee ABDEY)

Hello Listers, I am a new member of this list. I wonder if anyone has information to share regarding John Fuller and his sons Benjamin and John. John started a very successful theatre company in New Zealand and Australia in the late 1800s. Earlier on in his career I understand he had a minstrel show which performed in London clubs. Son Benjamin appeared in a juvenile production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Savoy in 1884. Thanks, Jenny, USA

Hi, The following was meant for the list, but went to the Rootsweb subscription handler instead. Please post your messages to - [email protected] Thank you, Dave > Hello Everybody, > > Could anyone help me if they know the parents of Miss Horatia Nelson (married > name - Baker) b.1845 Dublin/d.1935 London who starred in many > radio/theatre/film productions and was the oldest working actress in the > 1920's. She was my husband's great grandmother, and was supposedly great > niece to Lord Horatio Nelson. > > Look forward to any anticipated help. > > Thanks. > > Christine Woods > >

Several messages concern G&S and D'Oyly Carte. The following may be useful: The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive can be found at http://diamond.boisestate.edu/gas It is a comprehensive site and has links to G&S information all over the web. Memories of D'Oyly Carte, a D'Oyly Carte Archive is at http://doyly-carte.musicpage.com Best of luck. Jonathan

Hi Dave! Can't cope with this volume of messages. Cand you switch me to the Digest list, please? Frank W Bullen Johannesburg, South Africa ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 14, 2001 10:21 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] A message from the List Administator > Hi everybody, > Well, I am absolutely delighted with the way the list is growing. At the > last count, there were 71 subscribers - that's not bad going!!! I am > also very pleased to see so many knowledgeable people willing to share > information. > > It has always been my intention for THEATRE-UK to be *YOUR* mailing > list - so, I would like to hear *your* views on the following - > I have been asked if I would be willing to integrate another list with > THEATRE-UK. It would mean we would be joined by about 130 more > subscribers. I suggested, and he has agreed, that we could also use his > excellent web-site as our 'home' > Below is part of Paul's reply which sets out his main concern. > "My only concern is that whilst my list caters <<primarily>> for > UK-based > research there are those outside the strict terms of the theatre - viz; > gypsy, travellers etc... and, although requests seem mainly to fall > within > the "UK" terms they are not always. It's really a question of how people > see > THEATRE-UK in those terms." > > Tell me what you think. > Dave Jassie > [email protected] > > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > If you are having problems or have any questions or comments about the list, I can be contacted at [email protected] > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library > >

Why not write to the R.A.M. and ask if he was a tutor there in the 1880's? Josephine Allen-Kemper (ex G.S.M. & D. student) ----- Original Message ----- From: Lyn Swift <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 10:25 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Charles Henry James Lawless > I am new to the list and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Lyn > and I live in Lincoln. I am currently researching my gg grandfather, > Charles Henry James LAWLESS who was a Musician. He lived in London, in > Bolsover Street, just around the corner from the Royal Academy of Music (I > have yet to ascertain whether he taught there or not). On his marriage > certificate his occupation is "Musician" but on his son's marriage > certificate he is down as "Professor of Music" so I am assuming he > progressed somewhat during the interim period. Would anyone have any idea > what sort of work he might have done in London in the 1880's please and > where he could have worked? I know it's a bit of a long shot, but I have no > idea where to start. Any help would be appreciated. > > Lyn > Lincoln > _________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > If you subscribe to other lists, particularly non-UK ones, > why not tell fellow subscribers about THEATRE-UK. > Please get permission from the List Administrator/Owner first. > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >

try a search on Google - there is an archive for D'Oyley Carte - but can't remember the add. Amy Cyndy Cotton wrote: > JAMES HERBERT AITKEN (b. 28 July 1894, Edinburgh) was a singing student at > the Royal College of Music, London between Jan 1920 and Dec 1921 > > Known as 'Herbert Aitken', he was a member of the D'Oyley Carte Opera > Company and appeared in the 1927 D'Oyley Carte production of The Gondeliers, > in which Derek Oldham, a close friend of my Grandparents, also appeared. > > (THE GONDOLIERS (1927). HMV Album Series No.48. Electrically Recorded under > the personal supervision of Rupert D'Oyly Carte. Black label D 1334 - 1345 > (complete set on 12 records). With D'Oyly Carte Chorus, conductor Harry > Norris. Cast: Henry Lytton, Arthur Hosking, Leo Sheffield, Derek Oldham, > George Baker, Richard Walker, Herbert Aitken, Ronald Stear, Bertha Lewis, > Mavis Bennett, Winifred Lawson, Aileen Davies, Sybil Gordon, Beatrice > Elburn, Doris Hemingway ) > > Would anyone have any further information about this Herbert Aitken, or know > whether there are any D'Oyley Carte Archives in existance? > > Best Wishes, > > Cyndy (Co Down, N. Ireland) > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > Post your interests regularly - new subscribers are joining every day. > > ============================== > Shop Ancestry - Everything you need to Discover, Preserve & Celebrate > your heritage! > http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog

Hello I am new to the list and I am mainly researching my family tree basically the surname PORTLOCK. I believe there was / is a Lesley PORTLOCK living in Croydon who was involved with the performing arts Pre & Post second world war. I would be glad to hear from anyone with any information about him. Thanks Max In Cary Grant country

Hi There I wonder if any one knows if there is an archive of people who played The Music hall of Leeds I have tried the City Varieties but they do not Have Archives as such. They have old playbills in the foyer but none Of the people I am looking for. My grandfather's brother and sister played the music halls about 1900 He was a ventriloquist magician she was a dancer. He went under the name Alfred Bernard Downs really Alfred Longley and His sister was Edith Minnie Longley. I hope someone can help me trace them. Stanley Longley in Doncaster

Hi All, I am new to this list and I am trying to break down a brick wall that has had me stumped for many years. The story goes like this, My father Henry HARLEY was born in 1906 in South Shields Co. Durham and at the ripe old age of 18 (1924) set sail for Australia on a Merchant ship as a cabin boy departing South Shields in late 1923 or early 1924 for Newcastle (NSW Australia). When he arrived in Australia via South Africa and India he so liked Australia that he "Jumped Ship" and became an illegal Immigrant and worked as a Charlie Chaplin impersonator at a small theatre in Newcastle (Australia) for some time before he met and married my mother. When he died I was helping my mother clean out his writing desk where I came across his "ships papers" that gave the name of the ship and its date of arrival in Australia but my mother made me BURN these papers as "My father was an illegal immigrant". I have searched the National Archives crew lists of all British ships from South Shields that arrived in Newcastle for about 12 months before the first known date of his arrival but found many ships from South Shields but nothing on my father. As he worked as a Charlie Chaplin impersonator in Australia I wondered if he may have been doing the same in South Shields before he left the UK. Where may I be able to find if there are any records left of small theatres in South Shields around 1923/1924. Thanking you all, Michael Harley, in Brisbane Australia.

I am new to the list and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Lyn and I live in Lincoln. I am currently researching my gg grandfather, Charles Henry James LAWLESS who was a Musician. He lived in London, in Bolsover Street, just around the corner from the Royal Academy of Music (I have yet to ascertain whether he taught there or not). On his marriage certificate his occupation is "Musician" but on his son's marriage certificate he is down as "Professor of Music" so I am assuming he progressed somewhat during the interim period. Would anyone have any idea what sort of work he might have done in London in the 1880's please and where he could have worked? I know it's a bit of a long shot, but I have no idea where to start. Any help would be appreciated. Lyn Lincoln _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

JAMES HERBERT AITKEN (b. 28 July 1894, Edinburgh) was a singing student at the Royal College of Music, London between Jan 1920 and Dec 1921 Known as 'Herbert Aitken', he was a member of the D'Oyley Carte Opera Company and appeared in the 1927 D'Oyley Carte production of The Gondeliers, in which Derek Oldham, a close friend of my Grandparents, also appeared. (THE GONDOLIERS (1927). HMV Album Series No.48. Electrically Recorded under the personal supervision of Rupert D'Oyly Carte. Black label D 1334 - 1345 (complete set on 12 records). With D'Oyly Carte Chorus, conductor Harry Norris. Cast: Henry Lytton, Arthur Hosking, Leo Sheffield, Derek Oldham, George Baker, Richard Walker, Herbert Aitken, Ronald Stear, Bertha Lewis, Mavis Bennett, Winifred Lawson, Aileen Davies, Sybil Gordon, Beatrice Elburn, Doris Hemingway ) Would anyone have any further information about this Herbert Aitken, or know whether there are any D'Oyley Carte Archives in existance? Best Wishes, Cyndy (Co Down, N. Ireland) _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Hi Listers If anyone has any knowledge of Joseph GRIMALDI's children or his father's many illegitimate offspring marrying into the PAVITT or SMITH families from Essex or London, St Pancras, I would be ecstatic, delighted, amazed. You name it, that's me! I'm also looking for data on THE MOHAWK MINSTRELS c. 1900-1930, started, I believe, by my grandfather Matthew MORAN and his brother James MORAN, both basses. James MORAN's son, also James, was a boy soprano whom Gigli chose to sing the part of the Shepherd Boy in Tosca. Does anyone have any news of this James? He would be around 77 now. Regards Josephine Allen-Kemper

Hi Blanche Nothing to do with the Theatre site but commiserations on you R.S.I. My husband plays Bass and has also built a five string, swell back, full size bass, never having done such a thing before. He would be suicidal if he couldn't play his beloved bass, all day.......every day......... He also sings, he's a baritone and I am a retired opera singer, too. I am the genealogist in the family and also looking for the connection between Joseph GRIMALDI and my grandmother's family. They are PAVITT's and SMITH's from Stanford Rivers and Theydon Mount in Essex. I am hoping also that someone has heard of the MOHAWK MINSTRELS with whom my grandfather Matthew MORAN sang. That was around 1910 - 1930 (I believe) Best wishes Josephine Allen-Kemper ----- Original Message ----- From: Blanche Charles <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 8:01 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] SIDDONS > Hello Dave & Theatre Listers > > Having joined this List this morning [New Zealand time] I'm not wasting time > in posting a query. I'm a 'muso' [cellist in our National Orchestra for 29 > years until overtaken by the dreaded 'repetitive strain injury'] and > passionate family historian / genealogist. Anyway, is there anybody who can > possibly help me out, please? > > My query relates to the in-laws of [Mrs] Sarah SIDDONS, nee KEMBLE. > > Sarah KEMBLE m William SIDDONS, 26 Nov 1773, Trinity Church, Coventry, WAR > > William SIDDONS was chr 24 Sep 1744, St Matthew, Walsall, STS, s/o Joseph > SIDDONS and his wife Ann. > > Joseph SIDDONS was given as a Licensed Victualler - the "London Apprentice", > Walsall and was, reputedly, killed in a "fist-fight". He had been baptised, > 3 Aug 1707, Darlaston STS. > > Can anybody please assist me with: > > a/ the date of Joseph's ignominious death? > > b/ the date of Joseph's marriage and the name of his wife, Ann? > > Joseph SIDDONS was a younger brother of my 5x gt-grandfather, William > SIDDONS [for whom, I guess, Mrs Siddons' husband was named.] > > Many thanks for any assistance. > > Blanche Charles > Wellington, NZ > > > > > > ==== THEATRE-UK Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe, send an e-mail with just the word - unsubscribe - > in the body of the message to [email protected] > or [email protected] if in 'Digest' mode > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > >

I found a picture titled "Ribton and Richards" from probably early 1900's to 1950. All I know is that the RIBTON's lived in Liverpool.

An extract from the 1959 Northwich Guardian Newspaper, Ex-music hall stars look back on happy stage career One of the funniest music hall acts in this country for many years was that of Professor Sparks and Thelmina. Customers of Mr. George Rathbone, the Northwich electrical engineer, would never guess that the mild-mannered Mr. Rathbone is the Professor Sparks who had audiences at every large theatre in England, including the London Palladium, rocking with laughter. A native of Northwich, Cheshire, Mr. Rathbone, studied electronics at Glasgow Technical College, and by the time he was 30, had 25 patents to his credit. At the age of 18 he had his own laboratory in Boundary Street, Northwich, Cheshire. Little wonder, therefore, that this brain could contrive the machines and gadgets that brought him national fame in later years. Mr. Rathbone told us of his outstanding act. "The idea was for members of the audience to wash an electrical baby. Every time any one tried to scrub the baby they ended up by scrubbing themselves,'' he said. The baby was so rigged that it could not be touched with water. A novel idea of Mr. Rathbone's was to fix tiny bulbs in Thelmina's accordion, so that whenever a key was pressed the appropriate light flashed on and off. He said this was most impressive on the darkened stage. Mrs. Rathbone, who lighted a batch of bulbs from her mouth, performed a trick that had the audience gasping. Her husband previously charged her with electricity. Among the many friends Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone made in show business were Max Wall, Tommy Trinder and George Formby, none of whom would follow their act in the same bill. They worked with the Crazy Gang at the London Palladium before the 2nd world war, and, during the course of their stage career appeared at every music hall throughout the British Isles. One of their fondest memories is of their appearance at the Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead, where the first radio broadcast was made. But the "baby" was put away in the late 1950's, when Mr. Rathbone at the age of 67 set up as an Electrical Engineer in his hometown of Northwich. He died in 1972 at the Grand old age of 80. Shortly afterwards, his wife and Music Hall partner "Thelmina" joined him in that Great Music Hall above. George Rathbone, b. 1892, d. 1972 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.252 / Virus Database: 125 - Release Date: 09/05/2001

Hi gang, Have any of you heard of "Professor SPARKS & Thelma. (AKA George & Thelma RATHBONE) They had an electrical Comedy Act called "Washing the Electric Baby" I know for a fact that they appeared at most Varity Theatres throughout Great Britain & Ireland in the 1930's, 40's and 50's finally retiring in the late 1950's. They also had a spell with Lord George Sanger's Circus in about 1948 I think Mr. Rathbone sold the Act to "STROMBLI" in the 1960's Any help would be appreciated. Oh, by the way, I have their book which makes very interesting reading. Regards, Martin MOORE On the South Pennines in Lancashire --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.252 / Virus Database: 125 - Release Date: 09/05/2001

Hello Dave & Theatre Listers Having joined this List this morning [New Zealand time] I'm not wasting time in posting a query. I'm a 'muso' [cellist in our National Orchestra for 29 years until overtaken by the dreaded 'repetitive strain injury'] and passionate family historian / genealogist. Anyway, is there anybody who can possibly help me out, please? My query relates to the in-laws of [Mrs] Sarah SIDDONS, nee KEMBLE. Sarah KEMBLE m William SIDDONS, 26 Nov 1773, Trinity Church, Coventry, WAR William SIDDONS was chr 24 Sep 1744, St Matthew, Walsall, STS, s/o Joseph SIDDONS and his wife Ann. Joseph SIDDONS was given as a Licensed Victualler - the "London Apprentice", Walsall and was, reputedly, killed in a "fist-fight". He had been baptised, 3 Aug 1707, Darlaston STS. Can anybody please assist me with: a/ the date of Joseph's ignominious death? b/ the date of Joseph's marriage and the name of his wife, Ann? Joseph SIDDONS was a younger brother of my 5x gt-grandfather, William SIDDONS [for whom, I guess, Mrs Siddons' husband was named.] Many thanks for any assistance. Blanche Charles Wellington, NZ

Posted on behalf of Denis Harrison - [email protected] Please reply to Denis directly, not the list - thank you, Dave I am looking for information for family history research on the family name Harrison. My great uncle Charles Harrison born abt 1860 and died in 1943 was stated in Whos Who to have been a child actor before becoming a famous cartoonist/carricaturist, the entry states "he was a child actor and came from a theatrical family". I have information on his artistic career but do not know of his theatrical activities. I believe he played a child part with a famous actor in the 1860`s plus. Hope you can help me. Regards, Denis Harrison. Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. [email protected]

Hi Folks, I am looking for information on NOAH REUBENS (1873-1945). He was an auctioneer and watchmaker in Middlesbrough and was well known for his local music hall appearances and at working mens clubs. He was renowned for recitations of Dickens etc, of the @Christmas Day in the Workhouse' variety. He was also a member of the Royal Ancient Order of Buffaloes. His father, Isaac Reubens (b 1836, Vilcaviskis, Lithuania, d 1901) was a slipper maker, but was reputed to be a circus performer. Noah's mother and sisters were accomplished (amateur) singers. Noah's nephew was the well-known north country comedian Dave Morris (1896-1960) who had radio and television shows in the 1950s and 60s, but was best known for his summer shows at Blackpool. Any information on Noah or Dave would be appreciated. Stuart.