It's gone a bit quiet so I thought I'd post something. Anyone interested in the D'Oyly Carte? Found the following site very interesteing http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/whowaswho/index.htm the following has a couple of Actor/Actress pictures http://www.users.waitrose.com/~victorian/post/act1.htm as well as a huge number of Victorian photos http://www.rogerco.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm Good hunting Regards Derek Ive

Just type "tiller girls" into Google's search box (click on UK sites only) and it will keep you going for a while. There are fifteen pages of web sites about the girls! Josephine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alaine Bastow" <a.bastow@shaw.ca> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 6:57 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Tiller Girls > I am interested in finding out about the John Tiller Dance Group or The > Tiller Girls > My grandmother Florence Ethel PARKER (stage name "Chrissy" ) was with the > group in the 1890's > Any information would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks > Alaine White Rock BC Canada > >

Frederick CATTLE married Ellen BOSWELL of the Boswell family circus 30 Oct 1878 at Hanley Co. Stafford. Frederick CATTLE going by Census data (1901 Hull) was born about 1849 in London and highly probably Baptised or known as Frederick Isaac CATTLE. His children born in various countries and wife Ellen in Paris are reasonable well known. However......??? Can anyone shed light on the parents of this Frederick Isaac CATTLE born about 1849 in London?? Rob

I am interested in finding out about the John Tiller Dance Group or The Tiller Girls My grandmother Florence Ethel PARKER (stage name "Chrissy" ) was with the group in the 1890's Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Alaine White Rock BC Canada

Did you notice that the "Who's Who in G & S" http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/whowaswho/index.htm website they give her death date as 7 Jan 1969 in Dartford? Janice Toowoomba

Hi Des, No entries in the Who's Who for Alford, Drofla, Bedford, or Hudleston, I'm afraid. I see that someone has already followed up about Jessie Hudleston though, so hopefully you'll find out something useful from that lead. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "alford" <betdes@hotkey.net.au> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 2:14 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hello Neal > > Many thanks for your offer. Would be pleased if you could check for any > possible references to: > > ALFORD Jessica (born c1882 Bromley-by-Bow, MDX) - apparently used the stage > name DROFLA, married John BEDFORD. > > BEDFORD John - actor/stage director/playwright > > HUDLESTON Jessie - (born c1873 Mile End, MDX) - aunt of Jessica > ALFORD. Student of Guildhall School of Music. Appeared in operas in > London 1893-1901. Apparently engaged by Sir Augustus Harris, to go to USA > as "Gretal". Toured South Africa as principal soprano with D'Oyly Carte > Opera Company (8 April 1902-18 May 1903). Seems to have "vanished"! > > Many thanks > > Des Alford > NSW (Downunder) > >

Hello Neal Many thanks for your offer. Would be pleased if you could check for any possible references to: ALFORD Jessica (born c1882 Bromley-by-Bow, MDX) - apparently used the stage name DROFLA, married John BEDFORD. BEDFORD John - actor/stage director/playwright HUDLESTON Jessie - (born c1873 Mile End, MDX) - aunt of Jessica ALFORD. Student of Guildhall School of Music. Appeared in operas in London 1893-1901. Apparently engaged by Sir Augustus Harris, to go to USA as "Gretal". Toured South Africa as principal soprano with D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (8 April 1902-18 May 1903). Seems to have "vanished"! Many thanks Des Alford NSW (Downunder)

Hi Whirligigers! You registered to be informed of updates to the WHIRLIGIG 1950's BRITISH TV AND RADIO NOSTALGIA site. February 2003 Newsletter. Unfortunately I have to report the passing of two stalwarts of '50s TV this month: Barry Bucknell, TV's original DIY expert in the 1950s and 1960s has died, aged 91. Barry passed on his tips in a programme called "Do It Yourself", which later became "Bucknell's House". The half-hour programme was broadcast on BBC TV and was a forerunner to the wide range of homes and interiors shows which fill the schedules today. The programme was initially transmitted live. In an article in the Daily Mail, Barry said that he used to rehearse a lot at home with his wife timing him with a stopwatch. He'd build something like a new kitchen cupboard but, of course, it then had to be taken down again and moved to the studio for the programme. Even with all the rehearsing, there were still often disasters, such as the time he oversoaked the paper for a ceiling and it dropped down on him. He had to say, "This is how not to do it!", but the viewers loved it! He later went on to design the immensely popular Mirror dinghy. http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml? &xml=/news/2003/02/22/db2202.xml Also, Dick Simmons, star of "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon" has died aged 89. Dick Simmons was most closely identified with the role of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, which ran on television from 1955 to 1958. Aided only by his black horse Rex and his malamute dog Yukon King, Preston single-handedly enforced law and order each week on the Canadian frontier, ending each show with the words, "Well King, this case is closed." Simmons also directed several of the 30-minute episodes. http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/story.jsp? story=379586 On a lighter note, this month's new video clips are again a fair old mixture: First there is a clip from "Beat the Clock", the parlour game which featured as a regular spot in "Sunday Night at The London Palladium" - ("You'll have the time of your life, beating time for big time prizes"). Members of the audience were invited to complete odd tasks, like catching table tennis balls in a butterfly net, within a short period of time measured by a large clock at the backdrop. Bruce Forsyth made the most of this game-piece, indeed it was the forerunner of "The Generation Game", a highly popular BBC programme of later years. The clip features the word game board in which a contestant had to unscramble "a well known phrase or saying" against the clock. http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/snatlp.htm In 1953, our new Elizabethan era brought with it a revived interest in Good Queen Bess, of Tudor times. So it was not surprising that the BBC allocated a whole evening's viewing to that far-flung era, when they whisked us back in time, to the castles and kitchens, of Elizabeth I's reign. Even the announcers, Malcolm, Peters and Hobley, were attired in Tudor costumes. Mary Malcolm read 'Ye News', which had been heralded by a dozen or so, appropriately costumed, village lasses, seen, clinging to floral garlands, and prancing around a decorated maypole, to the strains of the BBC TV Newsreel theme. The clip features an Elizabethan scientific rocket experiment and Philip Harben, wearing cross-gartered tights and knickerbockers, in the Tudor kitchen: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/british.htm#An Evening's Diversion Arthur Dungate's website has a lot more information about the BBC's Elizabethan evening and a lot more pictures too: http://www.bbctv-ap.freeserve.co.uk/liztv.htm The next new clip features the Larkins who were a rumbustious cockney family headed by the henpecked, but cunning husband, Alf, played by David Kossoff, and his burly, battleaxe, bossy wife, Ada, payed by Peggy Mount. They lived at 66 Sycamore Street somewhere in the London suburbs and Alf worked in the canteen at a plastics factory. http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/larkins.htm The final clip features Circus Boy. After his parents were killed in a high-wire accident, ten year-old Corky Wallace was adopted by the circus' owner, Big Tim Champion. Corky rode his baby elephant Bimbo, dealt with his adolescent problems, and helped the adults keep the circus in the black as the show moved from town to town each week. Corky shared screen time on the live-action Circus Boy with clown Uncle Joey and the always energetic Pete. http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/circusboy/circusboy.htm Just as I was about to run out of new video material, I received a batch of new video clips from Jimmy Keary, a visitor to Whirligig from Ireland, and these will be released over the next few months including Billy Bunter, Sir Lancelot, The Grove Family and another Circus Boy clip. Thanks Jimmy! So keep a lookout on the website and I'll be back with more news next month. =================================================================== As usual, if you think of anything that is missing or incorrect, have any more information about the programmes featured or just want to share your memories, do drop me a line to terry@whirligig-tv.co.uk Alternatively place them on the Message Board which I monitor daily at: http://go.ezboard.com/bwhirligigtv That's about it for now. Bye! Terry Guntrip (aka Mr. Turnip) http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk http://www.TurnipNet.com -------------------------------------------------------- See the "What's New" Pages at: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/whatsnew.htm http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/whatsnew.htm with links to all new major updates or use the A TO Z SITE INDEX at: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/siteindex.htm http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/siteindex.htm --------------------------------------------------------

Hi Listers Some of you will probably have these sites saved, I have only just discovered them........ http://www.vaudeville-postcards.com/ http://65.107.211.206/mt/bibliography.html http://65.107.211.206/mt/bibliography2.html http://65.107.211.206/mt/bibliography3.html Cheers Josephine

Hi folks, David Giles-Probert has kindly sent me some scans of programmes he has and I have now uploaded these to the Theatre-UK website. If anyone has entertainment related photos, programmes, posters, etc. that they would like including on the website, please send them to me privately in JPG format. Best wishes, Dave Jassie - dave.jassie@ntlworld.com (List Administrator) For information regarding mailing lists, web sites and look-up resources I have, Visit Gen-Links at - http://freepages.misc.rootsweb.com/~jassie/index.html

Hi all Earlier this month, a couple of people on the list mentioned Alfred DENVILLE and the Denville company (in connection with John LATIMER and the play Maria Marten, I believe). I'd be grateful if those people could get in touch with me -- I've just been looking through my Dad's memoirs and discovered that my grandfather Sydney DENCH was in a portable with Alfred Denville. Whether this was Alfred Denville's own portable company or a different one I don't know. Anyway, if anyone has any information, it would be nice to track down more details about this association. My dad's memoirs also contain a couple of interesting anecdotes about Alfred Denville, for anyone who might be interested in such things. Cheers -- Neal

Hi Neal, Thanks for the information. This was enough to rule out (I think) any connection to my family. Appreciate your help, Brian ----- Original Message ----- From: Neal Dench <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 5:19 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Madam Rolls/Rowles > Hi Brian > > No birthdate given for this entry sadly, but here's a few bits of the entry > to see if that helps identify her: > > WATSON, Margaret, actress; d. of J Boles-Watson and his wife Madge > (Johnstone); e. Dundee; m. W. Wallace Aston; has been on the stage since > early childhood, her parents being well-known provincial actors; played a > number of juvenile parts before going to school; after completing her > education, toured for several years in the provinces, and for two years > played the Empress Josephine in "A Royal Divorce"; in 1907, toured with Mrs > Patrick Campbell, playing "seconds" in "The Second Mrs Tanqueray", "The > Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith", "Magda", "Hedda Gabler", "Electra", and "The Flower > of Yamato"; ... > > It goes on, but I guess that's enough to establish some background and give > a rough guide as to her age. > > Let me know if you want the rest. > > Cheers > > -- > Neal >

> Presumably Lelia Zillwood is one of your great-aunts. > > The cutting isn't in wonderful condition -- basically my Dad has cut > out just the theatre title and the program details and stuck them > straight in the cutting book. I'm more than happy to scan what there > is for you and send it to you - just let me know. I don't know > whether I have anything more about this production in any of his > stuff, but obviously if I find anything I'll let you know. > > There's no date associated with the cutting, but from my Dad's > records I can date it to the week of October 27th 1913. It seems to > have been one date on a tour of this play, starting on July 28th, and > finishing Dec 1st. I can provide you with a full list of venues if > you like. > > Anyway, let me know what information you'd like. Thanks Neal! I would appreciate a scan of whatever you have. Lelia was actually Mabel Olga (no wonder she preferred Lelia) and spent the war (WWII) years in German Occupied Jersey. I have a copy of a newspaper article with her picture after the war. Thanks again for the info. I, unfortunately, have no recollection of meeting any of my Great Aunt actresses. Regards. John Zillwood john@zillwood.com Communications Officer Abbotsford Genealogical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~bcags/

Hello again John, Well, there might not have been any Zillwoods in the Who's Who, but you never know when you're going to stumble across something interesting. I happened to be flicking idly through my Dad's cuttings book this morning when an old program leapt out at me: at the Elephant & Castle theatre, "Chas Barnard presents Arthur Hinton and Lelia Zillwood's Co. in an entirely new and original drama entitled Slaves of Vice, by Dennis Clyde ... a terrible warning to sweethearts, wives, and mothers". Presumably Lelia Zillwood is one of your great-aunts. The cutting isn't in wonderful condition -- basically my Dad has cut out just the theatre title and the program details and stuck them straight in the cutting book. I'm more than happy to scan what there is for you and send it to you - just let me know. I don't know whether I have anything more about this production in any of his stuff, but obviously if I find anything I'll let you know. There's no date associated with the cutting, but from my Dad's records I can date it to the week of October 27th 1913. It seems to have been one date on a tour of this play, starting on July 28th, and finishing Dec 1st. I can provide you with a full list of venues if you like. Anyway, let me know what information you'd like. All the best -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Zillwood" <john@zillwood.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 9:49 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hi Neal, > > I had four Great Aunts that were in the Musichall probably from late 1800s > to the 1940s. Could you see if there is any mention of ZILLWOOD? Also my > Great Aunt Lydia Zillwood married a Walter HAVERS who, supposedly, was the > manager of Drury Lane. And one more if I could for my cousin. His > Grandfather was a playwright Francis Beard BARKER but wrote under the name > of Beard Francis. One play, for which I have seen an advertisement was "How > Like a Man" He was said to chum with GBS. > > TIA for any help. > > John Zillwood john@zillwood.com > Communications Officer > Abbotsford Genealogical Society > http://www.rootsweb.com/~bcags/ > >

Sorry, Neal I'm not the one who asked about Edna May. Regards. Louise ----- Original Message ----- From: "Neal Dench" <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 12:59 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Re: Lookup > Hi Louise, > > Here's the entry for Edna MAY: > > May, Edna (Pettie), actress and vocalist; b. Syracuse, New York, 2 Sept > 1878; m. Oscar Lewisjohn; made her first appearance on any stage at her > native town of Syracuse, in the Spring of 1883, as Little Willie Allen in > "Dora"; in 1885 appeared in Syracuse in children's opera company in "HMS > Pinafore" and as Mabel in "The Pirates of Penzance"; studied music at the > New York Conservatoire, made her first appearance on the New York stage at > Hammerstein's, 14 Sept 1896, as Clairette in "Santa Maria", under her own > name of Edna May Pettie; at Hoyt's Theatre, 4 Jan 1897, she appeared as > Calliope Ayre in "A Contented Woman" and was then engaged at the New York > Casino by George W Lederer; she appeaered there on 25 May 1897 in a small > part in "The Whirl of the Town" and was then selected to play the part of > Violet Gray in "The Belle of New York", first produced on 28 Sept 1897; she > made her first appearance on the London stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre, 12 > Apr 1898, in the same part; at the Shaftesbury Theatre, 25 Apr 1900, she > played Gabrielle Dalmonte in "An American Beauty"; she then returned to the > United States; at the Herals Square Theatre, New York, 7 Jan 1901, she > played Olga in "The Girl From Up There" and reappeared in London at the Duke > Of York's, 23 Apr 1901, in the same part; in Sept 1901 she joined George > Edwarded at the Apollo, playing the Baroness de Trégue in "Kitty Grey", and > afterwards Edna Branscombe in "Three Little Maids"; she was next seen at the > Prince Of Wales's, 9 May 1903, as Lillian Leigh in "The School Girl", and > appeared in the same part at Daly's Theatre, New York, 1 Sept 1904, > afterwards touring in the piece; at the Prince Of Wales's, during 1904, she > played Alesia in a revival of La Poupée", at Daly's, New York, 28 Aug 1905, > she played Angela Crystal in "The Catch of the Season"; she reappeared in > London at the Vaudeville Theatre, 11 Apr 1906, as Julia Chaldicott in "The > Belle of Mayfair"; her sudden resignation of the part, in Sept, caused a > newspaper sensation; at the Aldwych Theatre, 10 Jan 1907, appeared as Nelly > Neil in the play of that name; this proved to be her last professional > engagement, as shortly afterwards she was married and quitted the stage; she > appeared at the Savoy Theatre, in Feb 1911, for one week, in her old part in > "The Belle of New York", in a series of performances given in aid of the > Prince Francis of Teck Memorial Fund. Address: Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly, W1 > > All the best > > -- > Neal > ----- Original Message ----- > From: CoakleyL@aol.com > To: ndench@tinyworld.co.uk > Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 2:49 AM > Subject: Lookup > > > Hi Neal, > > Many thanks for your offer of a lookup in the 1930 Who's Who. > > Would you mind looking up Edna May PETTIE (known as Edna MAY), or she may > be under her married name of LEWISOHN...? > > I feel a bit greedy asking, as I've been very lucky in that I've > previously received a lookup from the 1947 edition, but I was hoping the > content might be a little different 17 years earlier, when she was still > alive. Edna was born in 1878 New York, and I think she died about 1938. > > Kind regards, Louise > Melbourne, Australia >

Hi Carole Thanks for the information - all grist to the mill. -- Best regards, Peter McNulty peter@sparshott.org.uk www.sparshott.org.uk Researching: SPARSHOTT families world-wide WICKHAM in north Kent. EDGARD - any time, any place, anywhere. GREENWELL - north east England. LONGHURST (Isaac) - Coldharbour, SRY ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carole Cumber" <cdcumber@sprint.ca> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 1:31 AM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Requests for look-ups > Hello Peter, > Saw the request for information on Dan LENO and decided to check in my copy > of "The Melodies Linger On",no less than 20 odd references to this Genius of > the Music Halls.

Hi Brian No birthdate given for this entry sadly, but here's a few bits of the entry to see if that helps identify her: WATSON, Margaret, actress; d. of J Boles-Watson and his wife Madge (Johnstone); e. Dundee; m. W. Wallace Aston; has been on the stage since early childhood, her parents being well-known provincial actors; played a number of juvenile parts before going to school; after completing her education, toured for several years in the provinces, and for two years played the Empress Josephine in "A Royal Divorce"; in 1907, toured with Mrs Patrick Campbell, playing "seconds" in "The Second Mrs Tanqueray", "The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith", "Magda", "Hedda Gabler", "Electra", and "The Flower of Yamato"; ... It goes on, but I guess that's enough to establish some background and give a rough guide as to her age. Let me know if you want the rest. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "The Walkers" <marbri@chariot.net.au> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 12:01 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Madam Rolls/Rowles > Hi Neal, > > Thank you very much for the information. I would be interested in the > information on Margaret Watson, perhaps an age or birth date to start with, > to see if it is another member of the family. > > With thanks, Brian > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Neal Dench <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> > To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 4:26 PM > Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Madam Rolls/Rowles > > > > Hi Brian > > > > Nothing in the 1930 Who's Who I'm afraid, for either ROLLS or WATSON. > There > > are several WATSONs listed, but the only one that comes close is a > Margaret > > WATSON, who was an actress in the early C20th. > > > > -- > > Neal > > > >

Sorry Pat, yes I do remember you asking me before and I'd forgotten to get back to you. No, nothing on Fred Hastings I'm afraid. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat" <irvnyman@csolve.net> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 9:46 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > IF your book has anything on Fred Hastings I would appreciate knowing. I > think I have made a similar request to you before. Thank you. Pat, > Ontario. >

Hi Neal, Thank you very much for the information. I would be interested in the information on Margaret Watson, perhaps an age or birth date to start with, to see if it is another member of the family. With thanks, Brian ----- Original Message ----- From: Neal Dench <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 4:26 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Madam Rolls/Rowles > Hi Brian > > Nothing in the 1930 Who's Who I'm afraid, for either ROLLS or WATSON. There > are several WATSONs listed, but the only one that comes close is a Margaret > WATSON, who was an actress in the early C20th. > > -- > Neal >

Hello Peter, Saw the request for information on Dan LENO and decided to check in my copy of "The Melodies Linger On",no less than 20 odd references to this Genius of the Music Halls. This is what I have so far- "Dan Leno,King of Music Hall,son of Mr and Mrs Johnny Wilde,born December 31st 1860 real name George Wild Galvin.Leon Victor was his agent. Herbert Campbell was his partner in pantomines at Drury Lane theatre,also appeared at the Pavilion,Palace,Empire and the Alhambria,London,where he along with Bessie Bellwood,Marie Lloyd and many others appeared at a retirement matinee for Charles Morton in 1890" there is also a picture of him in his role as Sister Ann. Carole in Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter McNulty" <peter@sparshott.org.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 12:30 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Requests for look-ups > Hi Neal > > I'm still on the lookout for anything related to Dan Leno. > > If you have time please check. > > Thanks in anticipation. > > -- > > Best regards, > > Peter McNulty > peter@sparshott.org.uk > www.sparshott.org.uk > > Researching: > SPARSHOTT families world-wide > WICKHAM in north Kent. > EDGARD - any time, any place, anywhere. > GREENWELL - north east England. > LONGHURST (Isaac) - Coldharbour, SRY > & Dan LENO for a friend. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Neal Dench" <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> > To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 5:39 AM > Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Requests for look-ups > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > Just a general message to say that, with all the activity in the last > couple > > of days, things have been a bit hectic. I _think_ I've now replied to > > everyone that asked me to look up some information, so if you were > expecting > > a reply from me and haven't heard yet, feel free to give me a prod, > because > > you might have slipped through the net. And, of course, new requests are > > always welcome too. > > > > Cheers > > > > -- > > Neal > > > >