Hi Joan The 1930 Who's Who's lists a Dorothy BRUNTON, actress and vocalist, born Melbourne Australia, daughter of John BRUNTON, scenic artist, and wife Christine (Neilsen). Any relation? Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: <MCBRIEN7@aol.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:16 PM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] James Brunton > Hello > I am new to this list and am posting my interests. > My GGgrandfather JAMES BRUNTON is recorded on one birth certificate as 'scene > painter and artist' in 1856 and in 1860 as a 'theatrical performer' - he > seemed to follow a circuit between Manchester and Hull,York. The last > sighting of him is on the 1881 census for Manchester aged 59 and living in > Chorlton Union workhouse. I would be gratefull for any sightings. > thank you > Joan McBrien >

Hi John Nothing for Jack Hodges, I'm afraid. Your story of your grandfather, though, is fascinating. I'll certainly let you know if I hear of anything, though the area I'm looking into is slightly later than that (first half of the 20th century, basically). Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Favill" <jfavill@wi.rr.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:02 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hi Neal, > Thank you for the offer so difficult to refuse. My interest in > the British Theatre is purely one of nostalgia of what I can remember. > Recently I have purchased a 'Living Era' CD. One track has Jack > Hodges performing with orchestra, " Everything is Fresh Today". It was > originally recorded in 1933 and the very small write up says it was his best > selling record. He was known as the Raspberry King and to me the discovery > of a piece that was hilariously used by Spike Milligan at times, has been a > delight. But who was Jack Hodges? > Could I ask you to "lookup" Jack Hodges in your 1930 Who's Who and > tell me a little about this very original individual. > Should you ever come across a mention of a concert group "Dr Mark > and his Little Men" I would be delighted to hear. This group toured mostly > England and Scotland from around 1850 to 1867 giving concerts in aid of > their Royal College of Music at Manchester which was their "home". My > grandfather was a member of this boy orchestra and choir of "Little Men" > ages 5 to 16, and although I have found a great deal of information from > "The Era" newspaper for example, I am always searching for more. They gave a > concert for Queen V and Prince A on their wedding aniversary at Buckingham > Palace in 1858 so the group was obviously well known. > > Thank you, > > John Favill, > Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA >

Hi Christine The only female SCOTT is Gertrude SCOTT, I'm afraid. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christine" <christine.shelmerdine@ntlworld.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 10:38 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Re: Lookups - 1930 Who's Who........ > Hello, I wonder if you could look for MAISE SCOTT please. > > I don't seem to be able to find her. > > Cheers, > > Christine

Hi Stan, Sorry, no mention of either Dorothy or Mildred Langley. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stan Langley" <stan.langley@klmatrix.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 8:59 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Re: Lookups - 1930 Who's Who........ > Neal, > Thankyou for your kind offer re lookups. Would very much appreciate > details of any reference to Dorothy Langley and/or Mildred Langley. > > Stan Langley - West Norfolk (U.K.) >

Hi Sue, It definitely mentions authors, so it goes beyond the extent of just actors for certain. How far beyond, I couldn't say. Pam's already mailed you to tell you about the Circus, Theatre and Music Hall site. There's quite a bit of information on there, as well as links to other places on the web that might contain useful stuff. By all means, let me have any names you want me to look up. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue Rowbotham" <sue@rowbos.demon.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Neal > > Thanks for kind offer. Does 'Whos Who' list just pure theatrical people, or > does it cover people in other performing arts? For example I am interested > in magicians/illusionists, circus entertainers and professional singers !!! > An eclectic mix ! > > Many thanks > > Sue Rowbotham

Hi Lillian, Sorry, there's nothing on any of the names you mentioned. I probably should have mentioned in my original mail that the introduction to the book implies that there are only entries for people who were reasonably active on the stage in 1930. (I think the author says that people who have not appeared for 10 years or so have been removed to make space in the book) So I guess your relatives would have appeared just a little too early to make it. Regards -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: <LilianFrs@aol.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:06 PM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hi > I was wondering if anyone could keep an eye open for anything on Bessie > Holland/Ball and and Arthur Ball also a Thomas Holland. These people (my > grand parents and great grand parents would have been appearing between 1850 > and 1910 > > Thank you > Lilian Fraser nee REAVELEY >

No sadly I have never heard of them Lilian

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/

Hello Niel thanks for the information re Dorothy Brunton, I do not know enough at the moment to say if there may be a link, but I have filed the information for future reference. thanks again Joan

Hello, I wonder if you could look for MAISE SCOTT please. I don't seem to be able to find her. Cheers, Christine----- Original Message ----- From: "Stan Langley" <stan.langley@klmatrix.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 8:59 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Re: Lookups - 1930 Who's Who........ > Neal, > Thankyou for your kind offer re lookups. Would very much appreciate > details of any reference to Dorothy Langley and/or Mildred Langley. > > Stan Langley - West Norfolk (U.K.) > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <THEATRE-UK-D-request@rootsweb.com> > To: <THEATRE-UK-D@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 6:04 AM > Subject: THEATRE-UK-D Digest V03 #16 > > > ..................I've just managed to pick up a 1930 edition of Who's Who > in the Theatre (6th > Ed) by John Parker, published by Pitman. I know someone else on the list has > offered to do lookups from another old edition, but different editions of > books like these can vary quite a bit with new and updated information. So > if anyone would like me to do lookups for them, I'm more than happy to -- > just drop me a line....................... > > Neal Dench > >

Neal Thanks for kind offer. Does 'Whos Who' list just pure theatrical people, or does it cover people in other performing arts? For example I am interested in magicians/illusionists, circus entertainers and professional singers !!! An eclectic mix ! Many thanks Sue Rowbotham ----- Original Message ----- From: Neal Dench <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: 17 February 2003 06:05 Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hi everyone, > > It's been a quiet list lately. > > I've just managed to pick up a 1930 edition of Who's Who in the Theatre (6th > Ed) by John Parker, published by Pitman. I know someone else on the list has > offered to do lookups from another old edition, but different editions of > books like these can vary quite a bit with new and updated information. So > if anyone would like me to do lookups for them, I'm more than happy to -- > just drop me a line. > > I have also borrowed, and am busily scanning, a whole bunch of theatrical > pictures from my Mum. As well as including pictures of my own family > (primarily my Dad, but also my Mum and her father), this obviously includes > dozens of pictures of other people in the theatre. Sadly, many are > unidentified at the moment, but I know the names of just as many. > > Once I've finished scanning (there's a lot to go!), I'll catalogue all the > names I have, and I'm happy to pass on photos to anyone that's interested. I > also hope to put up a sort of rogues gallery of unidentified faces on the > web at some point. All this might take a long time, so in the meantime, if > anyone has a relative that they know worked with either Bertram DENCH, > Stella DIXON, or Paul DIXON (or possibly Paul HEATON -- same person, > different stage name), drop me a line. > > All the best everyone > > -- > Neal Dench >

ok thanks... I look forward to hearing from you Lilian

Hello Lilian Thank you for the information.I do not know much about James Brunton except that on the 1881 census he is down as born Hull,York and married Mary Lindley, their children were born in either Manchester or York. The connection with the theatre seems to have continued as one of my uncles was killed when he fell from scaffolding whilst decorating the Palace Theatre Manchester. When I get the opportunity I will look for James' birth on the GRO indexes and maybe the connection could be through his parents. I will keep your email and let you know. thanks Joan McBrien

Neal, Thankyou for your kind offer re lookups. Would very much appreciate details of any reference to Dorothy Langley and/or Mildred Langley. Stan Langley - West Norfolk (U.K.) ----- Original Message ----- From: <THEATRE-UK-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <THEATRE-UK-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 6:04 AM Subject: THEATRE-UK-D Digest V03 #16 ..................I've just managed to pick up a 1930 edition of Who's Who in the Theatre (6th Ed) by John Parker, published by Pitman. I know someone else on the list has offered to do lookups from another old edition, but different editions of books like these can vary quite a bit with new and updated information. So if anyone would like me to do lookups for them, I'm more than happy to -- just drop me a line....................... Neal Dench

To Joan McBrien I was interested inyour letter re Brunton Are your Bruntons related to the Bruntons in Cullercoats Northumberland now Tyne and Wear? The reason I ask is that my last posting to this site was about a Bessie Holland and and Arthur Ball. They were both theatrical performers and were related to the Bruntons and the Brysons of Cullercoats. On a certificate I have seen, one of the fathers is down as a scenic artist. I just have a feeling about this that it may be of some interest to you. Lilian Fraser nee REAVELEY

Hello I am new to this list and am posting my interests. My GGgrandfather JAMES BRUNTON is recorded on one birth certificate as 'scene painter and artist' in 1856 and in 1860 as a 'theatrical performer' - he seemed to follow a circuit between Manchester and Hull,York. The last sighting of him is on the 1881 census for Manchester aged 59 and living in Chorlton Union workhouse. I would be gratefull for any sightings. thank you Joan McBrien

Hi I was wondering if anyone could keep an eye open for anything on Bessie Holland/Ball and and Arthur Ball also a Thomas Holland. These people (my grand parents and great grand parents would have been appearing between 1850 and 1910 Thank you Lilian Fraser nee REAVELEY

Hi everyone, It's been a quiet list lately. I've just managed to pick up a 1930 edition of Who's Who in the Theatre (6th Ed) by John Parker, published by Pitman. I know someone else on the list has offered to do lookups from another old edition, but different editions of books like these can vary quite a bit with new and updated information. So if anyone would like me to do lookups for them, I'm more than happy to -- just drop me a line. I have also borrowed, and am busily scanning, a whole bunch of theatrical pictures from my Mum. As well as including pictures of my own family (primarily my Dad, but also my Mum and her father), this obviously includes dozens of pictures of other people in the theatre. Sadly, many are unidentified at the moment, but I know the names of just as many. Once I've finished scanning (there's a lot to go!), I'll catalogue all the names I have, and I'm happy to pass on photos to anyone that's interested. I also hope to put up a sort of rogues gallery of unidentified faces on the web at some point. All this might take a long time, so in the meantime, if anyone has a relative that they know worked with either Bertram DENCH, Stella DIXON, or Paul DIXON (or possibly Paul HEATON -- same person, different stage name), drop me a line. All the best everyone -- Neal Dench

Hi Neal, Thank you for the offer so difficult to refuse. My interest in the British Theatre is purely one of nostalgia of what I can remember. Recently I have purchased a 'Living Era' CD. One track has Jack Hodges performing with orchestra, " Everything is Fresh Today". It was originally recorded in 1933 and the very small write up says it was his best selling record. He was known as the Raspberry King and to me the discovery of a piece that was hilariously used by Spike Milligan at times, has been a delight. But who was Jack Hodges? Could I ask you to "lookup" Jack Hodges in your 1930 Who's Who and tell me a little about this very original individual. Should you ever come across a mention of a concert group "Dr Mark and his Little Men" I would be delighted to hear. This group toured mostly England and Scotland from around 1850 to 1867 giving concerts in aid of their Royal College of Music at Manchester which was their "home". My grandfather was a member of this boy orchestra and choir of "Little Men" ages 5 to 16, and although I have found a great deal of information from "The Era" newspaper for example, I am always searching for more. They gave a concert for Queen V and Prince A on their wedding aniversary at Buckingham Palace in 1858 so the group was obviously well known. Thank you, John Favill, Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Neal Dench" <ndench@tinyworld.co.uk> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:05 AM Subject: [THEATRE-UK] Lookups > Hi everyone, > > It's been a quiet list lately. > > I've just managed to pick up a 1930 edition of Who's Who in the Theatre (6th > Ed) by John Parker, published by Pitman. I know someone else on the list has > offered to do lookups from another old edition, but different editions of > books like these can vary quite a bit with new and updated information. So > if anyone would like me to do lookups for them, I'm more than happy to -- > just drop me a line. > > I have also borrowed, and am busily scanning, a whole bunch of theatrical > pictures from my Mum. As well as including pictures of my own family > (primarily my Dad, but also my Mum and her father), this obviously includes > dozens of pictures of other people in the theatre. Sadly, many are > unidentified at the moment, but I know the names of just as many. > > Once I've finished scanning (there's a lot to go!), I'll catalogue all the > names I have, and I'm happy to pass on photos to anyone that's interested. I > also hope to put up a sort of rogues gallery of unidentified faces on the > web at some point. All this might take a long time, so in the meantime, if > anyone has a relative that they know worked with either Bertram DENCH, > Stella DIXON, or Paul DIXON (or possibly Paul HEATON -- same person, > different stage name), drop me a line. > > All the best everyone > > -- > Neal Dench >

Hello Dave and Listers, I have been researching the life and career of BB for some time now and am wondering if anyone out there has seen any pictures programs etc;of Bessie. I am told that very few exist!! but thought I would ask again on the list as we may have new members that are not aware of my research,Bessie was my Great Grandmothers sister(my Great Aunt??), thanks, Carole in Canada.