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