Alice Lloyd – The Tatler – Wednesday 16th September 1908
£500 A WEEK – AND WORTH IT,
MISS ALICE LLOYD
Who is now on her way to New York to appear at the New York Theatre, Broadway, at a salary of £500 a week, reputed to be the largest ever paid an English music-hall artiste in musical comedy. The contract is for forty-two weeks a year for two years – a record contract for either England or America. Miss Lloyd is to appear in a musical comedy, specially written for her, entitled “The Bonnie Belle of Scotland.”
The Tatler – Wednesday 16th September 1908
Due to an error in communication Alice Lloyd was booked to perform in America, the agent had sent a cable saying that he could “Send Lloyd by next steamer” she was booked for the Colonial Theatre on New York’s Broadway at 63rd Street, bills were prepared announcing Marie’s first American visit, an error as she had already performed in America in 1890, 1894 and 1897. Before the bills had been put up Alice cabled from Liverpool, announcing that she was about to set sail, signing herself Alice Lloyd. Realising their error the bills were destroyed and another star booked. When she went to the Colonial Theatre to rehearse she had been placed as a fifth turn and her time on the programme limited to fifteen minutes. By the time she had reached her third song the audience were on their feet. Encore followed encore and she wasn’t allowed to leave the stage and her fifteen minutes became forty-five. The day after her triumph she was placed top of the bill with her name up in lights outside the theatre. The following day her salary increased from $300 (£60) to $1,500 (£300) a week. Her stay in America was extended to three months. Before returning to England, she signed a five-year contract starting in March 1908, she was to work forty weeks a year in the United States at a salary of $2,000 (£400) a week. Alice expected to make a total of £75,000. With the exception of Harry Lauder, she became the most successful British artist of her day in America.
Barker, R.A. (1990) “Marie Lloyd, Queen of the Music-Halls, Chivers Press, Bath (p163 – 165)
Autumn Fashion Section – The Tatler – Wednesday 3rd October 1928
“Hands Across the Ages” is the name of this lovely wedding dress, for it is to the medieval period that Marshall and Snelgrove have gone for inspiration for its fashioning. The underskirt, or petticoat is of gold lame; the dress proper with its long sleeves is of gold and white lame, which is as supple as the petal of a rose. The veil was made by Russian slaves during the seventeenth century, while the flowers were supplied by the Mayfair Flower Workers.
Photograph by Peter North
The Tatler – Wednesday 3rd October 1928
Gaby Deslys – The Tatler – Wednesday 12th October 1921
A PATHETIC MEMORY
THE LATE MLLE. GABY DESLYS AND MR. HARRY PILCER IN HER LAST FILM,
WHICH HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED
Taken at Deauville at the time when the last film, “The God of Luck,” in which poor Gaby appeared, was being made. This film will be produced in London on October 16. It is stated that at the time when this story was being filmed Gaby Deslys had a presentiment that it would be her last bit of work, and at her instigation the happy ending was altered. In the story the heroine has to write a letter to the man she loves saying that she cannot marry him, “because a greater power is claiming me”
The Tatler – Wednesday 12th October 1921
Vesta Tilley – 1896 – 1919
Matilda Alice Powles (13 May 1864 – 16 September 1952) was an English music hall performer. She adopted the stage name Vesta Tilley and became one of the best-known male impersonators of her era. Her career lasted from 1869 until 1920. Starting in provincial theatres with her father as manager, she performed her first season in London in 1874. She typically performed as a dandy or fop, also playing other roles. She found additional success as a principal boy in pantomime.
By the 1890s, Tilley was England’s highest earning woman. She was also a star in the vaudeville circuit in the United States, touring a total of six times. She married Walter de Frece, a theatre impresario who became her new manager and songwriter. At a Royal Command Performance in 1912, she scandalised Queen Mary because she was wearing trousers. During the First World War she was known as “England’s greatest recruiting sergeant” since she sang patriotic songs dressed in khaki fatigues like a soldier and promoted enlistment drives.
Becoming Lady de Frece in 1919, she decided to retire and made a year-long farewell tour from which all profits went to children’s hospitals. Her last performance was in 1920 at the Coliseum Theatre, London. She then supported her husband when he became a Member of Parliament and later retired with him to Monte Carlo. She died in 1952 on a visit to London and is buried at Putney Vale Cemetery. Her life story was commemorated in the 1957 film After the Ball.
Evelyn Laye – The Shop Girl – 1920
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My wife, bless her tells me that I am rapidly becoming, or perhaps that should read have become a “Grumpy old fart”, so what better forum to spread my doom, gloom and paranoia than WordPress. I also have a love of old pictures, postcards and Edwardian Actresses, in particular Miss Gabrielle Ray which I hope to share at regular intervals. As my collection has grown I have set up another blog which contains only pictures of Miss Ray. Gabrielle Ray Thank you for viewing and comments are welcome.
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Grumpy old fart!!! 