Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 2 May 2009

A random selection of clippings
from newspapers and magazines

Bessie Featherstone's sudden death, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1 January 1907

Bessie Featherstone in the title role of the pantomime
Aladdin, Tyne Theatre, Newcastle, Christmas, 1906

(photo: unknown, UK, 1906)

'PANTOMIME LOSS. 'Sad Death of Miss Bessie Featherstone. 'Regret is widespread in theatrical circles at the death, after four days' illness, of a clever burlesque actress, Miss Bessie Featherstone. She died at Newcastle, where she had been nightly capturing all hearts in Aladdin at the Tyne Theatre. 'Miss Featherstone died of typhoid on Tuesday, and on the stage that evening everyone was in mourning, from Harry Lauder, the principal comedian, who plays the part of ''The Wandering Scot,'' down to the call-boy. Miss Featherstone was the friend of all of them. 'After the long rehearsals necessary for such a big production, Miss Featherstone found herself suffering from strain, and she was not surprised when, after having played the name part for two nights, she fell ill and had to resign her part to her understudy. 'Then came a shock which made her condition still more serious. On the same day she heard of her husband's death. 'She gradually grew weaker, and soon one of the most popular pantomime artists in the country passed away. She had made a tremendous success last year at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, in the same part, and for years she has been playing leads in the pantomimes produced in different big towns by Messrs. Howard and Wyndham.' (Weekly Dispatch, London, Sunday, 6 January 1907, p. 11d) * * * * * * * * Ellen Terry smiles, London, 1910

Ellen Terry (1847-1928), English actress

(photo: Window & Grove, London, circa 1905)

'Ellen Terry has scored another triumph in London. On the opening night of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's production of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, in which Miss Terry appeared. Sir Herbert, in addressing the enthusiastic audience, paid Miss terry a very pretty compliment in the words, ''I am glad to see you find this comedy, like Miss Terry, has not lost its charm.'' To cries of ''We want Ellen! Speech from Ellen!'' Miss Terry responded with a smile. An admirable characteristic of London - and for that matter of English - audiences is a constant loyalty to stage favourites.' (The New York Dramatic Mirror, New York, Saturday, 9 April 1910, p. 2c) * * * * * * * * Irene Franklin at the Alhambra, New York, week beginning Monday, 4 April 1910

Irene Franklin (1876-1941), American comedienne and vocalist

(photo: unknown, USA, circa 1908)

'The big drawing card was, of course, Irene Franklin. This house is one of Miss Franklin's strongholds, and no matter how unimportant the supporting bill the attendance is always sure to be heavy. No departure was made in the repertoire, the hit of which was the haunting little bit of pathos, ''I'm a Bringing up the Family.'' she was encored repeatedly, but only offered the ''Waitress'' number, notwithstanding howls for ''Red Head.''' (The New York Dramatic Mirror, New York, Saturday, 16 April 1910, p. 22a/b) * * * * * * * *

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© John Culme, 2009