Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 17 August 2002

A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines

* * * * * * * * The Sisters Claremont, burlesque duettists and dancers, London, 1874 Gatti’s music hall ‘The Sisters Claremont are also deservedly in high favour, and as burlesque duettists and dancers they have few, if any, superiors on the Music Hall stage. Their sketch when we were present appeared to be founded on the famous "Alonzo the Brave and the Fair Imogene." Their dresses were simply superb, and they displayed no small histrionic and musical skill. Their changes were remarkably rapid, and we shall be haunted for a considerable time by the ghost of the much-wronged Alonzo, which put in an extraordinary appearance; the growth of the brave Knight, after his decease having been of the most remarkable character. The Knight and his lady finally become transformed into Harlequin and Columbine, and, of course, give us a specimen of their salutatory ability, and the ladies, having convinced us of their talent, retire amid the most demonstrative of cheers.’ (The Era, London, Sunday, 23 August 1874, p.4a) * * * * * * * * The Sisters Leamar, London, 1883 (Kate, d.1893; Nellie, d.1938)

(photo: Martin & Sallnow, London, circa 1883)

Royal music hall, London ‘The Sisters Leamar are very successful everywhere, and more especially at this hall. Their duets are most tuneful, and are well rendered, while the good presence in which these ladies may be said to rejoice materially assists their vocal essays.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 3 February 1883, p.11a) Middlesex music hall, London ‘The Sisters Leamar are just now fulfilling an engagement at the Middlesex, and their presence succeeds in attracting to the hall many members of the "mashing" fraternity. These young ladies have pleasant voices and pretty faces, added to which they have a genial method, which never fails to make a good impression. They are equal favourites with those youths who are armed with unyielding, stick-up collars, and those who do not affect this linen decoration, and they deserve success.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 19 May 1883, p.6b) South London music hall ‘The sisters Leamar, whose smiling faces are always welcome, are in good demand here, as are they at the other halls where they manifest themselves. Their duets the other night were "What would you say to your mother" "The Masher’s mad career," and "What about that?" all of which were rendered with that piquancy which characterises all the performances of this prosperous couple.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 26 May 1883, p.11a) South London music hall ‘Miss Kate Leamar, having lost the companionship of her sister, has decided to work alone. With "My Love Joe," the familiar "Did You Ever," and "I Could not Live Alone," the latest additions to the ranks of serio-comic ladies achieves a great success. Miss Leamar is not backward in dancing, her execution of a hornpipe causes rare delight.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 23 June 1883, p.6b)

(advertisement, The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 6 January 1883, p.1c)

* * * * * * * * The Sisters Weston, "Kiss me, Susey," London, 1874 The Cambridge music hall. ‘The Sisters Weston, who have been newly introduced to the notice of the visitors to this Hall, seemed to be much liked. Their style of singing, dancing, and posturing is pleasing, and is characterised by ease, exactness, and elegance. The young lady who represents the jockey-like youth in their duets is a most excellent artiste, and her companion is very captivating and talented. They sang of each other being like "A sugar plum" and "Kiss me, Susey".’ (The Era, London, Sunday, 30 August 1874, p.4a) * * * * * * * * Oscar Wilde an actor? 1883 ‘Mr. Oscar Wilde, it is said, will make a venture as an actor. Nobody seriously imagines that he can act, but for all that, he would make a great success on the stage. People nowadays do not run after merit as much as they wish to see the odd and curious.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 10 March 1883, p.11a) * * * * * * * * Mdlle. Rosa’s Dancing Dolls Troupe, London, 1883

(photo: unknown, perhaps London, circa 1883)

Her Majesty’s Theatre ‘The Pandora Company, Limited, started upon its public career at this house (pending the completion of the theatre in Leicester Square) on Saturday last [30 December 1882]. The piece unhappily selected to inaugurate the enterprise is an extravaganza in two acts, called the Yellow Dwarf [by Robert Reece and Alfred Thompson], but beyond the fact of it being so-called and the occasional appearance upon the stage of a yellow dwarf, there is little if anything in its concoction to connect it with the old and well-known story bearing the same title… The only satisfactory features of the evening were the graceful boundings of Œnea, the Flying Fairy; Mdlle. Rosa’s Dancing Dolls, an exceedingly grotesque and clever performance; and the exhibition of Mr. Lockhart’s wonderfully trained elephants. The effect of the well-arranged ballets was, unfortunately, marred by the uncertainty of the band; the dresses, however, are extremely beautiful, and the première danseuse, Mdlle. Pertholdi, of Alhambra fame, met with a very cordial reception. The curtain finally descended about midnight, after a performance which had lasted over four hours, to loud expressions of dissatisfaction…’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 6 January 1883, p.11a) The Oxford music hall, London ‘The company that commenced service here at Easter includes several prominent favourites and a novel entertainment, entitled, Dollytoyiana, by Mr. Paul Valentine. The scene which ushers in the ragout might aptly be called Lowther Arcade, for it is made up of those factors which appeal more particularly to young folks; in fact, it is a doll’s-house, in which a dozen or more lively young ladies and some mechanical toys strive for supremacy. It need scarcely be said that flesh and blood gain a victory, though this is not achieved without hard fighting. Singing and dancing are incidentals of this concoction, and during its performance the stage appears to be fully and prettily furnished. Another doll feature is included in the present programme at the Oxford, for Mdlle. Rosa, with her two sisters and her agile brother, tender their Doll Quadrille, which has won for them good repute, and which is in high favour at this establishment. It need scarcely be said that every justice is done to this item by these four skilful performers.’ (The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 7 April 1883, p.11a) * * * * * * * * A sad Hungarian La Belle Helene, 1873 ‘A performance of La Belle Helene, at Arad, in Hungary, was a few days back interrupted by a melancholy occurrence. The actor charged with a the part of Calchas was seized with cholera while on stage, and, being carried home, expired a few hours later.’ (The Era, London, Sunday, 21 September 1873, p.12c)

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© John Culme, 2002