Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 12 October 2002
A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines
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Clara Rousby in Camille, |
Clara and Wybert Rousby
(photo: The London Stereoscopic & Photographic Co Ltd, London, circa 1870)
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‘Conceive, ye pitiable beings who have not yet seen the original of our description, an actress possessing a charming presence - a fascinating manner - a voice clear, sweet, and resonant as marriage bells - wondrous power of pouring forth silvery peals of refreshingly natural laughter, and a graceful and unaffected style of acting - then you will have some idea of Mrs Rousby.’ * * * * * * * * Miss Emily and Master Harry Grattan, London, 1876
‘Miss Emily and Master Harry Grattan, the little folks who were so favourably received as Hendrick and Meeni, the two children in Rip Van Winkle [starring Joseph Jefferson], at the Princess’s Theatre [Oxford Street, 1 November 1875], and who are honoured by Lady Portsmouth with an invitation to spend some time at Eggsford House, are engaged by Mr. [F.B.] Chatterton for the Drury-lane and Adelphi Theatres, and will appear at the latter this (Saturday) evening in an original petite drama entitled Orson, expressly written for them [by their father, the actor and dramatic author H.P. Grattan].’ * * * * * * * * Harry Fragson at the Tivoli music hall, London, 1908 |
Harry Fragson
(photo: W. Davey, Islington, London, circa 1906)
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‘There are as many "comedians" in the Tivoli bill as there are days in the week, besides a comedy duo and two comediennes [Victoria Monks and Happy Fanny Fields]; and the whole programme is constructed on the principle that the best way to put people in a good humour is to make them laugh. And they do laugh, especially at old friends like the imperturbable Fragson. The "entente cordiale comedian" was received with great enthusiasm on his reappearance this week with a stock of new songs. The familiar piano and the immaculate shirt-front and its wearer excited the usual storm of joyful anticipation, and only the claims of time and the intervention of the conductor of the band prevented the popular idol from responding for a fifth time to the applause of his admirers. First he sang of "Lame Love," a not very brilliant account of a lady who when she wished to provoke pity was wont to counterfeit lameness by placing her wedding-ring in her shoe - at Fragson’s expense. Then he told of his visit to the employment agency and his fruitless efforts to get work, because of the number of aliens with which the labour market is crowded; and, in his third song (with valse refrain), warned the more confiding section of the audience of the little faith that is to be placed in masculine protestations of the tender passion. And still they asked for more, and were rewarded with a ditty (in polka time) setting forth the generosity and patriotism and other virtues of Mr. William Brown of London, by way of compensation for the excessive adulation of Scotch and Irish heroes to which music-hall audiences are commonly treated. Lastly, for fear that they should think too highly of themselves, they were put in their proper places by a mirth-provoking sketch of an Englishman singing a French song "phleg-ma-ti-que-ment" and with an atrocious accent. The Tivoli audience thoroughly enjoy their Fragson. They like his weird grimaces and the extraordinary vigour which he puts into his work, and the hesitating and yet decided air with which he takes an encore. They revel in his crisp and never-ending succession of breathless rhymes, and when he sings "Vive Fallières, vive l’Angleterre, vive pomme-de-terre" they feel that the entente cordialle is founded on a rock. Fragson’s clever performance divides the chief honours with the absurdities of Mr. George Robey, the limericks of Mr. Wilkie Bard, and the quaint patter and grotesque but rhythmical antics of Little Tich; and the whole entertainment at the Tivoli goes with a decided swing.’ * * * * * * * * Smoking in London theatres, 1914
‘Once again the question in theatres has been brought to the front and this time by Mr. George Edwardes, who has declared his intention of permitting "My Lady Nicotine" to hold sway at the Gaiety. And after all, why shouldn’t it be? Smoking has become an universal habit. Almost as many women smoke as men, especially in society, and if women do not object to the cigarette at the dinner table I do not see why they should object to it in the stalls. * * * * * * * * On the death of Meggie Albanesi, 9 December 1923
‘The untimely death [at the age of 24] of Miss Meggie Albanesi robs the stage of a very promising young actress. I do not go so far in my admiration of Miss Albanesi as some, who rank her as a great actress of the future. She was talented, and she had personality, but there was no evidence of any striking powers that would have enabled her to attack roles of historic importance, either as a comedienne or as a tragic actress. We are, however, so deficient in notable women on the stage that Miss Meggie Albanesi’s premature end is a sad loss, beyond all question.’
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© John Culme, 2002