Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 13 December 2003

A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines

Thoughts on the passing of old music halls, London, 1887

Harry Fox (d.1876), English music hall comedian
and for 25 years chairman and manager of the Middlesex Music Hall, Drury Lane, London

(photo: from a caricature by Alfred Bryan)

'The old-fashioned music-hall is being gradually blotted even out of remembrance; in fact, of the small halls of dazzling light that were in existence only fifteen years ago, not one in a hundred to whom one speaks on the subject knows anything about. Speak to the modern man of the Winchester as it was no longer ago than in 1872, and he betrays hopeless ignorance. He knows nothing of the Preeces, father and son; of Tom Norris he "has no recollection;" nor did he ever hear songs sung there when the father of [the composer] Edward Solomon used to tastefully play the accompaniments, and when his fat little hands crawled over the keys like small-sized crabs. 'Even the Mogul [to become known as the Middlesex or, colloquially, 'The Old Mo'] of a Sunday night is a sealed book to the modern habitué of the music-hall. In a very few years there will hardly be any of us left who can remember these orderly Sunday meetings, when Harry Fox, smoking a churchwarden, beamed on those around him, and told his near neighbours of his early experiences in such a subdued tone as to make on think he felt somewhat guilty in discussing matters of this sort on the blessed Sabbath. The Mogul was the pro.'s Sunday vent-peg, for he could repair thither and talk of his triumphs to an appreciative audience, and his troubles to fellow-sufferers. I have never known a "pro." whose songs and business have not been copied by those pickers-up of unconsidered trifles who "sneak" other folks' property; and I have never met a music-hall performer ready to admit that he has made capital out of a piracy. Perhaps this is not to be wondered at. To hear Harry Fox, Billy Randall, William Critchfield, Gus Conolley, and other veterans talk of old times at the Mogul was an experience which is not to be had now.' (The Entr'acte, London, Saturday, 1 October 1887, p.5b) * * * * * * * * King Doo-Dah, the Christmas pantomime, 1900, at the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, London 'Biggest, brightest best, and jolliest pantomime ever produced at "The Brit," is the Hoxtonian verdict upon Mr. Crauford's latest Christmas production, King Doo-Dah. Indeed, the fourteen scenes that are utilised in telling the story are so full of good things that it would be quite impossible to do justice to them in the space at our command. The ever-popular Albert and Edmunds troupe, assisted by Mr. Fred Lawrence and the Montrose Bros., very clever and humorous acrobats, keep the fun at boiling point from start to finish. Mr. H.G. Sharplin made an imposing figure as Cerberus, his magnificent voice delighting the vast audience. Miss Josephine Henley looked a dapper little Prince, and Miss Emmie Ames a charming Princess. Her first song, "Matilda," in which she introduces several mechanical toys with excellent effect, brought down the house. Miss Lily Sharplin's imitations of Marie Collins, Bessie Wentworth, and Billie Barlow, were the best we have seen. The same young lady also fetched the audience with a clever descriptive song, "The Language London Talks." The Imperial Russian Troupe of Singers and Dancers are an innovation in pantomime. Their singing and dancing were so excellent that they scored one of the greatest successes of the evening. Miss Emma Chambers, as a high-class domestic, was quaint and humorous, and Miss Kate Sharplin sang sweetly as Titania. In fact, there was not a mediocre character in the whole show. The flying ballet, concluding with a shower of gold, was really magnificent, as was the grand transformation scene. The pantomime does the greatest credit to the talents of the Britannia's popular stage manager, Mr. Bigwood, and is a distinct score for Mr. Crauford.' (The News of the World, London, Sunday, 30 December 1900, p.4e) * * * * * * * * Elsie Janis's imitations of Sarah Bernhardt, London, 1915

Elsie Janis (1889-1956), American actress, singer and writer

(photo: unknown, probably London, circa 1915)

'Miss Elsie Janis, who has discontinued her imitation of Mme. Sarah Bernhardt out of a sentiment of sympathy, has received from the popular tragedienne, through a mutual friend, a most gracious message thanking the artiste for her consideration, and begging her to continue to "charm the public by imitating me. I shall play in London before going to America, and I will thank her myself.' (The Era, London, Wednesday, 21 April 1915, p.12a) * * * * * * * *

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© John Culme, 2003