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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: christay on Monday 08 December 25 06:53 GMT (UK)

Title: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: christay on Monday 08 December 25 06:53 GMT (UK)

Hi All
My great grandfather John Thomas Smith as the story goes liked to "tread the boards" so we were hoping to find information if possible on him performing in any local theatres. We do know on the 1901 census he was 31 he was living in All Saints Parish, St Cuthberts. In 1911 Census he was living in Gibson Street, Newcastle. Live in Australia can anyone help us or point us in the right direction. Haven't found anything on Ancestry etc Many thanks Christine

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: AntonyMMM on Monday 08 December 25 09:56 GMT (UK)

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/theatre-collection/

https://britishmusichallsociety.com/

https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/about/performance-calendar-database/

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: Zaphod99 on Monday 08 December 25 10:14 GMT (UK)

There was a trade magazine at the time, called The Era, and I am pretty sure that it is available through the British Newspapers.  It was used by agents, performers, venues etc to make contact with business associates.

Zaph

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: christay on Monday 08 December 25 11:04 GMT (UK)

Thank you both for these tips we will follow up on them and see how we go.

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: heywood on Monday 08 December 25 11:22 GMT (UK)

Is this John in 1911 – married to Alice?
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWMZ-82T?lang=en

His occupation is a labourer and he seems to be that in 1921.
Was he perhaps involved in amateur theatre?
Perhaps local newspapers may have a mention of him.

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: hanes teulu on Monday 08 December 25 12:13 GMT (UK)

I settled on John married to Alice in 1901 and 1911.
Chasing Newcastle newspapers for John Smith, John Thomas, Thomas Smith, John T Smith or John Thomas Smith with a theatre connection and assuming I'm not looking for a Burton or a Gielgud.
Closest to date is a 1905 report of John Smith, scene shifter, falling off the stage and breaking his neck. The date rules him out given the 1911 Census.

Title: Re: Looking for any information on theatre performances late 1800 to early 1900
Post by: ptdrifter on Monday 08 December 25 22:13 GMT (UK)

You might also like to try The Stage magazine. I found a lot of information about a friend's grandfather in it.