Page from Theatre Digs Visitors' Book , 1942

Page from Theatre Digs Visitors' Book , 1942

1942

This is a page from the Vistors' Book kept by Mr and Mrs Waplington in their lodgings at 5 Dryden Street, Nottingham.

From the 1930s Mr and Mrs Waplington ran a theatre lodgings at No. 5 Dryden Street Nottingham for many of the performers who played at the Theatre Royal Nottingham. Here is a page of the book, which contains entries written by performers who visited the Theatre Royal during the Second World War. With a warm welcome, a generous meal and a good night’s sleep these quotes highlight how important it is for the theatrical landlady to provide a real home from home for the busy touring actor.

The entries here read as follows:

Grand digs. I could not wish for better.
You have made me very comfortable
and if I should return to Nottingham
I hope you will have a room for me.
Best of luck
Christopher [Birch]
Lyric Players
Repertory Theatre


Theatre Royal

Very comfortable. Many thanks
Leslie Beaufort
July 26th 1942

Very many thanks for an exceedingly
comfortable two weeks. In these days
it is indeed delightful to find rooms
equal in every way to the best we had
in the [old/real] days of the theatre – before the
first world war played havoc with
everything. The standard of rooms then was
very high – Mrs Waplington easily keeps
up with it. I shall certainly hope to
return here again.

Douglas H Thompson
Aug. 9/42 Theatre Royal

Thanks very much for a most
comfortable week – everything
excellent. Shall always look
forward to a return.

Sam Lockridge
“A Waltz Dream” Aug - 42

Manuscript book

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall

Researcher: Jo Robinson
Transcribers: David Chilton and Charlotte White