Dick Whittington - Gillian Haywood-Widdowson Publicity Photographs, 1948/1949
Title
Dick Whittington - Gillian Haywood-Widdowson Publicity Photographs, 1948/1949
Date
1948/1949
Description
Publicity photographs of Gillian Haywood-Widdowson, a local dancer who performed in Dick Whittington, the Theatre Royal Panto for 1948.
What's the story?
Gillian Haywood-Widdowson was born in Manthorpe in Lincolnshire in 1933 and moved to Nottingham aged 2, living in Sneinton Dale.
As a child she contracted rheumatic fever and following advice from doctors her mother enrolled her in dancing classes to try and prevent further problems with her joints.
As a teenager she started dancing professionally and performed in Pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, most notably Dick Whittington in 1948, Jack and the Beanstalk in 1949 and Red Riding Hood in 1950.
For these shows Gillian was one of the star performers for Kirby’s Flying Ballet, which performed spectacular aerial routines.
Gillian continued to dance well into her 40s, performing cabaret work, as well as her second career of designing and making bridal veils.
She still lives in Sneinton.
These pictures were taken during her time in Dick Whittington and were taken taken in 1948/1949.
As a child she contracted rheumatic fever and following advice from doctors her mother enrolled her in dancing classes to try and prevent further problems with her joints.
As a teenager she started dancing professionally and performed in Pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, most notably Dick Whittington in 1948, Jack and the Beanstalk in 1949 and Red Riding Hood in 1950.
For these shows Gillian was one of the star performers for Kirby’s Flying Ballet, which performed spectacular aerial routines.
Gillian continued to dance well into her 40s, performing cabaret work, as well as her second career of designing and making bridal veils.
She still lives in Sneinton.
These pictures were taken during her time in Dick Whittington and were taken taken in 1948/1949.
Type
Photographs
Location of item
Private Collection: Gillian Haywood- Widdowson
Rights
Private Collection: Gillian Haywood- Widdowson
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
