Julia Neilson - Postcard, 1912
Title
Julia Neilson - Postcard, 1912
Date
16 September 1912
Description
Promotional postcard of Julia Neilson, star of 1912 touring production of Sweet Nell of Old Drury.
What's the story?
Julia Neilson performed as Nell Gwyn in Sweet Nell of Old Drury, which ran at the Theatre Royal from 16 to 21 September 1912.
Sweet Nell of Old Drury is a 1900 play by American writer Paul Kester based on the relationship between Nell Gwyn and Charles II in the eighteenth century.
Julia Neilson and Fred Terry who played Nell Gwynne and Charles II respectively in this production were a married couple, who went into management together producing Sweet Nell of Old Drury at the Haymarket Theatre in London in 1900. They continued to produce plays and perform together in London and on national tours up until the 1930s.
This postcard forms part of a large scrapbook collection donated to the Theatre Royal archive by Diane Meadwell from Sandiacre. Her great grandfather was Bernard Hill, the former landlord of The Sun Inn on Parliament Street and who later became the Stage Door Keeper at the Theatre Royal. Bernard’s daughter Edith also worked at the Theatre Royal as an usherette.
Whilst in his stage door job, Bernard collected a large number of postcards of the numerous artists who performed at the venue, many of which he got them to autograph, as well as writing the date and if necessary the show on the reverse, making the future archivist’s job that little bit easier. We have then been able to cross-reference this information with the list of Theatre Royal shows being compiled by volunteer researcher Lynn Whitley.
We are grateful to Diane for sharing her family memories with us and for donating such a valuable resource to the archive.
Sweet Nell of Old Drury is a 1900 play by American writer Paul Kester based on the relationship between Nell Gwyn and Charles II in the eighteenth century.
Julia Neilson and Fred Terry who played Nell Gwynne and Charles II respectively in this production were a married couple, who went into management together producing Sweet Nell of Old Drury at the Haymarket Theatre in London in 1900. They continued to produce plays and perform together in London and on national tours up until the 1930s.
This postcard forms part of a large scrapbook collection donated to the Theatre Royal archive by Diane Meadwell from Sandiacre. Her great grandfather was Bernard Hill, the former landlord of The Sun Inn on Parliament Street and who later became the Stage Door Keeper at the Theatre Royal. Bernard’s daughter Edith also worked at the Theatre Royal as an usherette.
Whilst in his stage door job, Bernard collected a large number of postcards of the numerous artists who performed at the venue, many of which he got them to autograph, as well as writing the date and if necessary the show on the reverse, making the future archivist’s job that little bit easier. We have then been able to cross-reference this information with the list of Theatre Royal shows being compiled by volunteer researcher Lynn Whitley.
We are grateful to Diane for sharing her family memories with us and for donating such a valuable resource to the archive.
Type
Postcard
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Researchers: David Longford / Lynn Whitley
