Florence Smithson - Postcard, 1912
Title
Florence Smithson - Postcard, 1912
Date
13 May 1912
Description
Promotional postcard of Florence Smithson as O Hana San in 1912 touring production of The Mousme.
What's the story?
Florence Smithson performed the role of O Hana San in the musical play The Mouseme at the Theatre Royal from 13 May 1912.
The Mousmé is by Alexander Mattock Thompson and Robert Courtneidge, lyrics by Arthur Wimperis and Percy Greenbank and music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot . The show opened in London in September 1911, with Smithson in the original cast and she continued her role in the subsequent tour the following year.
Leicester born, Florence Smithson made her first appearance on the London stage in 1905 and became a notable theatre performer, particular noted for her exceptional soprano singing voice.
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.
The Mousmé is by Alexander Mattock Thompson and Robert Courtneidge, lyrics by Arthur Wimperis and Percy Greenbank and music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot . The show opened in London in September 1911, with Smithson in the original cast and she continued her role in the subsequent tour the following year.
Leicester born, Florence Smithson made her first appearance on the London stage in 1905 and became a notable theatre performer, particular noted for her exceptional soprano singing voice.
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
