Walter Thomas - Postcard, 1914
Title
Walter Thomas - Postcard, 1914
Date
24 August 1914
Description
Promotional postcard of Walter Thomas, appearing in Robert Courtneidge's touring production of Oh! Oh! Delphine in 1914
What's the story?
Walter Thomas performed in Oh! Oh! Delphine, which ran at the Theatre Royal from 24 August 1914.
Based on the French farce Villa Primrose, Oh! Oh! Delphine is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by C.M.S. McLellan and music by Ivan Caryll. The show premiered on Broadway in September 1912, with a London production opening the following year and a UK tour in 1914
The following review for the London production of the show appeared in Lloyds Weekly News on 23 February 1913, pointing out that the show was not too well received by its audience …
“One need not point out that by adapting for the Shaftesbury a Palais Royal story, fitted with the amazingly reminiscent melodies of Mr. Caryll, Mr. Courtneidge has taken away from his original intention to reserve his stage for nice comedy and meritorious music. Of its sort, however, ‘Delphine"’(surely we may drop the ‘Oh! Oh!’) is an elaborate and magnificent example, and everyone who sees it will agree that Mr. Courtneidge has been lavish with matters that appeal pleasantly to the eye. The dresses are remarkably attractive.
‘Oh! Oh! Delphine!’ was not too kindly received, but we have no doubt that the "boos" at the close of the performance were not levelled at the piece as a whole, but were mainly intended to express disapproval of certain unsavoury lines, which Mr. Robert Courtneidge has by now, of course, removed.”
As well as Walter Thomas, other members of the company for this 1914 touring production included Ruby Vyvyan, Doris Vinson, Hilda Guiver, Stafford Moss and Edward Dodds.
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.
Based on the French farce Villa Primrose, Oh! Oh! Delphine is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by C.M.S. McLellan and music by Ivan Caryll. The show premiered on Broadway in September 1912, with a London production opening the following year and a UK tour in 1914
The following review for the London production of the show appeared in Lloyds Weekly News on 23 February 1913, pointing out that the show was not too well received by its audience …
“One need not point out that by adapting for the Shaftesbury a Palais Royal story, fitted with the amazingly reminiscent melodies of Mr. Caryll, Mr. Courtneidge has taken away from his original intention to reserve his stage for nice comedy and meritorious music. Of its sort, however, ‘Delphine"’(surely we may drop the ‘Oh! Oh!’) is an elaborate and magnificent example, and everyone who sees it will agree that Mr. Courtneidge has been lavish with matters that appeal pleasantly to the eye. The dresses are remarkably attractive.
‘Oh! Oh! Delphine!’ was not too kindly received, but we have no doubt that the "boos" at the close of the performance were not levelled at the piece as a whole, but were mainly intended to express disapproval of certain unsavoury lines, which Mr. Robert Courtneidge has by now, of course, removed.”
As well as Walter Thomas, other members of the company for this 1914 touring production included Ruby Vyvyan, Doris Vinson, Hilda Guiver, Stafford Moss and Edward Dodds.
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
