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2020

Julia Neilson - Postcard, 1911

Title

Julia Neilson - Postcard, 1911

Date

6 November 1911

Description

Promotional postcard of Julia Neilson, starring in 1911 touring production of The Popinjay.

What's the story?

Julia Neilson starred as Queen Frederique in The Popinjay by Boyle Lawrence and Frederick Mouillot at the Theatre Royal from 6 November 1911.
Julia Neilson was a renowned actor, who often performed alongside her husband Fred Terry. Having formed their own management company in 1900, they frequently worked together, touring extensively, performing in popular romantic historical dramas. Terry did not appear in this production of The Popinjay, but directed the play instead.

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