Johnny Schofield - Postcard, 1908
Title
Johnny Schofield - Postcard, 1908
Date
26 December 1908
Description
Promotional postcard of Johnny Schofield, appearing in Cinderella, the Theatre Royal Pantomime for 1908.
What's the story?
Johnny or Johnnie, as it is sometimes spelt, Schofield played the Baroness in Cinderella, the Theatre Royal Pantomime, which ran from 26 December 1908 to 6 February 1909.
In its opening night review printed on 28 December 1908 the Nottingham Journal wrote …
“The Theatre Royal pantomime was produced to a holiday audience on Boxing Night, and proved to be one of the most sincere attempts to elaborate a real ‘laughter-maker’ that the management have for some time entered upon … Mr. Johnnie Schofield is the Baroness. He is an actor of much ability and experience, and has a special and remarkable facility for feminine parts in the fashion of pantomime. He is a clever dancer, can sing a comic song, and is a witty purveyor of fluent patter …”
This Nottingham Journal review also stated that the running time for this production was “three and a half hours of continuous fun”, adding …
“The first performance of ‘Cinderella’ did not conclude till a good deal after eleven, but it had attraction sufficient to hold people to their seats to the finish.”
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.
In its opening night review printed on 28 December 1908 the Nottingham Journal wrote …
“The Theatre Royal pantomime was produced to a holiday audience on Boxing Night, and proved to be one of the most sincere attempts to elaborate a real ‘laughter-maker’ that the management have for some time entered upon … Mr. Johnnie Schofield is the Baroness. He is an actor of much ability and experience, and has a special and remarkable facility for feminine parts in the fashion of pantomime. He is a clever dancer, can sing a comic song, and is a witty purveyor of fluent patter …”
This Nottingham Journal review also stated that the running time for this production was “three and a half hours of continuous fun”, adding …
“The first performance of ‘Cinderella’ did not conclude till a good deal after eleven, but it had attraction sufficient to hold people to their seats to the finish.”
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
