Theatre info & Archives ?

[LindyTumblethump]

From the 1911 which someone very kindly sent me when they came across it, I find an ancestor in the theatre business is there anywhere to search out theatrical archives please?

[samesizedfeet]

The best source is the Theatre Museum which is part of the V&A. It is very dependent on what they were doing in the theatre and how successful they were.

if you still have access to Gale Newspapers (through your library etc) then there are quite a few papers that would have had adverts for the local theatre and there's The Era where people advertised that they were available for work.

if their name was well known enough to draw people into see a production they're likely to have been mentioned in the adverts and broadsides. They were paid for by the word so they don't mention everyone involved in a show just the big names.

I would start with the newspapers and an email to the Theatre Museum. I haven't contacted them for years but they used to respond to an initial email with what information they have. It's one email per person though. If they come up with anything interesting then you have to pay for further research (this was about 6 years ago so may have changed)

[LindyTumblethump]

Thank you will do as you say xxhugxx p.s. he was a Theatre Manager in 1911.

[samesizedfeet]

What was he in 1901 then? Intrigued now as theatre management tended to be something you worked up towards over several years after having been an actor or worked in producing.

Of course you could go straight into theatre management if you bought yourself a theatre.

What's the name?

[Merry]

Originally Posted by samesizedfeet

Of course you could go straight into theatre management if you bought yourself a theatre.

pmsl! That's what my rellie did!!

[LindyTumblethump]

That is my problem got him on the 1891/1881 but cannot find him or his wife Euphemia Marion anywhere on the 1901, problem is despite surname being Fleetwood, one branch so far not connected were also in Theatre and changed his name to Hazelwood tried looking under Hazelwood zilch. He is Albert Robert Alexander Fleetwood b 1871 Westminster 1881/1891 he ws in Denman Street with his family, he married Euphemia Marion Pyle in Wandsworth 1893 on the 1911 she shows as Maion Euphemia they are living in Fulham. xxhugxx

[samesizedfeet]

Searching google books to see if I can spot anything but there's a Mr Fleetwood who held the Patent for the Drury Lane Theatre in the last 1700s who's making it hard.

[samesizedfeet]

This could be him here:

Class: RG13; Piece: 54; Folio: 11; Page: 19.


Wife is given as Sarah but his occupation is Actor

[LindyTumblethump]

Off to look Zoe. xxhugxx

[LindyTumblethump]

Does look possible but the 1911 states he has been married for 18 years. 1911 shows one child Albert Edward Victor Fleetwood age 9. Also states 2 children from the marriage but only one surviving. xxhugxx