THE FEMALE STARS OF MUSICAL THEATRE IN EDWARDIAN ENGLAND
A NEW BOOK IN A LIMITED EDITION OF 100 COPIES WITH 358 ILLUSTRATIONS
About forty years ago the author acquired a collection of old postcards of actresses from the world of Edwardian musical theatre. He became interested in finding something out about these ladies, and about those depicted on the postcards which have since been added to the original collection. This book is the result of many enjoyable years gathering information relating to the lives and careers of these hitherto largely undocumented and now almost forgotten actresses who were once so well known for their work in musical theatre in England. It comprises an introduction, an extensive Bibliography of the books, newspapers, magazines and other publications from which most of the information in the book has been obtained, and four chapters:
1) George Edwards: the life and career of the great impresario.
2) Theatres: this chapter includes full performance details of most of the musical shows presented in the West End between 1892 and 1920; also a brief history of 260 of the theatres mentioned in the book.
3) Postcards: some information on old theatrical postcards.
4) Actresses: a 250 page alphabetical dictionary of actresses, with details on their lives and of the theatre shows in which they appeared. This chapter includes at least one paragraph of each of the 286 actresses listed.
1) George Edwards: the life and career of the great impresario.
2) Theatres: this chapter includes full performance details of most of the musical shows presented in the West End between 1892 and 1920; also a brief history of 260 of the theatres mentioned in the book.
3) Postcards: some information on old theatrical postcards.
4) Actresses: a 250 page alphabetical dictionary of actresses, with details on their lives and of the theatre shows in which they appeared. This chapter includes at least one paragraph of each of the 286 actresses listed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Frost was born in Bury St Edmunds in 1950. He worked professionally in the theatre for a few years prior to forming his own business dealing in antique natural history items. He later spent thirty-two years as Stage Manager for the Bury St Edmunds Operatic Society. Copies of one of his previous books (A History of British Taxidermy, published in 1987 in an edition of 1,000 numbered copies and now out of print) sell today for up to five times their original retail price of £35.