Having only the radio for entertainment, it was a nice change to go to the theatre at least once a year.
O n the radio we had many programmes we enjoyed listening.on a Saturday morning it was Uncle Mac programme. Educating Archie was another programme. Listening to Max Bygraves who died August 31st 2012. Princess Diana died on the same day 15 years earlier.
At Christmas time we visited the Rep Theatre[Royal ] in Northampton for the pantomine.
We belonged to the Merry Comrades, along with Aunty Dick raised money for the Northampton General Hospital. My mother and myself visited Aunty Dick at her large house overlooking the racecourse. we had the task of using last years Christmas cards and making them into new ones to be sold in aid of the hospital. She arranged for envolopes to be given to us to fit the cards.We was invited for tea and cakes. She was a very nice and kind lady and made us wellcome.
As a thank you for this we was invited to the Royal Theatre to see the annual pantomine.
I collected autographs as a hobby and got to meet many famous people.
Later on i attended Northampton School of Art. The lessons in the week were taken to study dress design and drawing cloth and models.
On a Friday afternoon the lesson was with HENRY BIRD. This involved going out around the town and drawing old buildings.Back at the school of art we then had to design costumes for men and women of the time when the building was built.
HENRY BIRD was famous for his murals in the theatre and the local churches. He came from a poor family as his father had been in WW1.HENRY BIRD enjoyed drawing nude women. It was said he asked young big and beautiful women to model for him by saying they could have cream cakes and sherry and gin. i know this to be true .I was one of those young ladies asked. I turned him down as i didnt think my parent would have approved.I was 17 years old at the time.He was very understanding about it.
We was invited on stage one year to have our photograph taken with the cast. As i was one of the tallest i was asked to stand next to Nicholas Courtney. he put his arm around me for the photo.
Nicholas Courtney, [ later in doctor who]
Jill Browne ,nurse from general hospital series. She attended a church service at St Giles Church Northampton and seen a grave in the church yard of one of her ancestors.
Actor who played part owner of pub in Emmerdale, Henry Wilks
Lionel Hamilton.who lived in Northampton.
New Theatre Northampton
This theatre only had a short life from 1910-1960. The cost of the land in 1910 was £5.000. Many homes and business were demolished, including Brooms library no 84 Abington Street. Miss Law Haberdashery no 86. Dr Cooke above 84 Abington Street Dr Wagstaff no 82 DR Percival no 86. This part of Abington Street Northampton was called Northamptons Little Harley Street because there was many doctors there.
In 1918 Lillie Langtry appeared on stage and Winston Churchill also visited.Queen Elizabeth [Queen Mother and her husband, later King George VI visited in 1928.
Taken from book . Death of a Theatre . Lou Warwick. page 17. 43 80.
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sandy
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