Stage by Stage
Elisabeth Kumm
Elisabeth is a founding member of the Victoria Theatres Trust. Her series Pets of the Public was a regular feature of On Stage from 1999 to 2005, looking at “forgotten” nineteenth century performers. She continues to contribute articles for the THA website, and from 2018 has been editor of the THA Newsletter. As a theatrical historian and biographer she assisted Viola Tait with her book on pantomime – Dames, Principal Boys…and All That (published by Macmillan in 2001) and also worked with her on her memoirs I Have a Song to Sing (published by THA in 2018). Elisabeth has also undertaken research for the Riley/Hailes Scrapbook and JCW Scene Books projects. Most recently she has been working on the Falk Studios album project including acting as editor of The Falk Studios book (published by THA in 2021).
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
ZELMAN, Alberto (1832-1907)
Austro-Hungarian conductor. Born 1832, Trieste, Italy. Died 28 December 1907, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Married Emily Hodgkinson, 1873, VIC, Australia. Father of Alberto Zelman (conductor) and Victor Zelman (landscape painter).
In India with GBW Lewis's company in 1868. Conducted at the opening of the Academy of Music in Melbourne on 6 November 1876.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
YOUNG, Florence (1870-1920)
Australian actress & vocalist. Née Florence Maude Young. Born 2 October 1870, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Daughter of Henry Henrard Young (jeweller) and Elizabeth Tonkin. Sister of Millie Young (actress), Gladys Young (actress), Harry Young (actor), Fred Young (stage manager). Married Robert Campbell Rivington, 8 February 1897, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (div. 1912), (2) Reginald Roberts (de facto). Died 11 November 1920, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
On stage from 1890, performing in musical comedy and pantomime, having studied singing with Madame Lucy Chambers.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
YOUNG, Charles (1819-1874)
English actor. Ne Charles Horace Frisbee Young. Born 5 April 1819, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. Son of Charles Young (actor) and Isabella Frisby. Married (1) Jane Thomson [Mrs Herman Vezin] (actress), 6 June 1845, Launceston, TAS, Australia (div. 1862), (2) Ellen Kirby, 1868, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Died 29 January 1874, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
On stage in Australia and England from 1840s. Performed comedy and Shakespearean roles supporting GV Brooke, Barry Sullivan and Walter Montgomery.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WOOD, Madame Gregor (c.1879-1951)
Australian operatic vocalist (contralto). Née Alice Leah Mattinson, aka Allie Mattinson. Daughter of Thomas Mattinson and Mary Jane Carey. Married James Gregor Wood (vocalist), 27 December 1902, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Died 10 September 1951, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Oratorio and concert singer on stage in Australia from 1890s, often as soloist with Scots Church choir and with husband performing Scottish songs.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WOOD, Ernest (c.1861-1914)
English church organist and conductor. Né Ernest Harry Edward Wood. Born c.1861, Sheffield, England. Son of William Wood and Maria Smith. Married Castalie Alexandrine Coblyn (French-born linguist & musician), 9 April 1901, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Died 9 May 1914, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Organist and director of the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral and conductor of the Royal Metropolitan Liedertafel in Melbourne.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WINSTANLEY, Eliza (1818-1882)
English-born actress & writer. Née Eliza Winstanley. Born 1818, London, England. Daughter of William Winstanley (scene painter). Married Henry Charles O'Flaherty (musician), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Died 1882, Sydney, NSW, Australia
On stage in Australia from 1834-1846. Returned to England, acted with Charles Kean to 1859. Acted in USA 1848-1849. Wrote novels. Returned to Sydney 1880.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WILSON, Nellie (1877-1913+)
Australian actress & vocalist. Née Catherine Eleanor Wilson.
Member of Pollard’s Liliputian Opera Company and JC Williamson Ltd.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WILSON, J Plumpton (1879-1958)
English actor. Né Joshua Plumpton Wilson. Son of Beverley Linett Wilson and Katherine Lilleyburn. Married (1) Eily Malyon (actress), 9 December 1911, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (div. 1922), (2) Esther Mitchell (actress), 1924. Died September 1958, New York, USA.
On stage in Australia from 1910s as actor for JC Williamson Ltd.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WILSON, Frank H. (1886-1956)
American actor & playwright. Born 4 May 1886, New York, USA. Married Effie King (actress). Died 16 February 1956, Jamaica, NY, USA.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WILLIAMSON, J.C. (1844-1913)
American actor, vocalist & manager. Né James Cassius Williamson. Born 26 July 1844, Mercer, Pennsylvania, USA. Married (1) Maggie Moore (actress), (2) Mary Weir (dancer). Died 8 July 1913, Paris, France.
On stage in USA, Australia and England from1860s. Arrived Australia in 1874 under engagement to George Coppin. Went to found Australia’s most important theatrical companies, J.C. Williamson Ltd.
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