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
WEATHERSBY, Richard (1859-1915)
English vocalist & stage manager. Né Richard William John Smith. Born 1859, London, England. Son of William Smith and Eliza Weathersby. Married Alice Gresham (vocalist). Died December 1915, Birmingham, England.
Associated with D’Oyly Carte companies in England. Engaged by JC Williamson Ltd to produce G&S operas during 1914-1915.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WATKIN-MILLS, Robert (1849-1930)
English operatic vocalist (baritone). Born 4 March 1849, Painswick, Gloucestershire, England. Son of Thomas Mills and Mary Watkins. Married Elsie Cantell (vocalist), 1919. Died 10 December 1930, Toronto, Canada.
Noted concert singer & recording artist. On stage in England, Australia and Canada. Visited Australia 1904-1905 as part of world tour.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WARMAN, Elsa (1887-1944)
Australian vocalist (soprano). Nee Agnes Elsie Victoria Warman. Daughter of William Warman and Emma Hartree. Born 1887, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Died 4 February 1944, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Popular singer and teacher who gained prominence after winning Melba singing scholarship in 1914.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WARD, Genevieve (1837-1922)
American actress & operatic vocalist (soprano). Née Lucy Geneviève Teresa Ward; aka Countess de Guerbel. Born 27 March 1837, New York City, NY, USA. Daughter of Colonel Samuel Ward. Died 18 August 1922, Hampstead, London, England.
Opera singer turned dramatic actress based in England from 1870s. Visited Australia in 1884 as part of a world tour. First actress to be awarded a DBE, which she received in 1921.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WALLER, Lewis (1860-1915)
English actor, manager & playwright. Né William Waller Lewis. Born 3 November 1860, Bilbao, Spain. Son of William James Lewis (engineer) and Carlotta Vyse. Married Florence West (actress), 1883. Died 1 November 1915, Nottingham, England, aged 55 (from pneumonia).
On stage from 1883, gaining early experience in the companies of JL Toole and Helena Modjeska. Manager of Haymarket Theatre and other theatre during 1890s with HH Morrell. Joined HB Tree's company, 1897-1900. During the 1910s, toured America, Canada and Australia.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
WALENN, Charles R. (1867-1948)
English actor & operatic vocalist (baritone). Né Charles Roby Walenn. Born 1868, London, England. Son of William H Walenn and Skene Charlotte --. Brother of Gerald Walenn (violinist) and Herbert Walenn (violoncellist). Married Amelia Rousbey (vocalist) 1901, London, England. Died 30 May 1948, London, England, aged 80.
Noted G. & S. performer on stage from 1880s. Visited Australia twice for J.C. Williamson Ltd, in 1914 and 1920-1921.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
VOGHERA, Tullio (1879-1943)
Italian conductor.
Important conductor of Italian and French opera based initially in Stockholm. Associate conductor with Toscanini at Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1909. Visited Australia in 1913 with Quinlan Opera Company when he conducted several important premieres.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
VINING, Hilda (1888-1917+)
English actress. Née Hilda Walters. Sister of Elizabeth Vining (actress) and Lily Vining (actress).
On stage in England and Australia. Visited Australia in 1913 for JC Williamson Ltd to perform in musical comedy.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
VIE, Florence (1875-1939)
English actress. Died 12 April 1939, London, England, aged 64.
On stage in England and Australia.
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Wednesday, 14 June 2017
VESTRIS, Madame (1797-1856)
English actress, vocalist & manager. Née Lucia Elizabetta Bartolozzi. Born January 1797, London, England. Daughter of Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi (art dealer) and Theresa Jansen (pianist). Married (1) Armand Vestris (dancer), 1813, (2) Charles James Mathews (actor), August 1838. Died 8 August 1856, London, England.
Important singer and actor-manager associated with the Lyceum and Covent Garden theatres in London. On stage in England from 1815.
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