Music Hall Artistes, Glasgow

weepearlie · Post by **weepearlie** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:21 am

Hello All
My Grandparents were Music Hall Artistes, and their 2 daughters.
They toured Scotland, visiting Town halls. Village halls, small theatres.
I have a photo of 7 of them, I do not know who they all are.
They would all sing and dance, my mother as a small child too.
My late mother used to say, that they all lived out of a suitcase.

I would like to know more info about their life.
I have seen the Scottish Music Hall Society, mitchell library. glasgow university.
But I can never find anything about them.

All I know is my Grandmothers stage name was
Lena Russell. her real name was Margaret Collins nee McCluskey. I have googled but to no avail.
If anybody has any thoughts they would be gratefully recieved.
many thank for your time
weepearlie :

bleckie · Post by **bleckie** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:40 pm

Hi weepearlie

Is this who you are looking for found at the following link.
http://www.archive.org/stream/whoswhoin ... p_djvu.txt

LONDON HIPPODROME

28 MARCH, 1923

"BRIGHTER LONDON"

Revue by LAURI WYLIE ; music by HERMAN FINCK

Lupino Lane
Billy Merson
Reginald Sliarland
Charles Stone
Bernard Dudley

Annie Croft
Elsie Prince
Ruth French
Lena Russell
Eddie Jay

yours Aye
BruceL

weepearlie · Post by **weepearlie** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:48 pm

Hello Brucel
Goodness me, that's amazing, how on earth did you do that.
I have not had a look yet, but wow.
100% Many many thank you's
And again
weedram thanks

I have just had a look, that must have taken you ages, many thanks to you. much appreciated.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:42 am

Hello Weepearlie,

Following on from what Bruce found.

The London Times has some adverts for the “Brighter London” show. There’s also a review of the show. Unfortunately they have only mentioned a few of the cast and Lena’s name doesn’t appear to be there. If you can access the Times (your local County Library may allow access from home) search for BRIGHTER LONDON AND WYLIE. The Review is on 12th December, 1923, and there’s an Advert on 2nd April, 1923, etc. (many of the advert images are faulty)

You may be able to get access as set out in the first posting on this thread but I’m not sure it still works or if it’s just temporarily slow. Send me a PM with an email address if you get stuck. http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic. ... yinfomarks

There’s a little bit more in “The Stage Year Book‎” – 1921? (This book contains 1924 material)
http://www.google.com.au/books?id=ftoQA ... lr=&pgis=1

BRIGHTER LONDON, revue, book by Lauri Wylie, lyrics by Clifford Harris, additional scenes by R. P. Weston and Bert Lee, music composed, selected, and arranged by Herman Finck. Principal artists: Mr Billy Merson, Mr. Lupino Lane, Miss Annie Croft, Mr. Reginald Sharland, Miss Elsie Prince, Miss Ruth French, Miss Lena Russell, Miss Vera Bryer, Mr. Bernard Dudley, Mr. Frederick Leigh, Mr. Charles Stone, Mr. Eddie Jaye, the Paul Whiteman Band. (March 19 Olympia, Liverpool.) March 29. Last performance, (the 591st), March 15, 1924.

Your mother’s birth certificate should have your grandmother’s real name if Lena Russell was only a stage name.

Hope that helps,
Alan

weepearlie · Post by **weepearlie** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:25 pm

Thank you Alan
You have been very busy this morning, very much appreciated.
I shall have a go to try and access The Times. via the library.
I shall have a look at The Stage year book too.

So thank you again Alan. Oh yes I do have my Grandmothers name, I have now included it into my original message.
Sorry I had'nt realised stupidly, that I had'nt included it. sorry.
wendy