Transcript from THE NORTH STAR Tuesday December 24, 1889
Christmas in Stockton without the familiar entertainment of a pantomime at the Theatre Royal would be something unusual, and a considerable disappointment not merely to the ordinary play going public, but to many others, and to large crowds of juveniles especially, who probably see a single stage performance but once in a year.
The title of the pantomime this year is “Blue Beard,” and it is the seventh pantomime which Mr. Lloyd Clarance, the respected lessee of the theatre, has produced in the old Teesside town, with, which, on and off, he has for many years been professionally connected. Mr. Clarance, who has written the libretto himself, has dealt with a pretty free hand with the story of the polygamous and sanguinary Eastern ocre.
The story, as told by Mr. Clarance, may be crystallised in a few words. Brahim (Mr.H Landeeh), an Oriental Jew, is in dire monetary straits, and in hopes of being relieved by Blue Beard (Mr. Clarance), he betrothed his beautiful daughter Fatima (Miss Ada Hollingsworth) to the monster. This chagrins Sister Ann (Mr. W. S. Hutchinson), the ugly daughter, and also brings forth a champion of Fatima in the person of Sefton (Miss Kate Hollingsworth).
From this point the story is worked out to its end. The pantomime opens with the Nymphs’ Home, and we are speedily introduced to a Turkish village. This is quite a picture of quaint Oriental houses full of colouring, animation being imparted to the scene by the introduction of the chief characters and groups of picturesquely dressed peasants. Songs, duets, concerted pieces, and dances give great vivacity to the scene, which never flags from beginning to end, and frequently evoked hearty applause.
An element of local humour is given to the scene in the sale of the effects of the pecunious Brahim. One of the articles offered is “the first and for the Blackton reservoir, cut by the Mayor of Stockton”? The bidding stops at the magnificent sum of two shillings: which draws from the auctioneer the exclamation, “Why, gentlemen, it cost £400!” – an allusion to the expense of the Water Board’s latest outing, which immensely tickled the audience. Blue Beard is subsequently discovered in his study, and here some startling secret trap effects are shown.
The wedding day of Blue Beard and Fatima is celebrated by a gorgeous pageant, Blue Beard’s splendidly attired retinue marching in procession through the magnificent halls of the Eastern potentate. The scene is bright and effective, and evoked much applause. “Let festivity,” says Blue Beard, “hold the away, to celebrate this, our wedding day,” and presently a variety of entertainments are introduced. Fatima sings a song very pleasingly with banjo accompaniment, and Mr. W. S. Hutchinson (Sister Ann) contributes a ventriloquial entertainments.
It must be said for Mr. Hutchinson that he is one of the cleverest ventriloquists ever heard in Stockton. His variety of figures is great and his manipulation of them clever, and the flexibility of his voice enables him to adapt it very effectively to each character. His humour is of a rollicking kind, not devoid of freshness, and his performance kept the audience in constant laughter, and secured him the most demonstrative applause.
Sheriff, a clever performing elephant, which lately belonged to Messrs. John Sanger and Sons and has been performing at Scarborough Aquarium, was introduced by “Professor” Henry, his trainer. The ponderous brute went through his clever performance with all the grace and dexterity that an elephant could possibly be imagined to possess, and he was being marched off the stage amid the plaudits of the audience, when, somewhat to their consternation, some of the stage boards gave way, and Sheriff sank partially through! The ordinary progress of the pantomime was delayed for some time, artistes having to be sent on with an improvised entertainment till Sheriff was extricated.
The wedding pageant was, of course, not finished, but as soon as the stage was cleared the sleeping camp scene was staged, and very effective it is. Armoured soldiers are discovered sleeping, but speedily the dawn of the day awakes them and the camp is once more in a state of activity. Seline sings a patriotic song with a lot of dash, and the scene passes off with much celal. There are a variety of other effective scenes.
The acting, singing and dancing, to which we shall have occasion to refer more particularly in a future issue, are good, and the dresses and scenery are exceedingly bright and striking. Even allowing for Sheriff’s untoward accident, and the little delays inseparable from a first performance, we think some excisions are needed to bring the performance within reasonable limits; and with a judicious pruning we venture to think that Mr. Clarance’s “Blue Beard” has a very successful future before it.
Christmas in Stockton without the familiar entertainment of a pantomime at the Theatre Royal would be something unusual, and a considerable disappointment not merely to the ordinary play going public, but to many others, and to large crowds of juveniles especially, who probably see a single stage performance but once in a year.
The title of the pantomime this year is “Blue Beard,” and it is the seventh pantomime which Mr. Lloyd Clarance, the respected lessee of the theatre, has produced in the old Teesside town, with, which, on and off, he has for many years been professionally connected. Mr. Clarance, who has written the libretto himself, has dealt with a pretty free hand with the story of the polygamous and sanguinary Eastern ocre.
The story, as told by Mr. Clarance, may be crystallised in a few words. Brahim (Mr.H Landeeh), an Oriental Jew, is in dire monetary straits, and in hopes of being relieved by Blue Beard (Mr. Clarance), he betrothed his beautiful daughter Fatima (Miss Ada Hollingsworth) to the monster. This chagrins Sister Ann (Mr. W. S. Hutchinson), the ugly daughter, and also brings forth a champion of Fatima in the person of Sefton (Miss Kate Hollingsworth).
From this point the story is worked out to its end. The pantomime opens with the Nymphs’ Home, and we are speedily introduced to a Turkish village. This is quite a picture of quaint Oriental houses full of colouring, animation being imparted to the scene by the introduction of the chief characters and groups of picturesquely dressed peasants. Songs, duets, concerted pieces, and dances give great vivacity to the scene, which never flags from beginning to end, and frequently evoked hearty applause.
An element of local humour is given to the scene in the sale of the effects of the pecunious Brahim. One of the articles offered is “the first and for the Blackton reservoir, cut by the Mayor of Stockton”? The bidding stops at the magnificent sum of two shillings: which draws from the auctioneer the exclamation, “Why, gentlemen, it cost £400!” – an allusion to the expense of the Water Board’s latest outing, which immensely tickled the audience. Blue Beard is subsequently discovered in his study, and here some startling secret trap effects are shown.
The wedding day of Blue Beard and Fatima is celebrated by a gorgeous pageant, Blue Beard’s splendidly attired retinue marching in procession through the magnificent halls of the Eastern potentate. The scene is bright and effective, and evoked much applause. “Let festivity,” says Blue Beard, “hold the away, to celebrate this, our wedding day,” and presently a variety of entertainments are introduced. Fatima sings a song very pleasingly with banjo accompaniment, and Mr. W. S. Hutchinson (Sister Ann) contributes a ventriloquial entertainments.
It must be said for Mr. Hutchinson that he is one of the cleverest ventriloquists ever heard in Stockton. His variety of figures is great and his manipulation of them clever, and the flexibility of his voice enables him to adapt it very effectively to each character. His humour is of a rollicking kind, not devoid of freshness, and his performance kept the audience in constant laughter, and secured him the most demonstrative applause.
Sheriff, a clever performing elephant, which lately belonged to Messrs. John Sanger and Sons and has been performing at Scarborough Aquarium, was introduced by “Professor” Henry, his trainer. The ponderous brute went through his clever performance with all the grace and dexterity that an elephant could possibly be imagined to possess, and he was being marched off the stage amid the plaudits of the audience, when, somewhat to their consternation, some of the stage boards gave way, and Sheriff sank partially through! The ordinary progress of the pantomime was delayed for some time, artistes having to be sent on with an improvised entertainment till Sheriff was extricated.
The wedding pageant was, of course, not finished, but as soon as the stage was cleared the sleeping camp scene was staged, and very effective it is. Armoured soldiers are discovered sleeping, but speedily the dawn of the day awakes them and the camp is once more in a state of activity. Seline sings a patriotic song with a lot of dash, and the scene passes off with much celal. There are a variety of other effective scenes.
The acting, singing and dancing, to which we shall have occasion to refer more particularly in a future issue, are good, and the dresses and scenery are exceedingly bright and striking. Even allowing for Sheriff’s untoward accident, and the little delays inseparable from a first performance, we think some excisions are needed to bring the performance within reasonable limits; and with a judicious pruning we venture to think that Mr. Clarance’s “Blue Beard” has a very successful future before it.
Lloyds business writing paper.
Used during his time spent at the Theatre Royal at Stockton-on-Tees.
The theatre was on Yarm Lane and he was lessee and manager for approximately 10 years.
On the writing paper it says:
Lloyd Clarance has much pleasure in announcing that the alterations which were required by the Magistrates (with the view of absolutely ensuring the safety of the public) are now completed to their entire satisfaction, the renewal of the license being unanimously granted. The Theatre is now one of the prettiest, most comfortable, and safest in the province.
Prices of Admission
Private Boxes £1.12s.6d & £1.1s
Dress Circle 3/~
Side Boxes & Orchestra Stalls 1/6
Pit Stalls & Upper Circle 1/~
Amphitheatre 9d
Pit 6d Gallery 4d
There is a full description of the stage dimensions which I have found difficult to read and transcribe.
The Theatre employs a resident scenic artist and an experienced carpenter.
Used during his time spent at the Theatre Royal at Stockton-on-Tees.
The theatre was on Yarm Lane and he was lessee and manager for approximately 10 years.
On the writing paper it says:
Lloyd Clarance has much pleasure in announcing that the alterations which were required by the Magistrates (with the view of absolutely ensuring the safety of the public) are now completed to their entire satisfaction, the renewal of the license being unanimously granted. The Theatre is now one of the prettiest, most comfortable, and safest in the province.
Prices of Admission
Private Boxes £1.12s.6d & £1.1s
Dress Circle 3/~
Side Boxes & Orchestra Stalls 1/6
Pit Stalls & Upper Circle 1/~
Amphitheatre 9d
Pit 6d Gallery 4d
There is a full description of the stage dimensions which I have found difficult to read and transcribe.
The Theatre employs a resident scenic artist and an experienced carpenter.
Theatre Royal
Stockton on Tees
Spot the ladders pinned to the front of the building. Quite possibly were the health and safety measures Lloyd put in place due to the theatre fires happening throughout the country!
An earlier version of Lloyd's writing paper. The permanent address on this is 43 Canton Street, Poplar, London. The address for his father from 1881
This is called a 'Bill Inspectors Card'
A Bill Inspector would ensure that Playbill posters (advertising posters)were placed around the towns on buildings and would ensure they would not be covered over by other posters. They often charged a weekly fee for their service
Lloyd received this postcard as dated January 1st 1998
From one Manager to another!
The 'New Theatre' in Consett went through some serious refurbishment and became well known as The Globe.
Posters
No need for me to write about these as they are clearly marked
I love this. Unfortunately I do not have a date for when this was produced.
Lloyd and Kate in the centre circle and each small picture represents a pantomime that Lloyd had written and staged. Absolutely marvellous colourful piece, not sure if Lloyd illustrated this himself !
The Globe Theatre
Front Street, Consett, County Durham
c1926
Photo courtesy of Brian Harrison
of the Consett Local Heritage.
There is a wonderful piece written in the Consett Magazine this month (March 2014) written by Brian Harrison about the history of the Globe and when Lloyd Clarance arrived. CLICK here to view
Showing the stage in The Globe Theatre long after it closed and fell into decay.
Photo © Brian Clough
Brian wrote an article in October 2013 about his visit to the Globe as a press release photographer. He gained entry during the early 70's and took this picture.
You can read his article online. CLICK here
I have spent many hours searching through the newspaper archives available online. There are 100's actually well over a 1000 mentions of Lloyd and Kate. Some adverts for theatre productions as well as reports on his life, charity work, his time in the RAOB (Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes) also mentions of the births and losses of his children.
Here are some snippets you can click on to view:
Here are some snippets you can click on to view:
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