|
Reviews and Advertisements
about the appearances /
performances of
-
William Gant of
Holmes and Gant;
-
Will Mitchison aka
Will Mitcham;
-
Harriet Sarah Ann Gant aka
Maud Ross /
Harriet Mitchison / Maud Venner
(some references to 'Maud Venner' may refer to
a different individual who used that stage name);
-
William George Gant aka
Charlie/Charley
Ross (only a few examples of his many
appearances have been cited on this page so far);
-
Maud
Clara Mitchison aka Maud Lorimer /
Stella Stahl / Jocelyn
of
Spence and Jocelyn;
-
John
Gillespie Lorimer aka
John / Jack
/Jock Lorimer.
|
1868 - 1874
1868
26 April 1868, The Era: 'Gant
and Holmes (American duettists) are a talented pair' Thornton's
Varieties, Leeds.
10 May 1868, The Era: 'Messrs
Holmes and Gant are representatives of the
"burnt cork".' Museum Concert Hall, Bolton.
27 December 1868, The Era:
'Messrs Holmes and Gant give a laughable
American entertainment.' Crystal Palace Concert Hall, Birmingham.
1869
17 August 1869, Liverpool Mercury:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, New Star Music Hall.
28 November 1869, The Era:
Holmes and Gant, Surrey Music Hall, Barnsley.
1870
16 January 1870, The Era:
Holmes and Gant, 'roars of laughter',
Alhambra, Hull.
22 February 1870, Liverpool Mercury:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, New Star Music Hall,
Liverpool.
24 April 1870, The Era: 'Holmes
and Gant are good negro comedians, and retail their jokes
capitally.'
1 May 1870, The Era:
Holmes and Gant, The Sun, London.
15 May 1870, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant who joked, sang, and danced
in the stage Ethiopian style', The Cambridge, London. Also at The
Sun.
29 May 1870, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Cambridge, London.
5 June 1870, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Royal, Holborn, London.
12 June 1870, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, 'in a peculiar display of
sable humour', The Marylebone, London.
26 June 1870, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, Arboretum Anniversary,
Derby.
1871
1 January 1871, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, Marylebone; 'Messrs Holmes
and Gant in an Ethiopian entertainment certainly redeem the declining fame
of the black opera". They are excruciatingly funny; they speak
nonsense but it is good; they speak riddles, but they are ingenious; they
sing and do so well. let managers look to their laurels and
secure them.' The Sun, Knightsbridge, London.
29 January 1871, Lloyd's Weekly
Newspaper: Messrs Holmes and Gant, The
Sun, Knightsbridge, London.
12 February 1871, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, The Marylebone and
The Sun.
30 April 1871, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Cambridge.
1872
7 January 1872, The Era: 'Messrs
Holmes and Gant succeed in eliciting roars of
laughter' , South London Palace; Wilton's, and Star, London.
28 January 1872, The Era:
'Messrs Holmes and Gant, the amusing Negro
delineators, excited loud laughter by their droll doings', The Oxford,
London.
14 April 1872, The Era: 'Messrs
Holmes and Gant at Mr Jolly John Nash's
Benefit, The Canterbury, London.
5 May 1872, The Era: 'burlesque
entertainment of Messrs Holmes and Gant', St
Patrick's Auxiliary Schools; 'a laughable sketch called The Music
Lesson', The Oxford, London.
7 July 1872, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, Crystal Palace Concert Hall,
Birmingham.
28 July 1872, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, Royal Music Hall, Glasgow.
8 September 1872, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, Southminster Theatre,
Edinburgh.
3 / 10 November 1872, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant leased Barnsley
Mechanics Hall to put on a short season of shows involving themselves and
other performers, which proved popular with their audiences.
1873
5 January 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Marylebone; The
Canterbury.
19 January 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Marylebone.
9 February 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Canterbury.
23 February 1873, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, The Marylebone.
16 / 30 March 1873, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, The Marylebone.
13 April 1873, The Era: 'Messrs
Holmes and Gant asked and answered or gave up
conundrums', The Grecian.
27 April 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Canterbury.
4 May 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Canterbury.
25 May 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, Sam Collins's music hall,
London , Mr H Watts's Benefit
I June 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, 'The laughable blundering on
both sides caused infinite merriment to the audience.' The Sun Music Hall.
8 June 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, 'All these performers have
been greeted with cheers and recalls, which show that their productions
have lost none of their old popularity, and that there is still a large
proportion of the hard working public who thoroughly enjoy Music Hall
performances.' Gatti's, London.
29 June 1873, The Era: 'Messrs
Holmes and Gant , in their Ethiopian
waggeries' were as acceptable as ever.' London Pavilion.
13 July 1873, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The London Pavilion.
15 February 1874, The Era:
Messrs Holmes and Gant, Southminster Theatre,
Edinburgh.
22 March 1874, The Era: Messrs
Holmes and Gant, The Alhambra, Bradford.
1875 -1879
1875
19 December 1875, The Era:
Will Mitcheson: 'Popular Comic Character Vocalist and
Tyneside Comedian, now in full tide of success', New Tyne Music Hall,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, extended engagement to 9 weeks in total.
Signalled his availability in Feb 1876.
1876
26 November 1876, The Era: Will Mitcheson: 'the Great Comic Character and Vocalist', Northumberland Music
Hall, North Shields, Durham Music Hall, South Shields. 'The greatest hit
ever known' who performed 7 songs in one turn. Signalled
availability for 12 days from 8 Jan 1877.
3 December 1876, The Era: 'Mr.
Will Mitcheson, the Celebrated Comedian, Vocalist, and Author, just
finished most successful engagement ever known at Northumberland, North
Shields, and Durham Music Hall, South Shields. Monday next, Theatre
Royal, Bishop Auckland. Mitcheson is a Success everywhere. Address,
en route. Kind regards to friends."
Star Theatre, Stockton>
1877
7 January 1877,
The Era: Advertisement described WM
as a 'character comique and
versatile artiste' 'New and original business, without the
slightest vulgarity'. He was recommended by Theodore Heaton.
When free after his next engagement, he was looking for work preferably in
Ireland.
WM: > Oxford, Middlesbrough
16 January 1877, Freeman's Journal
and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): WM:
WM: > Grafton Theatre of Varieties the
following week
25 January 1877, Freeman's Journal
and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): WM: Fourth
appearance, described as 'Comic Vocalist, Author and Dancer'
31 January 1877, Freeman's Journal
and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): Last week of Will's
appearance at Grafton Theatre of Varieties
27 April 1877, Aberdeen Weekly
Journal: WM: McFarland's Grand Music Hall
17 June 1877, The Era: Will is
billed as a 'Tyneside comic', Steam Clock Music Hall, Birmingham
WM: >Alhambra, Barrow-in-Furness 12 nights
26 August 1877, The Era: 'Will Mitchison is an excellent comic'
2 September 1877, The Era:
WM:
'Musical Comedian and Comic Vocalist'
WM: >Pullan's, Bradford
WM: >Odd Fellows' Hall, Halifax
1878
20 January 1878, The Era: WM:
'the People's Comedian, Vocalist, and Instrumentalist' 'Good Agent
Required'
WM: >
Thornton's Varieties, Leeds
WM: >
Princess's Palace, Middlesbrough.
28 April 1878, The Era: WM:
'Character Comic vocalist and Instrumentalist, in his great
Impersonations of the Street Musician, with solos on the Cornet and the
Whistle' at Wear Music Hall, Sunderland for 3 weeks
5 May 1878, The Era: Another ad
showed that WM's popularity had secured an additional two weeks in
Sunderland. Now stipulating bookings at 'First-class halls only'
WM: >Oxford Theatre of Varieties, Brighton
20 August 1878, Sussex Daily News:
The newspaper review described WM: as 'another fresh face, [who] has a
budget of new and pleasing comic songs, and his humorous way of rendering
them created additional mirth. During his songs he plays some
capital selections on the cornet and metallic tube, showing that he is
possessed of instrumental as well as vocal ability.'
1 September 1878,The Era:
WM's ad is now entitled 'Willie the Whistler' and stress is placed on his
performance 'The Bold Bugler', words by Oswald Lee Esq and music by Alfred
Lee Esq 'Many thanks to dashing Dunbar for recommendation'
WM: >Mechanics', Hull
8 September 1878, The Era:
WM's
ad continues to build on his success: 'All New and Original songs by
the best Authors, introducing Musical Selections on the Cornet and the
Fife'' Alfred Lee is now being asked to send on music.
15 September 1878,The Era:
WM: 'No vacant dates this year' . 1879 is looking promising and
so the request for first-class halls reappears with a reminder of 'no
agent'.
WM: >Theatre Royal, Dewsbury
13 October 1878, The Era: Will
Mitcheson is asked to write (in an ad for Mr and Mrs Tom Arnold, the great
comic duettists).
20 October 1878, The Era:
Finishing run at People's, Manchester where WM claims to have had
'unbounded success' Another request for Alfred Lee to communicate.
WM: >Royal Pavilion, Sheffield
1879
3 January 1879, Aberdeen Weekly
Journal: WM: 'variety entertainer', McFarland's Grand Music
Hall
5 January 1879, The Era: 'the
Gentleman Comique', McFarland's Grand Music Hall review of
Will's performance: 'deservedly successful in comic songs and
pipe-playing'
6 January 1879, Aberdeen Weekly
Journal: 'Whistling Willie' now announces that he has been performing
in Scotland for 15 weeks with 'Gigantic success at the Saturday evening
concerts' and rebooking for the next season. His postal contact
address is given as the post office, Uddington, NB
2 March 1879, The Era: Wear
Music Hall, Sunderland, WM's fourth engagement there with re-engagement for
the next season.
WM: >Allen's Varieties, Burnley
16 March 1879, The Era: Will Mitcheson, comic, is appearing at Wear Music Hall. Another
description appears, although not so catchy at 'Whistling Willie'!: 'the
Kerbstone Joggerer' . Another request for Oswald Lee to communicate.
WM: >Effingham Hall, Rotherham
13 April 1879, The Era: WM:
Star Music Hall Carlisle
11 May 1879, The Era: WM:
Request for bookings. Allen's Varieties, Burnley: review: Will
is described as a 'character vocalist and whistler' whose first appearance
raised a 'hearty' welcome.
18 May 1879, The Era: WM:
Request for bookings
15 June 1879, The Era: WM:
'a comic of considerable ability' who was 'greeted with enthusiastic
appreciation' (Oxford Music Hall, Brighton)
WM: >Gordon's, Southampton
22 June 1879, The Era: WM:
'a comedian of sterling talent'
29 June 1879, The Era: WM:
Gordon's, Southampton
24 August 1879, The Era:
'Whistling Willie, the Bold Bugler': 3 weeks at the Harp Lounge, Ramsgate
1 September 1879 onwards: WM: Circus
Varieties, Hanley (with G. Leybourne Co.)
7 September 1879, The Era:
'whistling Willie' 'a
capital character singer, and takes well' Imperial Theatre, Hanley
14 September 1879, The Era:
WM: Alexandra Hall, Hanley
9 October 1879, Manchester Sporting
Chronicle: People's, Manchester: WM: 'a capital all-round artiste,
and he has become quite a favourite, and there is no doubt that as a
comedy, vocal, and musical entertainer there are few better'
19 October 1879, The Era: WM:
'Great Success', Scotia Music Hall, Glasgow
1880 -1885
1880
4 January 1880, The Era: WM:
McFarland's Music Hall > Opera House, Dundee
13 January 1880, Dundee Evening
Telegraph: Will Mitchison 'has achieved a gratifying success since his
first appearance on Monday last, and his various efforts to please are
received with loud and enthusiastic applause. The versatile nature
of Mr Mitchison's performances is very remarkable, as he is equally at
home in singing a comic song or giving a solo on the occarini or the
cornet.'
18 January 1880, The Era: Will
appears to be making a name for himself because of his varied talents.
Operetta House Dundee; review: Will's 'versatile entertainment is very
remarkable'.
WM: >Theatre Royal, Paisley
6 March 1880, Blyth Weekly News:
The Theatre Royal, Blyth, viewed Will as an old favourite who 'has
made great improvement during his absence, and got an enthusiastic
reception, and deservingly so. He is a host in himself and keeps the
audience in roars of laughter. Some of his old acquaintances can
hardly realise the progress he has made, his performance on the various
instruments is something marvellous. Great credit is due to him for
the attention he has given to his profession. It may be a long time
before he will be at Blyth again, and we would recommend our readers not
to miss this treat.'
4 April 1880, The Era: WM:
'The
Inimitable Musical Comique', Alhambra Palace, Hull
11 April 1880, The Era: WM:
'the
Music Man. Great Success', Alhambra Palace, Hull
18 April 1880, The Era: Rehearsal
posting included Will Mitchison for Alhambra, Blackburn and Star Theatre,
Darwen
11 July 1880, The Era:
Birmingham Concert Hall had attracted good houses with a company that
included Will Mitchison.
5 September 1880, The Era: 'Mr
Will. Mitcham, (late WILL MITCHISON), the Inimitable Vocal
and Musical Speciality Artiste. W.M. wishes to inform
proprietors and managers that in future he will be known as Will Mitcham.'
Harp Lounge, Ramsgate.
12 September 1880, The Era:
WM: 3rd week at Harp Lounge, Ramsgate.
17 October 1880, The Era: "Mr
W Mitcham (late Mitchison) unbounded success,
Barnard's Chatham. W. Mitcham will make his first appearance in London, at the Bedford, October
25th. W. Mitcham has no agent." [This refers to the Bedford North-Western
Palace of Varieties, Camden Town where a new company included Will Mitcham
- "First appearance in London".]
31
October 1880, The Era: The Bedford, London:
WM:
"appeared
first as a Jack Tar, and cheerily sang "Sailor William will be true to
thee". He next came forward wearing the uniform of a Grenadier
bugler. besides singing "March, March" etc, he gave specimens of
bugle calls. Subsequently he represented a street musician, who
calls himself "Tin Whistle Tom". He played cleverly on whistles and an
ocarina, and executed a solo on the cornet admirably. Mr Mitcham is
an amusing humorist, as well as an expert instrumentalist."
November 1880: WM: appeared at Scotia and
Brown's, Glasgow, where his reviews from the Bedford were quoted in
advertisements.
26 December 1880, The Era: "Mr.
Will Mitcham, the Inimitable Vocal and Musical Speciality Entertainer,
Private and Special Concerts, Glasgow. Mr Will Mitcham, London ,
Easter 1881, Three Halls. Agent A. Maynard"
1881
January 1881, Greenock Advertiser:
"Mr Will Mitcham was decidedly the hero of the evening, his singing and
solos being received with great enthusiasm"
12 March 1881, The Era: Gaiety
Music Hall, Dumfries: Will Mitcham was clearly a top star at this music
hall if the review can be believed: he "displays versatility both as a
vocal and instrumental artist".
21 & 28 May 1881, The Era:
WM: Sun Music
Hall, Knightsbridge: 'vocal and instrumental comic'
4 June 1881, The Era: Sun Music
Hall, Knightsbridge: "Mr Will Mitcham represented a rustic, singing of
everybody and everything about the farm being "Laughing mad". He
afterwards appeared in military uniform and carrying the British standard,
which he planted on the stage. He sang of "The Bugle's Call", and
gave specimens of his skill as a performer on the instrument to which his
song referred which evoked loud applause. As "Tin Whistle Tom" he
played on an ocarina and a tea-kettle and on two whistles at the same
time, and talked facetiously and acted comically."
2 July 1881, The Era: The
Middlesex: As well as WM's rustic act and his brilliant bugling, he
also imitated a Milanese piper, performed on the bagpipes and "showed how
he serenaded a girl by singing "Come to the window, Nell!" and playing a
pipe"
?1881,
Poster from South London Palace, including Maud and
Charles Ross 'The Juvenile Gems'
8 October 1881, The Era:
Maud Venner and Charlie
Ross, Harwood's; South London; Hoxton Varieties; Marylebone.
Business Director: Hugh J Didcott
15 October 1881, The Era:
Maud Venner and Charlie
Ross, ad re 6.45: Harwood's; 7.30: Middlesex; 8.15: South
London; 9.15: Hoxton Varieties; 10.20: Marylebone. Business
Director: Hugh J Didcott
12 November 1881, The Era:
Maud Venner and Charlie
Ross, ad re 8.15: South London; 9.45: Britannia Theatre; 11.00:
Collins's
31 Dec 1881, The Sporting Times:
Will Mitcham, The London Pavilion
1882
22 April 1882
Shoreditch Town Hall, Benefit for Arthur Lloyd included Will Mitcham,
programme at East London Theatre Archive
6 May 1882, The Era: Maud
and Charley Ross "talented duettists and
dancers", Star theatre, Ashton
13 May 1882, The Era: "Mr
Will Mitcham the inimitable Vocal and Musical Comique, Resting, Resting,
Resting Address A Maynard 6 York Road, Lambeth"
1882,
Poster from South London Palace, including Maud
and Charley Ross 'The Infant Wonders', 'The
latter of whom will give his inimitable imitation of Chirgwin'
June 1882,
Poster from South London Palace, Lambeth, including
Maud and Charley Ross
24 July 1882, East London Theatre
Archive: Programme for 'The widow and orphans, or, Faith, hope & charity',
written by C.H. Hazlewood, at Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, including
Maud and Charley Ross
7 September 1882, Liverpool Echo:
First appearance at the New Star Music Hall of
Maud and Charley Ross,
"The Little Gem and miniature white-eyed musical kaffir"
9 September 1882, Liverpool Mercury:
New Star Music Hall: "The duettists
Maud and Charley Ross
usually secure a well deserved encore.."
16 September 1882: as above, last night
of two performers
4 November 1882, The Era: "Mr.
Will Mitcham who made quite a striking figure as a Highlander in full
military uniform bearing a standard, sang well and played on the bugle
finely."
29 November 1882,
Poster from London Pavilion, Mr Sam Adams's Annual Benefit included
Will Mitcham as well as Maud and
Charles Ross on the bill
6 December 1882, Evanion Catalogue from
Middlesex Music Hall, included
Maud and Charley Ross
16, 23, 30 Dec 1882, The Sporting
Times:
Will Mitcham, The London Pavilion
16 December 1882, East London Theatre
Archive: Shoreditch Town Hall Programme included
Maud and Charley Ross,
'vocal duets and graceful dances by'
30 December 1882,
Poster from London Pavilion, included
Will Mitcham
30 December 1882: Announcement of the
opening of Robert Reece and Alfred Thompson's The Yellow Dwarf at
Her Majesty's Theatre,
Maud Ross in the cast
1883
6 January 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham
appearing at The London Pavilion (ad)
13 January 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham
mentioned as part of cast in review of The Pavilion (London) show
and also The Bedford where Will is described as 'a musician who invests
his instrumental solos with much "artistic merit", and his admirable
renderings on the Swiss pipe of an obbligato from Rossini's opera
William Tell, and Sir Henry Bishop's Bid Me Discourse
proclaimed the possession by him of executive ability and cultivated
taste, the audience both listening intently and applauding rapturously.'
20, 27 January 1883, The Era: Ad from London Pavilion, included
Will Mitcham
3 February 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham is very busy as this evening's schedule of appearances shows!
London Pavilion 7.35, Royal 8.35, Town Hall Shoreditch 9.30
10 February 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham at The South London Palace is described in a review as a performer
whose 'versatility is deserving of all commendation'.
10, 17, 24 February 1883, The
Sporting Times: Will Mitcham at The London Pavilion
17 February 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham 'appeared in military costume as a Highlander, sang in praise of
Wolseley, and others who were engaged in the late war in Egypt, and played
on a bugle finely. He also performed skilfully and amusingly as an Italian
piper.'
21 February 1883,
Poster from South London Palace, included Will Mitcham
24 February 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham
appearing at The London Pavilion (ad)
3 March 1883, The Era: Will
Mitcham appearing at The Royal, Holborn as 'an instrumental
comedian'
3, 10, 17 March 1883, The Sporting
Times: Will
Mitcham appearing at
5 March 1883, The Era: Will
Mitcham appeared at a benefit for Miss Lucie Thomas at the Central Hall
10 March 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham
appearing at The Royal, Holborn as 'an instrumental
comedian', and at the London Pavilion
17 March 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham sang a song at Arthur Lloyd's benefit at The London Pavilion. Also
appeared there and at the royal and at Gatti's in the Road.
24 March 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham, a capital instrumental comedian' who gave 'a satisfactory display
of his powers' included in a review of the show at The Royal, London
24 April 1883, Liverpool Mercury:
Will Mitcham to appear in New Star music Hall the following week.
5 May 1883, The Era: Will Mitcham as a comic at The Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead.
19 May 1883, Birkenhead Advertiser: "Mr
Will Mitcham, as usual, brought down the house with his songs and
accompaniments on the different instruments which he is such a perfect
master of, his solo on the cornet deserving special mention."
26 May 1883, The Era: "Mr.
Will Mitcham,
the great Vocal and Musical Speciality Comique, finished one of the most
successful engagements ever known at The Star Musical Hall, Liverpool,
four weeks Monday next, Circus Varieties, Warrington."
July 1883,
Poster from London Pavilion, included
Will Mitcham .
11 August 1883, Hampshire Telegraph
and Sussex Chronicle: Will Mitcham, 'The Geat Vocal and Musical
Entertainer' was advertised to appear from 13 August at the Amphitheatre,
Portsmouth
18 August 1883, Hampshire Telegraph
and Sussex Chronicle: Will Mitcham, 'The Geat Vocal and Musical
Entertainer' was advertised to appear from 20 August at the Amphitheatre,
Portsmouth
24 December 1883,
Poster from Trocadero and The Eden Theatre of London, Piccadilly, including
Maud and Charlie Ross
1884
Activities in 1884?
1885
7 February 1885, The Era: "Maud and Charley Ross
were evidently great favourites with the audience, as they deserved
to be.."
4 April 1885, The Era: Will
Mitcham was described as being in America. " Big success in a big country.
Address, care of Clipper, or Sporting and Theatrical Journal,
New York."
By 30 May 1885, Will had returned as
The Era reported: "Returns from America per
SS City of Chicago May
24th, after a most successful tour of the United States and Canada."
Work had to be arranged and so "Will Mitcham is at liberty to arrange for
first class Music Halls, Theatres, Aquariums, etc., for the Summer season.
Offers invited for early dates. New songs written by J. F. Mitchell,
composed by Will Mitcham, and duly perfected." Titles: "She
took up hat and overcoat" aka "Room enough for two"; "Don't you wish you
were me"; "The fellow that plays the kazoo"; "Knock at the window tonight
love"; "The girl in the candy store"; "When the bugle
calls to arms; or A red, red rose"; "Little
Nelly with her curly head of hair". His agent was then H. J. Didcott
and his contact address was Star Music Hall, Liverpool.
By 6 June 1885, The Era: As
above
13 June 1885, The Era: Rehearsal
call for Will Mitcham at the Haymarket Music Hall, Liverpool
20 June 1885, The Era: WM:
?
11 July 1885, The Era: Will Mitcham returned to the Birmingham Concert Hall where 'his musical melange
has proved very attractive'
18 July 1885, The Era: Will Mitcham to appear at the Lyceum Theatre, Blackburn from following week.
15 August 1885, The Era: Will
Mitcham 'minstrel'
5 September 1885, The Preston
Guardian: New Public Hall, Preston ad: 'The Great Will Mitcham in his
new Musical and Vocal Entertainment, first appearance since his successful
American tour'
26 September 1885, The Era:
WM's American tour had affected his image!: 'the Great Anglo-American
Vocal and Musical Comique'
3 October 1885, The Era: Ad
included Will Mitcham 'in his musical and mimical melange' at The Albion
Music Hall, Bury
24 October 1885, The Era: Will Mitcham in rehearsal call for Star Music Hall, Manchester
30 October 1885, The Hull Packet and
East Riding Times: "Maud and Charley Ross
are old favourites at the Alhambra, and their present visit this
week will be welcomed by all who attend this place of amusement.
Their singing is very pleasing, whilst their dancing brings forth
deafening applause, and their performances are enthusiastically redemanded."
5 December 1885, The Era:
review: Will Mitcham at the South London Palace not only sang in military
uniform but gave a display of his skill as a bugler.
19 December 1885, The Era: Will Mitcham advertised for an engagement over Christmas presumably because of
the 'misarrangement' he mentions.
1886 - 1890
1886
2 January 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham
'as an Italian piper, calls back the doings of "the great
Dunbar".' Show review of The Canterbury, London
9 January 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham included in an ad for the coming show at the Canterbury Theatre of
Varieties
13 February 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham in rehearsal call for Collins's Music Hall, Islington Green
3 - 10 April 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham
letter awaits
24 April 1886, The Sporting Times: Will Mitcham,
'transatlantic comedian' at The Royal, Holborn
1 May 1886, The Era: Ad for 'Mr
Will Mitcham, the Great Vocal and Musical Anglo-American Comique, Gigantic
Success, Royal 8.15' H J Didcott CMHAA was declared his sole agent.
1 May 1886, The Sporting Times: Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross, at The Royal, Holborn
8 May 1886, The Era: 'Married by
special licence at Christ Church, Westminster Bridge Road, Sunday May 2d,
William Mitchelson, professionally known as Will Mitcham to
Miss Harriet Sarah Ann Gaut, professionally
known as Miss Maud Ross (of Maud and Charlie Ross)'
Because of her surname's misprint, she wrote in to add the correction
'HSA Gant, daughter of W Gant, late of Holmes
and Gant' in the following week's newspaper.
? 30 June 1886,
Poster For James Deacon's Benefit at North London Palace of Varieties Music Hall, including Maud
Ross
and Charles Ross
10 July 1886, The
Era: Will Mitcham topped the bill at Frame's Royal Concert Hall,
Glasgow where his vocal and instrumental contributions 'meet with deserved
favour'.
17 - 31 July 1886,
The Era: Letter/s awaited Will Mitcham in London while he was
appearing at the Gaiety Theatre, Warrington.
18 September 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham at Philharmonic, Cardiff 'in a well-arranged musical
entertainment, hits the tastes of his patrons' while
Maud and Charlie Ross 'clever sketch
delineators, win much applause'.
25 September 1886, The Era: Will Mitcham and Maud and
Charlie Ross appeared at Philharmonic, Cardiff
8 October 1886, Liverpool Mercury:
Will Mitcham at the Grand Theatre, Liverpool
12 October 1886, Liverpool Mercury:
Miss Maud Ross and
Master Charley Ross at the New Star Music Hall whose 'variety
programme is one of the most pleasing features of the evening'. Will
Mitcham at the Grand Theatre
6 December 1886,
Poster from
Middlesex
Music Hall, Holborn included Maud and
Charlie Ross
11 December 1886,
The Era: Will Mitcham, 'capital vocalist' in show review of Gaiety
Music Hall Wolverhampton
1887
19 February 1887, The Era:
Alhambra Palace, Belfast. According to the notice, Will Mitcham
had been very successful in the Star Music Hall Dublin and was thanking D.
Lowrey of the Star for allowing him to appear at the Children's Fancy Ball
in aid of St Michael's Hospital, Kingstown , 'being Specially Engaged by
the Committee and being complimented all round for his artistic and
refined entertainment'. Interestingly it was also announced that he
had bought the rights to the song 'Love, wilt thou be my own' from
Jake Eduard, by H. Starr, and also 'Love in a cottage' by Duffy, music by
Jonghmans, for Maud Ross.
7 May 1887, The Era: Ad
showing that Will and Maud have combined: 'Mr.
Will Mitcham, the Great
Vocal and Musical Speciality Artist; also Miss Maud Ross (late of
Maud and
Charlie Ross) the Refined Serio, Tyrolean Vocalist, Guitar Soloist, and
American Song and Dance Artist. Gigantic success at Gaiety,
Newcastle. Monday next, Grand, Liverpool. Address as above; or, at
H.J. Didcott.'
14 and 21 May 1887, The Era: A
week later, the ad becomes even more informative: 'Two Distinct Speciality
Turns. Mr. Will Mitcham, the Great Anglo-American Vocal and Musical
Comique, also Miss Maud Ross (late of
Maud and Charlie Ross) the Refined Serio, Ballad and Tyrolean Vocalist, Guitar Soloist, and American Song and
Dance Artist. Great success, Grand, Liverpool, every evening. London, Whit
Monday. Address as above; or, at H.J. Didcott.'
4 June 1887, The Era: 'Two
distinct speciality turns': ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross appearing at Belmont's Varieties and Sebright Hackney
Road every evening. Maud was singled out.
11, 18, 25 June 1887, The Era:
'Two distinct speciality turns': ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross appearing at Washington Palace Battersea.
2, 9 July 1887, The Era: 'Two
distinct speciality turns': ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross appearing at Washington Palace Battersea. Address:
22 Paris St, Lambeth
23 July 1887, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Royal Clarence Theatre, Dover.
29 July 1887, Dover Express quoted in
ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
dated 6 August. It was said that she was 'a
charming little lady, whose abilities are far above the average, both as a
vocalist, guitarist, and dancer. She has been enthusiastically applauded
by the large audience who have attended during the week.'
13 August 1887,
The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross appearing at Royal Aquarium, Great Yarmouth the following
week.
20 August 1887,
The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross appearing at Connaught Varieties, Norwich the following
week.
3 September 1887, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Connaught Varieties, Norwich for another three weeks 'with
benefit'.
10 September 1887, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Vento's, Portsmouth the following week.
Although their ad sang their praises
and also emphasised Maud's American song and
dance expertise, they were not fully booked up as their ads of September
showed. However, by October, they were working again, at Criterion
varieties, Sheerness.
22 October 1887, The Era:
The usual ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
said they had been appearing at the Gaiety music hall in Hanley and that
they were about to commence an engagement at the Victoria Theatre, Bolton.
22 October 1887, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at the Alexandra, Wigan, the following week.
5 November 1887, The Era:
Rehearsal notice for Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross to appear at the Grand Circus of Varieties, Rochdale.
12 November 1887, The Era:
Rehearsal notice for Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross to appear at the Theatre Royal of Varieties, Grimsby.
26 November 1887, The Era: The
usual ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
said they had been appearing at the Palace in Nottingham and that they
were about to commence an engagement at the Folly, Manchester.
3 December 1887, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
1888
21 January 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
the Royal Standard Music Hall, Pimlico
28 January 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing
at the Standard (Will also at Gatti's). The ad is significant
in its praise of Maud, citing The Era's
review: "That there is room for all styles in
the hearts of the Standard patrons is shown by the popularity of Miss Maud Ross,
a serio and dancer of delicacy and refinement. Miss Ross's style is
delicate and elegant, and her dancing in hessians is of the most finished
sort. She was rapturously recalled to the stage after her third turn. A
yodel song and a ballad 'Pretty Bird' were her vocal selections." Will Mitcham
also received praise: " his playing on different instruments is clever,
and his style genial and humorous.... he recites capitally with musical
accompaniment, and, dressed as a pifferaro, playing on the flageolet,
imitates a Milanese piper, gives an imitation of different dialects, and
also manipulates the bugle in many ingenious ways, attired in picturesque
military Highland garb." Address: 184 Lambeth Road, SE.
4 February 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
Paul's Varieties, Leicester.
11 February1888: 'at liberty'
18 February 1888, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Museum, Birmingham.
3 March 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
Museum, Birmingham and to go on to Star, Bradford.
10 March 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
Oxford Palace, Middlesbrough.
7 April 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross who had been
appearing at the Gaiety, Halifax.
23, 30 April and 3 May 1888, Glasgow
Herald: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at the Scotia Music Hall.
2 June 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross who had been
appearing at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead where Will Mitcham
topped the bill, commended in the review as a 'clever Anglo American
artist and musical comedian'.
4 August 1888, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross (one of the
ladies providing 'feminine attractions') appearing at Paul's Concert Hall,
Leicester.
26 October 1888: Will Mitcham
('30'), wife ('25') and
Maud ('3' months) arrive in New York from Liverpool on board the
'City of Rome'
8, 15 December 1888, The Era: "English artists meet with success in America Vide
New York Clipper, Nov. 7th 1888. Mr. Will Mitcham,
Miss Maud Ross
now on Tour with Nelson's World Combination. Address, "Clipper"
Office, or box 1,075,
Streator, Ills."
1889
12 January 1889, The Era: "English artists meet with success in America Vide
New York Clipper, Nov. 7th 1888. Mr. Will Mitcham,
Miss Maud Ross
now on Tour with Nelson's World Combination. Address, "Clipper"
Office, or box 1,075,
Streator, Ills."
27 April 1889, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross who had just
returned from a successful American tour and were currently appearing at
Theatre Royal, Sunderland followed by Oxford Palace of Varieties,
Middlesbrough.
30 April 1889, Northern Echo:
Review re Will Mitcham ('readily enlists the goodwill of the
audience') and Maud Ross (one of the ladies who
provided a 'pleasant diversion') who were appearing at Oxford
Palace of Varieties, Middlesbrough.
31 August 1889, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross who would be
appearing at Forester's, Queen's, Washington and had been hired by the
'Barnum of the north' FW Frame for a three months' tour of Scotland with
his concert party beginning in Bank Holiday 1890. Once again F.
Higham appears as their agent instead of Didcott.
21 September 1889, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham (appearing at the Cambridge and Peckham's) and
Maud Ross (Peckham's), followed by Queen's and Washington.
28 September 1889, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham (appearing at the Queen's and Washington) and
Maud Ross (Washington).
12 October 1889, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham (appearing at the Queen's, Poplar and Standard) and
Maud Ross (Queen's).
19 October 1889, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham (appearing at the Standard) and
Maud Ross (appearing at the Cambridge and Washington), with Queen's
the following week.
2 November 1889, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham (appearing at Queen's, Poplar) and
Maud Ross (appearing at Queen's, Poplar).
9 November 1889, Playbill:
Charles Ross 'Dainty Champion' from the Gaiety appeared at Gatti’s Villiers Street
9 November 1889, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Queen's, Poplar;
Charles Ross still with Hugh J Didcott as
agent was making an impression. London Pavilion, Royal, South London, and
Gatti's (Arches). The Daily Despatch was quoted as commenting
that Mr Charles Ross was the best item on the bill in the South London
Palace Company.
16 November 1889, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross,
both 'resting'
21 December 1889, The Era:
Rehearsal ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at St James's Hall, Plymouth.
1890
15 February 1890, The Era:
Positive review for Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross appearing at the Palace, Nottingham.
8 March 1890, The Era: Review
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Alhambra, Brighton.
24 May 1890, The Era: Review of
17 May is quoted for Maud Ross, appearing at
Belmont's, who is remembered appearing with her brother and now, though
wooed and married, 'still sings ballads prettily' and her dancing, too, in
top boots is a saltatory exercise that brings the house down'.
21 June 1890, The Era: Rehearsal
ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at
Queen's, Poplar.
2, 16 August; 6, 13, 20, 27 September;
4, 11, 25 October 1890, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross were on a three months' tour of Scotland with his concert
party, contactable at 22 Sandyford Street, Glasgow, or through Oliver and
Holmes. on the 25 October, the tour was over with re-engagement
promised for 3 more seasons. The contact was still through their
agents Oliver and Holmes, but the address: 18 Greek Street, Liverpool.
25 October 1890, The Era: Review
of Frame's Concert, Govanhill: 'William Meecham showed considerable
skill in his cornet solos'; Maud Ross also
complimented. The review gives reasons for the show's success as
there were no encores or 'waits' and so each performer took the stage as
the former artist left, thereby giving two solid hours of performance
appreciated by the standing-room-only audience.
8 November 1890, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
Paddington Palace, Liverpool.
15 November 1890, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Alexandra, Wigan.
22 November 1890, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Lyceum Theatre, Blackburn.
29 November 1890, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Rudge's Palace of Varieties, Ashton-under-Lyne.
6 December 1890, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
Albion Theatre, Bury.
13 December 1890, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Victoria Hall, Morley.
20 December 1890, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at Oxford Music Hall, Middlesbrough
27 December 1890, The Era:
Rehearsal for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
for Thornton's Theatre of Varieties, South Shields.
1891 - 1895
1891
3 January 1891, The Era:
Rehearsal for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
for The Royal, Sunderland.
17 January 1891, The Era:
Rehearsal for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
for New Alhambra, West Hartlepool.
24 January 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross and 'phizorama'
for Britannia Music Hall, Glasgow.
31 January 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross and 'phizorama'
described as 'a grand pictorial musical entertainment' it was
stressed that all could be engaged separately and there were vacant
dates... Britannia Music hall to be played the following week.
7 February 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross and 'phizorama'
at the Palace, Nottingham.
14 February 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross to
appear at the Alhambra, Brighton.
21 February 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at the Alhambra, Brighton.
28 February 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at the Middlesex.
7 March 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross appearing at
the Middlesex.
14 March 1891, The Era: Ad for Charles Ross
'Dainty Champion' from the Gaiety appearing at South London.
21 March 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross 'resting'
before concert tour start on 30 March.
28 March 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham appears to have gone on the Scottish tour without
Maud Ross who still 'resting' 86 Upper Kennington Lane. The
first stop of his itinerary was Linlithgow.
4, 11 April 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham on the Scottish tour without
Maud Ross who still 'resting'
17 April 1891, Aberdeen Weekly
Journal: Ad re Frame's tour performance at Stonehaven on the
18th. Will Mitcham to play Milanese Serenade 'Open your
window, Melinda'; Musical Military Scene and Cornet Solo;
Maud Ross was supposed to perform Serenade with guitar
accompaniment; song and dance 'Yes I love him so'; Excelsior Top Boot
Dance. However, in the era she is shown to be still resting.
25 April 1891, The Era: Ad for
Will Mitcham on the Scottish tour without
Maud Ross who still 'resting'
9 May 1891, The Era:
Princess's Palace, Leeds. Rehearsal ad: Artists from 11 May would be
including Will Mitcham and Maud Ross.
16 May 1891, The Era: Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Metropole, Birkenhead.
23 May 1891, The Era: Review of Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Metropole, Birkenhead, describes Maud as' a charming artist'.
30 May 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Parthenon, Liverpool. Contact 18 Greek Street
6 June 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Westminster.
23 June1891, The Era: Review of Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Empire, Cardiff, complimented Maud on her singing and dancing that
raised encores and Will particularly on his cornet playing.
25 June 1891, Western Mail:
Empire, Cardiff: announcement of evening's show gave second billing to
Will and Maud.
27 June 1891, The Era: Empire,
Cardiff: "Miss Maud Ross is an excellent artist; and
Will Mitcham,
instrumentalist, is popular"
27 June 1891, The Era: Rehearsal
call for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Swansea Pavilion.
11 July 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Gaiety, Leicester.
25 July 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Gaiety, Leicester. Also announced they were resting before
the Scottish concert tour.
1 August 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour.
15, 22 August 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour.
15 August 1891, The Era: Ad for Charles Ross
appearing at London Pavilion.
4 & 11 Sept 1891, The Era:
New Empire Palace of Varieties, Leicester: WM: 'variety entertainer
/ instrumentalist'
19 September 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour.
3 October 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour, next leg in Bathgate.
10 October 1891, The Era:
Miss Maud
Venner as
Mademoiselle Anastasia in The Acrobat at Theatre Royal, Birmingham
10 October 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour, next leg in Ayr. 'Good song required. price
no object.' Ad for Charles Ross
appearing at Empire, Cardiff.
17 October 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on the Scottish concert tour, next leg in Port Glasgow
31 October 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
who had finished the Scottish concert tour, and were to appear at the
Alhambra Pavilion, Aberdeen.
7 November 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
who were to appear at Archer's Concert hall, Govan, followed the next day
by performances at Lithgow's Concert, Larkhall. 39 Dunmore Street,
Glasgow.
28 November 1891, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Grand Circus of Varieties, Rochdale.
5 December 1891, The Era: Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
who had just appeared at Gaiety Theatre, Oldham and were due to appear at
Victoria Hall, Bolton.
12 December 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
due to appear at Alexandra, Wigan.
19 December 1891, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
due to appear at People's Manchester. Clearly, writers had responded
to their notice for good comic songs as they thanks senders for their
songs. Review of the Manchester performance showed they were still
delivering well-appreciated competent performances.
19 December 1891, The Era:
Maud
Venner 'in
every way acceptable as Hera' in review of production at Grand Theatre
Derby.
26 December 1891, The Era:
Review of the Manchester performance showed Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
were still delivering well-appreciated competent performances.
26 December 1891, The Era:
Rudge's Varieties, Ashton-under-Lyne: 'William Mitcham, instrumentalist,
is very clever'
1892
2 January 1892, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Scotia Variety Theatre, Glasgow.
9 January 1892, The Era: Sound
review for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Scotia Variety Theatre, Glasgow.
16, 23 January 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Olympia Theatre, Belfast. Reviewed on 30 January.
30 January 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Parthenon, Liverpool
6 February 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Parthenon, Liverpool. Ad for Charles Ross
appearing at
Metropolitan Music Hall.
13 February 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Empire, Newport.
23 February 1892, Western Mail:
Positive review for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Empire, Newport.
27 February 1892, The Era: Positive
review for Will Mitcham 'ever a favourite here' and Maud Ross
at Empire, Cardiff.
27 February 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
performing next at Star Music Hall, Bradford.
5 March 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
performing at Star Music Hall, Bradford, next at Oddfellows' Hall Halifax.
12 March 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
performing at Oddfellows' Hall Halifax, next at the Circus, Wakefield.
19 March 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
performing at Grand Theatre, Stockton on Tees.
19 March 1892, The Era:
Maud
Venner, one
of cast at Her Majesty's, Carlisle
26 March 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
next on their fourth Scottish concert tour.
2, 9, 16 April 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on their fourth Scottish concert tour.
16 April 1892, Aberdeen Weekly
Journal:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on their fourth Scottish concert tour included details of performances
that evening: Will Mitcham to play Musical Military Scene (Cornet
Solo à la Levy) and bassoon solo 'Rock'd in the cradle of the deep';
Maud Ross was to perform song and dance 'TA RA RA BOOM DE AY';
Excelsior Top Boot Dance; song 'He was whistling as happy as a bird'.
23 April 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
on their fourth Scottish concert tour.
14 May 1892, The Era: Review
for Will Mitcham and 'charming' Maud Ross
at the Gaiety Palace, Sheffield.
14 May 1892, The Era: Ad
for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross - 'the
big little artist'.
21 May 1892, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at the
Gaiety Palace, Sheffield, then on to Gaiety Wolverhampton.
28 May 1892, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
for Westminster Smith Street, Liverpool
25 June 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at
Crystal Palace, Birmingham. Greek street address for contact.
2 July 1892, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at Days
Concert Hall, Birmingham in which Will is described in the review as a
'cosmopolitan character vocalist'.
4 July 1892, The Dart - Birmingham
Pictorial:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at Day's
Crystal Palace, Birmingham
9 July 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross who
are to appear at Sydenham Palace Coventry.
16 July 1892, The Era:
Review for Will Mitcham ('a treat') and
Maud Ross ('sings and dances charmingly') who are to appear at
Sydenham Palace Coventry.
23, 30 July 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at
Gaiety Leicester.
6 August 1892, The Era:
Reviews for Will Mitcham (applauded every night for his able
performance on a variety of instruments) and
Maud Ross ('clever' singer and dancer) at Poplar Music Hall
Ilkeston. Next engagement Rudge's Ashton > People's Manchester >
Empire Hanley > Star Bradford > Princess's Leeds.
13 August 1892, The Era:
Reviews for Will Mitcham (as a humourist is a great favourite)
and Maud Ross ('popular') at Rudge's Ashton.
27 August 1892, The Era:
Review for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at People's Manchester. Also ad re pair thanking Oliver and Holmes for
offer of America tour and Col Dyke for 9 month tour.
17 September 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at Empire Hanley.
17 September 1892, The Era:
Star Music Hall, Bradford: 'Miss Maud Ross, vocalist, dancer, and
instrumentalist; Mr Will Mitcham, instrumentalist'
24 September 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
just at Prince's Preston, then on to appear at Town Hall Rochdale.
1 October 1892, The Era:
Rehearsal call.
From 3 October, Will and Maud to appear at the Princess's Palace, Leeds
8 October 1892, The Era:
Article re Maud Ross who received 'three
splendid rubies' from S S Baldwin, the Butterfly company 'as a mark
of esteem' at Rochdale Town Hall the previous Saturday.
15 October 1892, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross were
resting but announced a brief season at South London 24/29 October.
Contact address 238 Kennington Road, SE.
12 November 1892, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross were due to
leave on a short provincial tour (first stop Royal York Southampton).
26 November 1892, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross announced
their contact address as Haymarket Liverpool.
10 December 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
to appear at People's Palace, Portsmouth. Still advertising for good
songs!
17, 24 December 1892, The Era:
Review mentioned Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross appearing / re-engaged at People's Palace, Portsmouth.
31 December 1892, The Era:
Ad for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
appearing at the Empire, Cardiff > Empire, Swansea.
1893
24 October 1893, The
New York Times:
Maud Venner as Stephano in The Merchant of Venice at Hermann's
16 December 1893, Western Mail:
Charlie Ross was billed to appear at the Empire,
Cardiff, described as 'The Comedian from the Gaiety Theatre, London' with
the catchphrase, 'She do, I know she do'. This was probably his last
billing, and, in the light of his illness and death, it's unlikely that he
appeared as announced.
28 December 1893, Western Mail:
'DEATH OF A COMEDIAN AT CARDIFF
William George Gant, well-known as
Charlie Ross, the comedian of the variety stage, died from decline at
25 Patridge-road, Cardiff, on Christmas Day. The deceased, who was
only twenty-four years of age, had already gained brilliant success in his
profession, and was in his private life cheerful and bright, being much
beloved by all that knew him. He started professional life with his
father,
Mr Gant,
in Mr Hamilton's company at the Amphitheatre, Holborn, while yet almost a
boy, and has since been through all the music-halls of London. The
deceased at one time had a three years' engagement at the Gaiety Theatre,
London, which was attended with great success. A curious coincidence
of how the deceased came to adopt the name of "Charlie Ross" is reported.
When a little boy he went with his mother on a visit to Liverpool to see
his father, who was engaged at the Star Theatre there. While in
Liverpool they were introduced to some of Sam Hague's Minstrels, and the
remark was passed that the little boy was very like
Charlie Ross of America.
Mr Gant, hearing this, thought that if
ever his son went on the boards, he would give him the name of "Charlie
Ross" and that name was borne by the deceased all through his professional
career. While staying in a certain town a short time after his start
two detectives got into conversation with the deceased. They had
noticed that the lad was remarkably like a "Charlie Ross" who had been
kidnapped from his home, and, producing a photo, the features of the lost
lad and the little artiste were almost identical. Thinking that they
had got hold of the right lad, they questioned him, but, after hearing the
boy's answers, they found they were on the wrong track.. Some years
ago, when the deceased was playing the title role in the Yellow Dwarf
in Her Majesty's Theatre, London, Charlie was called up to the
Prince of Wales's box, and was congratulated by the Prince and Princess
and their two sons of his acting.. He had always been a devoted son,
and never travelled without his mother., who has now taken the name of
Ross. His sister, Maude
Ross, was engaged for the Newport Empire this week, but, owing to the sad
occurrence, has not appeared. The
deceased elder brother is also at Cardiff at present. He has been
unable to perform for about eight weeks owing to his illness, and this was
the cause of his non-appearance at the Cardiff Empire the week before
last. The funeral will take place from Mr Rees' house, on Friday at
one o'clock.'
30 December 1893, The Era:
'Our music hall readers will
hear with regret of the death of Mr Charles Ross, the news of whose death
at Cardiff became current on Boxing Night at the London Pavilion, where
the deceased comedian was engaged as one of the Christmas company.
He succumbed on Christmas Day, at the age of twenty-four, after four
weeks' serious illness, to a pulmonary complaint.
Mr CHARLES ROSS, who
was left an orphan at an early age, appeared as a child with his sister
Maud, under the auspices of Mr Didcott, who procured them a run of
engagements at the music halls, where they became exceedingly popular.
Soon after Miss Maud Ross married Mr Will Mitcham, Charles went to the
Gaiety to fulfil a three years' engagement with Mr George Edwardes.
Mr ROSS, whose real
name was William George Gant, made his first appearance beneath the beams
of the "sacred lamp" in a small part in Monte Cristo. His
responsibilities increased with his experience, and though his
step-dancing, of which he was a most graceful exponent, was invariably
utilised, he was given in later Gaiety productions more scope for his
acting talent. He appeared at one of Miss Farren's benefits as one
of the urchins in Squeer's school, in a scene from Nicholas Nickleby,
the lamented Fred, Leslie being the Nicholas, and also went on tour in
Gaiety burlesque. When quite a lad Master Charlie Ross, as he was
then called, played the part of Gambogee, in the unfortunate production,
on Dec. 30th, 1882, at Her Majesty's, of Robert Reece and Alfred
Thompson's extravaganza, The Yellow Dwarf.
His father was a well
known entertainer, who was at one time in partnership with Mr Tom Holmes.
The deceased comedian - who, at the time of his death was staying at the
house of his friend, Mr F. Rees, in Cardiff - was buried yesterday.
Charles Ross was an excellent son, and was the main support of a widowed
mother. His indifferent health has prevented him working for more
than four months during the present year.'
1894
6 January 1894, The Era:
'The funeral of William George Gant, better known in
the profession as "Charlie Ross" the comedian and dancer, who died of
consumption...... took place on Friday 29th ult. The body was
enclosed in a polished coffin with massive brass furniture, and the plate
bore the simple inscription "William George Gant, died December 25, 1893,
aged twenty-four years." Among the mourners present were Mrs Gant,
his mother; Mr G.W. Gant, his brother; Mr and
Mrs Mitcham, sister and
brother in law; and Mr and Mrs Rees, Mr and Mrs Captain Williams, Mr and
Mrs Carrick, and Mr C Bryant, Portsmouth. Amongst those present, in
addition to the principal mourners, were Messrs J. E. Lewis, G. Harrington
(manager of the Alhambra, Cardiff), T. James, Ambrose Jenkins, John
Powell, Alec Pringle, Fred Searl, George Mitchell, M. Burton, Charlie
Johns, and Mr and Mrs O'Donnell.'
12 January 1894, Manchester
Times: 'Mr. W. G. Grant,
known in the profession as "Charlie Ross", a young comedian of bright
promise, once a member of the Gaiety Company, died at the house of his
friend, Mr F. Reece, in Cardiff, on Christmas Day. He was only in
his 24th year, a life too short both for friendship and for fame.'
30 January 1894, Bristol Mercury and Daily Post:
Review of show at The People's Palace, Bristol: 'Will Mitcham in some
Clever Vocal and musical speciality business, provides a capital turn.'
'Miss Maud Ross (a smart Tyrolean vocalist and
top-boot dancer)'
6 February 1894, Bristol Mercury and Daily Post:
Show review at People's Palace: Will: 'a clever character vocalist'
7 and 8 and 9 February 1894, Bristol Mercury and
Daily Post: Will and Maud still at
Bristol's people's Palace
11 May
1894, The New York Times:
Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Theatre
Stock Company: Maud Venner to be added to the
company during the next season.
12 May 1894, The Era: Will Mitcham, 'clever
Maud Ross' at the Scotia, Glasgow
21 and 22 and 25 and 31 May 1894, The Belfast
News-letter: Will and Maud billing at the
Alhambra, Belfast
1 June 1894, The Belfast News-letter: Will and
Maud billing at the Alhambra, Belfast
14 July 1894, The Era: 'Will Mitcham, comedian,'
'Maud Ross, guitarist and song and dance artist'
at the Victoria Theatre of Varieties, Bolton
11 August 1894, The Era: 'Will Mitcham, vocalist
and comedian,' at the New Palace of Varieties, Leicester
25 August 1894, The Era: 'Will Mitcham, vocalist
and instrumentalist,' 'Maud Ross, serio and dancer'
at the Royal Standard Music Hall
18 November 1894,
The
New York Times:
Maude Venner as one of the 'amusing types of the French character'
in Daniel Frohman's company of players who were to perform A Woman's
Silence (based on the original by Victorien Sardou) at the Lyceum.
21 November
1894, The New
York Times: Maude Venner listed in
the cast as Baroness von Stannitz in A Woman's Silence at the
Lyceum.
1 December
1894, The Era: Victoria Music
Hall, Morley: show review: 'Mr Will Mitcham is accorded an enthusiatistic
receptions, his instrumental selections being especially enjoyable' ''Maud
Ross, an excellent dancer'
1 December
1894, The Era: Parthenon Music
Hall, Liverpool billing for Will and Maud 'ballad
vocalist'
3 December
1894: Will and Maud
at the rehearsal, Princess's Palace, Leeds.
29 December 1894, The Era: 'IN
MEMORIAM, -In ever loving memory of Charlie Ross (W.G.Gant), who departed
this died Dec. 25th 1893. Gone, but not forgotten by his loving
relatives.'
1895
5 January 1895, The Era:
Parthenon Music Hall, Liverpool billing for Will and
Maud now 'a burlesque actress and dancer'
19 January 1895, The Era: The
Empire, Cardiff: 'the ever-popular Will Mitcham' ;
Maud 'effective ballad music and top boot efforts'
24 and 26 January 1895, The Western
Mail: Will and Maud shared billing with 'Raffin's
Learned Pig, Jockey Monkeys and Galloping Donkey'! at The Empire, Newport
9 February 1895, The Era: St
James's Hall, Plymouth billing for Will and Miss
Maude Ross
11 and 13 and 15 and 18 and 19 February
1895, The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post: Billing for Will and
Maud at The People's Palace, Bristol
23 February 1895, The Bristol
Mercury and Daily Post: Maud and
Will 'a good turn as a Milanese piper etc' at The People's Palace, Bristol
2 March 1895, The Era: People's
Palace, Newcastle, billing
Maud and Will
9 March 1895, The Era: People's Palace,
Newcastle, review mentioned 'Miss Maud Ross;
Will Mitcham, comedian'
16 March 1895, The Era: People's
Palace, Sunderland, review mentioned Miss Maud Ross;
Will Mitcham,
'a great favourite, scores well with his versatility'. Also, Will
contributed 10s to Ernest Sheldon's testimonial benefit in Newcastle.
6 April 1895, The Era: People's
Palace, Aberdeen, billing
Maud and Will
20 April 1895, The Era: People's
Palace, Dundee, billing
Maud and Will, where her serio-comedy is popular.
4 May 1895, The Era: Rehearsal
call, Alhambra Belfast for
Maud and Will
6 - 11 May 1895, The Belfast
News-letter: Alhambra Belfast, billing for
Maud and Will
11 May 1895,The Era: Alhambra
Belfast, billing for
Maud and Will
13 - 18 May 1895, The Belfast
News-letter: Alhambra Belfast, billing for
Maud and Will
8 June 1895,The Era: People's
Concert Hall, Manchester, review: Will's versatility and
Maud proficiency in song and dance get a brief mention; a week
later Will is still versatile;
Maud's act as a comedienne is also added.
15 June 1895,The Era: Call to
rehearsal from 17 June for
Maud and Will at Princess's Palace, Leeds
1 July 1895, Liverpool Mercury:
ad for show at The Palace, New Brighton includes
Maud and Will
6 - 13 July 1895,The Era: Ad and
Review of show at The Palace, New Brighton includes
Maud and Will who are supposedly 'in high favour'
27 July 1895,The Era: Parthenon,
Liverpool, billing includes
Maud and Will
3 August 1895,The Era: Victoria
Theatre of Varieties, Bolton, billing includes
Maud 'serio-comedienne and dancer' and Will 'musical and speciality
artist'
17 August 1895,The Era: New
Empire Palace of Varieties, Leicester:
Maud 'vocalist and top-boot dancer' and Will 'musical and
speciality entertainer'
14 September 1895, The Era:
Barnard's Palace of Varieties, Chatham, review:
Maud 'proves very deserving' and Will 'comes in for a good share of
applause'. Call to rehearsal for
Maud and Will for following week at Phoenix Music Hall, Dover
28 September 1895, The Era:
Royal Standard, Victoria;
Maud and Will on support billing for Grand International Wrestling
Tournament
2 November 1895, The Era: Grand
Circus of varieties, Rochdale: call to rehearsal for
Maud and Will
30 November 1895, The Era:
Empire Palace, Hanley: Will the 'instrumentalist'. also a news
item reported that
Maud and Will had been booked for the Stoll, Livermore, and Moss
and Thornton tours for 1896
14
December 1895,
The Era: rehearsal call for 16th for Will and
Maud
at
Princess's Palace, Leeds
28 December 1895,
The Era: 'ROSS, - In loving memory of W.G.Gant (Charlie Ross) comedian, who died at
Cardiff Dec. 25th 1893. Gone, but never forgotten by his loving relatives.
R.I.P.'
1896 - 1900
1896
4 January 1896, The Era:
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead:
bill included Will 'proves himself a vocal and instrumental
entertainer of ability' and Maud, serio and
terpsichorean artiste, gives an agreeable turn'
25 January 1896, The Era:
Empire, Swansea bill included Will and Maud,
8 February 1896, The Era:
St James's Hall, Plymouth: bill included Will and Maud,
15 February 1896, The Era:
St James's Hall, Plymouth: bill included Will and Maud,
19 February 1896, The Era: St
James's Hall, Plymouth: bill included Will whose 'cornet and pipe solos
are distinctly good' and Maud,
19 February 1896, The Bristol
Mercury and Daily Post: People's Palace, Bristol bill included Will
and Maud,
22 February 1896, The Era:
People's Palace, Bristol bill included Will and Maud,
24 - 26 February 1896, The Bristol
Mercury and Daily Post: People's Palace, Bristol bill included
Will and Maud, contributed items that were greatly
appreciated'
29 February 1896, The Era:
Palace, Bristol bill included Will and Maud
'smart step dancer'
17 , 19 March 1896, Northern Echo:
Grand Variety and Opera House, Stockton bill included Will and Maud
28 March 1896, The Era:
New Grand Varieties, Bolton, bill included Will 'character
impersonator' and Maud
18 April 1896, The Era:
In an ad for work, WM and Maud's address is given as Post Office, Prudhoe on
Tyne
2 May 1896, The Era:
Empire Variety Theatre, Newcastle bill included Will and Maud
13 June 1896, The Era:
People's Palace, Bradford: bill
included Will and Maud; Argyle
Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead: Will 'on a welcome return visit' and Maud
'a favourite'
20 June 1896, The Era:
Princess's Palace, Leeds call to rehearsal for Will and Maud
27 June 1896, The Era:
Princess's Palace, Leeds included Will and Maud
11 July 1896, The Era:
Empire Palace, Sheffield review:
Will, 'a clever and original musical entertainer' and Maud,
the agile dancer, from the Gaiety theatre'
15 July 1896, Liverpool Mercury:
Palace, New Brighton: included Will
18 July 1896, The Era:
Palace, New Brighton: included Will as one of the newcomers
25 July 1896, The Era:
Palace, New Brighton: included Will and Maud;
People's Palace, St Helens: call to rehearsal included Will and Maud
1 August 1896, The Era: People's
Palace, St Helens, "Another newcomer is Mr Will Mitcham as instrumentalist
of merit, who is much applauded"
8 August 1896, The Era: New
Empire Palace of Varieties included Will and Maud
in their usual performances
15 August 1896, The Era: Harte's
Grand Palace, Ashton-under-Lyne: call to rehearsal included Will and Maud
22 August 1896, The Era: Harte's
Grand Palace, Ashton-under-Lyne: included Will and Maud
who also played her guitar here
12 September 1896, The Era:
Grand Theatre, Boscombe: included Will and Maud
3 October 1896, The Era: The
Palace, Nottingham: Will 'excellent musical entertainment' and Maud
'pleasing serio contributions'
10 October 1896, The Era: In a
letter to the Editor referring to the disaster by fire, in which
performers lost stage effects, props and music, at Aberdeen Palace, Ernest
Sheldon said the show would continue (Will and Maud included in the
company) at the Alhambra on 12 October. Elsewhere the review of the
show stated Will, character vocalist and musician, is a capital
entertainer' while Maud, a charming artist,
displayed commendable ability, a smart top-boot dance fairly bringing down
the house'
17 - 24 October 1896, The Era:
Alhambra Variety Theatre, Aberdeen included Will and Maud
31 October 1896, The Era:
People's Palace, Dundee: in the review, Will and Maud
are ever popular for singing / dancing / 'Milanese minstrelsy'
14 November 1896, The Era: Will
and Maud's ad includes reference to her being the
'Champion Top-Boot dancer of the World'
21 November 1896, The Era:
Empire Palace, Hanley: Will and Maud 'a graceful
dancer' included in the company
6 December 1896, The
New York Times:
Maude Venner in Edward S Willard's The Rogue's Comedy
8 December 1896,
The New York Times:
Maude Venner as Nina Clarabut in the cast of The Rogue's Comedy
(by Henry Arthur Jones) at Waller's
19 December 1896, The Era:
National Palace of Varieties, North-End, Croydon, call to rehearsal for
Will and Maud
26 December 1896, The Era:
'ROSS, - In loving memory of Charlie Ross, comedian, who died at Cardiff
Dec. 25th 1893. Gone, but not forgotten by his loving relatives. R.I.P.'
26 December 1896, The Era:
National Palace of Varieties, Croydon, review: 'Maud Ross, dancer;
Will Mitcham, versatile entertainer'
1897
19 January 1897, Western Mail:
Ad for that evening, Maud and Will at the Empire, Newport.
16 February 1897, The Bristol Times
and Mirror: Will Mitcham and Maud
Ross from the People's Palace appeared at J. Wolseley Poole's
Benefit at Poole's Myriorama, Bristol.
15 March 1897: Will Mitcham, vocalist
and instrumentalist, Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. (NFA:
178R12.77 Playbill)
15, 23 April 1897, The Owl: Will
('a comedian who has ideas, and will go far')
and
Maud at the Empire Palace, 'one of the
acceptable turns to the entertainment'
3 July 1897, The Era: Will
and
Maud at the Empire Palace, Glasgow
11 October 1897: Will Mitcham, vocal
and musical speciality artiste; Maude Ross, comedienne, guitar soloist and
tap boot dancer Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. (NFA: 178R12.116
Playbill)
6 November 1897, The Era: Will
and Maud at the Star Palace of Varieties, Barrow in Furness
18 December 1897, The Era: Will
and Maud on rehearsal call at the Palace of Varieties, Dover
25 December 1897, The Era:
'ROSS, - In loving memory of late Charlie Ross who died Dec. 25th 1893.
Never to be forgotten by his loving relatives. R.I.P.'
1898
15 September 1898, The Era:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
30 September 1898, The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart:
Will Mitcham ('contributes an excellent
turn') and Maud Ross
at the Empire Palace of Varieties, Birmingham
23, 30 September 1898, The Owl:
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
('dances with much skill and grace') at the Empire
Palace of Varieties, Birmingham
24 December 1898, The Era: 'Maud
Ross, serio; Will Mitcham, musical speciality artiste' in review of show
at Empire, Leicester
31 December 1898, The Era:
'ROSS, - In loving memory of Charlie Ross who died Dec. 25th 1893. Gone
but never forgotten by his loving relatives, Mitcham and
Ross. R.I.P.'
1899
21 January 1899, The Era:
Alhambra, Brighton review: 'Will Mitcham, vocalist and instrumentalist;'
'Maud Ross, top-boot dancer'
1 April 1899, The Era: Will and
Maud at
Empire, Leeds
15 April 1899, The Era:
Through an 'error', Will Mitcham and Maud Ross had no work from the 17
April and the 24 April, although they were booked from the 22 April for
Moss and Thornton, Livermore, Stoll and Graydon tour. They gave
their contact address as: 10 Langton Road, Smithdown Road, Liverpool.
25 August 1899, The Birmingham
Pictorial - Dart: Positive reviews for Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
at the Empire Palace of Varieties, Birmingham
25 August 1899, The Owl: Will Mitcham
at the Empire Palace of Varieties, Birmingham. Good review for
Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
('smart top-boot dance is invariably encored')
in that day's The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart
30 September 1899, The Era: Call
to rehearsal for Will and Maud, Empire Theatre, Newcastle
1900
6 January 1900, The Era: 'Will
Mitcham's efforts as an instrumentalist are warmly re-demanded'
Palace Theatre of Varieties, Croydon, review
13 January 1900, The Era:
Rehearsal notice mentions Will Mitcham and Maud Ross, Empire, New Cross,
London
3 and 10 February 1900, The Era:
Middlesex Music Hall, Drury Lane: Will Mitcham and Maud Ross
3 February 1900, The Era:
Middlesex ad for Mr Will Mitcham, Musical Comedian, and
Maud Ross 'the
Dainty Little Performer'
17 February 1900, The Era: 'Will Mitcham and Maude Ross leave town on Monday
to commence a long tour, opening at the Palace, Plymouth'
24 February 1900, The Era: Will
and Maud to appear at the People's Palace, Bristol the following week
1 March 1900, The Bristol Mercury
and Daily Post: Will and Maud listed
2 and 3 March 1900, The Era and in
The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post:: Will Mitcham, 'vocalist and
instrumentalist', Miss Maud Ross, serio and dancer, The People's
Palace, Baldwin St, Bristol
5 March 1900, The Bristol
Mercury and Daily Post: Ad for People's Palace, Bristol: 'Will Mitcham, vocal comedian'
6 and 8 March 1900, The Bristol
Mercury and Daily Post: 'Will Mitcham, vocal comedian'
'Maud Ross, serio-comedienne and top-boot dancer'
10 March 1900, The Era: Ad that
'Mr. Will Mitcham, Musical Comedian, and Maud Ross the Dainty Little
Performer' to appear at the Empire, Leeds the following week
17 March 1900, The Era: Ad that
'Mr. Will Mitcham, Musical Comedian, and Maud Ross the Dainty Little
Performer' to appear at the Empire, Edinburgh the following week.
Also 'Will Mitcham is a musical comedian of ability' review for
performance at the Empire, Leeds
24 March 1900, The Era:
Rehearsal call for 26 March, and ad for appearance of Will and
Maud at the
Empire Theatre, Glasgow
31 March 1900, The Era: Will and
Maud are mentioned in review of Empire Theatre show, Glasgow, just as part
of group who gave 'smart turns'. Rehearsal call for same theatre for 2
April plus their ad for next week
7 April 1900, The Era: Booking
and rehearsal announcement (9 April) plus ad that 'Mr. Will Mitcham,
Musical Comedian, and Maud Ross the Dainty Little Performer' to
appear, Empire Theatre, Belfast
9 and 14 April 1900, The Belfast
News-Letter: Ad that 'Maud Ross Serio Comedienne and Dancer;
Will Mitcham, the Musical Comedian' are appearing at The Empire Theatre of
Varieties, Belfast
14 April 1900, The Era:
rehearsal call for Empire Theatre, Dublin: Will Mitcham,
Maud Ross
17 April 1900, Freeman's Journal and
Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): Ad of Empire Palace Theatre:
'Maud Ross...Will Mitcham Re-engagement owing to the terrific success of
The War Pictures'
21 April 1900, The Era: Ad that
'Mr. Will Mitcham, Musical Comedian, and Maud Ross the Dainty Little
Performer' to appear at the Empire, Dublin the next week. Review
for Empire Palace Theatre, Dublin: 'Will Mitcham, a good Musical
Comedian', 'Maud Ross scores as a serio'
24 April 1900, Freeman's Journal and
Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): Show review 'Mr Will Mitcham and
Miss Maud Ross contributed popular turns'
25 April 1900, Freeman's Journal and
Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin): Ad for Empire Palace Theatre,
Dublin: Mr Will Mitcham, Miss Maud Ross
28 April 1900, The Era: Review:
'Miss Maud Ross is warmly applauded for her singing and dancing' and later
after mention of a lady with her cockatoo, 'Will Mitcham is a
versatile comedian', Empire, Dublin. Also rehearsal call for Will
and Maud for 30 April at the Empire Theatre, Dublin
2 May 1900, Liverpool Mercury:
New Empire Theatre Liverpool bill: Will Mitcham and
Maud Ross
5 May 1900, The Era: New Empire
Theatre Liverpool Review: 'Mr Will Mitcham, musical comedian'; 'Miss
M. Ross, serio'
26 May 1900, The Era: Will and
Maud now at the Empire Theatre, Cardiff
2 June 1900, The Era: Rehearsal
call for Will and Maud, Empire Theatre Newport, 4 June
7 June 1900, Western Mail,
Cardiff: Ad for show including Will and Maud at Empire Theatre Newport
9 June 1900, The Era: Rehearsal
call for Will and Maud, Empire Theatre Swansea, 11 June
11 and 15 June 1900, Western Mail,
Cardiff: Ad for show including Maud (no mention is
Will - is he included
in 'etc'?) at Empire Theatre, Swansea
23 June 1900, The Era: Rehearsal
call for Will and Maud, Empire Theatre South Shields, 25 June
11 August 1900, The Era:
People's Palace, Portsmouth ad: 'Will Mitcham, instrumentalist; and
Maud Ross, song and dance artiste'
25 August 1900, The Era:
'Will Mitcham and Maud Ross, Sheffield favourites', at Empire Palace,
Sheffield. Also rehearsal call for
'Will Mitcham and Maud Ross at Empire
Theatre, Bradford
1 September 1900, The Era: 'Miss
Maud Ross appears here again with her old skill as a dancer in top boots,
and we have some acceptable comic vocalism from Messrs T B Fayme and Will Mitcham', Empire Bradford review
15 September 1900, The Era:
Grand Theatre, Bolton review: 'Miss Maud Ross, ballad and Tyrolean
vocalist' ; 'Will Mitcham, speciality artist'
29 September 1900, The Era: The
Royal, Liverpool, billing: Miss Maud Ross, ballad
vocalist and dancer', 'Will Mitcham, speciality artiste'
13 October 1900, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will and Maud, Grand Theatre, Walsall, 15 October
19 October 1900, Birmingham
Pictorial - The Dart:
Will and Maud, Empire Palace,
Birmingham,
27 October 1900, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will and Maud,
Empire Palace of Varieties, Birmingham, 2 week engagement
10 November 1900, The Era:
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead review: '...Miss Maud Ross, a
clever top boot dancer, and Mr Will Mitcham, instrumentalist, complete the
company'
10 November 1900, The Era:
Rehearsal call for Will and Maud, Palace Theatre, Manchester, 12 November
24 November 1900, The Era:
Empire Palace Wolverhampton, review shows pair at the bottom of the short
bill: 'Will Mitcham, speciality artist; and Maud Ross, comedienne'
1 December 1900, The Era:
Empire, Leicester, review: 'Miss Ross, comedienne and top boot dancer;
Will Mitcham, musical speciality artist;'
8 December 1900, The Era:
Stratford Empire, London: Maud Ross is still to be found on the same bill as
Will Mitcham
10 December 1900 onwards: Will and
Maud at the Middlesex Music Hall
1901 - 1905
1901
17 June 1901: Empire Palace Liverpool:
Featuring Maud Ross - Comedienne and Expert Dancer (programme)
1902
| 29 May 1902, Date of birth at 27
Hope Street, Leeds, registered by Annie
Kewitsch for William
Michael Kewitsch (aka
Mitcham) on 4 July 1902. In his late teens, his 'mother' told
him that he was actually born in Scarborough and that his real
parents were music hall performers and that his father was Will
Mitcham. Annie (who was also a
landlady for theatricals) had been the
midwife. In the 1950s,
William Michael changed his family's name to Mitcham. William
Michael Kewitsch / Mitcham is the grandfather of
John Wells
of this website |
2 December 1902: Will and Maud appeared at the Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead
(Ref GB247 STA JLC 46/44 Playbill at Special Collections Dept, Library,
Glasgow Uni)
1903
24 August 1893: Jack
Lorimer, comedian at the Argyle Theatre of Varieties,
Birkenhead. (NFA: 178R12.145 Playbill)
1904
Dunfermline Opera House: Jack
Lorimer doing the new dance, the cakewalk
The Palace, Shaftesbury Avenue: Jack
Lorimer
1905 - 1910
1905
?20 June 1905: Jack
Lorimer
14 August 1905, The Times: The
Palace: Jack
Lorimer
21 August 1905, The Times: The
Palace:Jack
Lorimer
?11 December 1905: Jack
Lorimer
Glasgow
1906
11 August 1906, The Penny
Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times: Jack
Lorimer at the Hackney Empire.
27 October 1906, The Penny
Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times: Maud Ross is still to be
found on the same bill as Will Mitcham at the Stratford Empire.
28 November 1906: John G and Maud
C Lorimer, 'theatrical variety artiste', arrived in USA for first
time, at New York on the 'Oceanic' from Liverpool (departure date 21
November) with £250 and no fixed
destination. Appearance: Maud was 4' 10'', dark hair, dark
complexion, and blue eyes; John was 5' 4½'', dark brown hair, dark
complexion, hazel eyes. 1907
3 May 1907: Jack and Mrs Lorimer
arrived at Southampton from New York on the 'Celtic' en route for London.
?19/21/22/24 August 1907: Jack
Lorimer , Royal Lyceum
Theatre/Theatre Royal?
?19/20/21 August 1907: Stella
Stahl, Theatre Royal?
25 November 1907, Ref GB 247 STA JLC P 2 Playbill: Jack Lorimer
at the Palace Theatre of Varieties, London.
1908
4 May 1908, Ref GB 247 STA JLC 46/48 Playbill:
Jack Lorimer at Argyle Theatre of Varieties , Birkenhead.
1909
?25/26/27 January 1909:
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace, Edinburgh?
?29 January 1909:
Stella Stahl, Theatre Royal?
26 February 1909: John G
Lorimer and Maud Clara Lorimer, both described as 'artiste'
arrived at New York on board the 'Adriatic' from Southampton (departure 17
February).
Address of relative / friend in England: 7 Claylands Rd Clapham London
1910
?18/19 February 1910: Stella
Stahl Empire Palace?
?17 May 1910, The Times: The Palace Theatre
review:
Jack Lorimer
18 October 1910, The Times: The Palace Theatre:
Jack Lorimer- his performance 'suggested' Harry Lauder
1911 - 1920
1911
?11 April 1911: Jack
Lorimer , Lyceum?
?18 April 1911: Jack
Lorimer
29 September 1911: Jack
Lorrimer, artiste, and Maud Lorrimer,
housewife, arrived at New York from Liverpool after travelling
second-class on the 'Mauretania'.
Last permanent address was 6 Regent Rd, Gosforth (the Mitcham home
address)
24 November 1911: Maud and
Jack Lorimer, housewife and variety artist, arrived at
Liverpool from New York on the 'Baltic'.
1912
1 July 1912: First Royal Command Performance before
King George V and Queen Mary was held at the Palace Theatre, London. Jack Lorimer
was one of the stars who appeared,
see no
95 on this photo
?17/18/19/20 September 1912: Jack Lorimer,
Stella Stahl Empire Palace?
1913
10 March 1913: Jack Lorimer,
'the Hielan' Laddie', Stella Stahl
comedienne at Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. (NFA: 178R12.207
Playbill)
?16/18 September 1913: Jack
Lorimer
?15/16/17/19/23 September 1913:
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace
1914 ?14/15
September 1914: Jack
Lorimer and
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace
?17 September 1914:
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace
?22 September 1914: Jack
Lorimer
22 October 1914: John G
Lorimer, 'theatrical' and Maud C
Lorimer, housewife, arrived
at New York on board the 'Adriatic' from Liverpool (address given was The
Wee House', contact Jeam Gillap 12
December 1914: Maud Lorimer,
'theatrical artiste', of The Wee Hoose, Endymion Road, Brixton Hill, arrived at
Liverpool from New York on the 'Lusitania'.
1915 ?13 April
1915: Jack
Lorimer and
Stella Stahl
?8/9 November 1915: Jack
Lorimer and
Stella Stahl,
Empire Palace ?12 November 1915:
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace 1916
17 January 1916:
Stella Stahl in Song and Dance; Jack
Lorimer, Scotch Comedian and Dancer Argyle Theatre of
Varieties, Birkenhead. (NFA: 178R12.236 Playbill)
?13 June 1916: Jack
Lorimer
1917 ?23
January 1917: Jack
Lorimer and
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace
?24/26 January 1917:
Stella Stahl, Empire Palace
?20 February 1917 Alhambra Theatre, Leith: Jack
Lorimer and
Stella Stahl |
