Social Victorians/Royals Amateur Theatricals

Amateur Theatricals in the Royal Family

1887 October 12

Saturday, Balmoral

According to Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper,

The private theatricals at Balmoral castle, commenced on Saturday evening, were continued on Monday in presence of the Queen and other members of the Royal household. Used Up was the piece given. The stage was erected in the spacious ballroom with very fine scenery representing views about Balmoral. The cast was as follows: -- Sir Charles Coldstream, Bart., Colonel Arthur Collins [sic], Sir Adonis Leech, Major the Hon. Harry Legge; the Hon. Tom Seville, Mr. Victor Biddulph; Wurzel (a farmer), Major S. Walker; Ironbrace (a blacksmith), Major A. Bigge; Fennel (a lawyer), Dr. Reid; Lady Clutterbuck, Princess Beatrice; Mary Wurzel, Miss Annie Cochran; Susan, the Ron. Rosa Hood. Prompter, the Lady Ampthill; Stage Manager, Lieut. Arthur Collins [sic]. Most of the stage paraphernalia was provided by the lessee of the Abereen theatre, the band of which rendered the music. Her Majesty was much delighted with the performance. Princess Beatrice acted well, showing considerable dramatic ability. Used Up was repeated on Tuesday, when a number of the tenants on the Balmoral and Abergeldie estates, as well as several visitors to Braemar, were specially invited.

1890 January 21

Tuesday, Osborne

According to The Era,

The Era reports on 1 February 1890 the following theatricals at Osborne:

THE Royal festivities at Osborne last week included on three nights the following tableaux vivants: -- "Esther," "Fotheringay," "The Surrender of Calais," "A Bedouin Encampment," and "Twelfth Night Revels." On Tuesday, the 21st ult., was played Charles Mathews' one-act comic drama, Little Toddlekins, with the following cast: -- Jones Robinson Brownsmith, Lieut.-Col. Arthur Collins, Mr Barnaby Babbicombe, General Sir Henry Ponsonby; Captain Littlepop, Major A. Bigge; Amanthis, H.R.H. the Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne; Annie Babbicome, H.R.H. Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg; and Susan, Miss Magdalen Ponsonby. The stage-management was in the hands of Lieut.-Col. Collins; Dr. Reid was the prompter; and the wigs were supplied by Mr Clarkson.

1891 November 10

Tuesday, Balmoral

According to the Morning Post,

In the evening the Queen, with their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg and their Serene Highnesses Princess Victoria Mary and Prince Adolphus of Teck, witnessed a theatrical performance in which the Hon. Ethel Cadogan, the Hon. Mary Hughes, Major-General T. Dennehy, Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Collins, Major Waller, and Mr. Profeit took part. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Household in Waiting as well as Miss Bauer, Dr. John Hoffmeister, Dr. Profeit, and the Munshi Hafiz Abdul Karim were present. The following had the honour of being invited and of being received by her Majesty afterwards: — The Viscountess Strathallan, the Hon. Frances Drummond, Sir Allan and Lady Mackenzie, Lord Knutsford, Captain Hacket Thompson, Lieutenant Macfarlan, and Lieutenant Scott Kerr, of the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

The servants and tenants on the Balmoral, Abergeldie, and Birkhall Estates were also present, as on previous occasions.

The Countess of Antrim, Miss M'Neill, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Fleetwood Edwards were in attendance on the Queen.

1893 January 3

Quote Intro

According to the Morning Post,

The Queen last evening witnessed a representation of Tableaux Vivants, in which their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, with Prince Arthur and the Princesses Margaret and Victoria Patricia of Connaught, Princess Louise (Marchioness of Lorne) and the Marquess of Lorne, and Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg, with Prince Alexander and Princess Victoria Eugénie of Battenberg, and the following ladies and gentlemen took part: — Lady Elizabeth Meade, Lady Adela Cochrane, Major and the Hon. Mrs. North Dalrymple, the Hon. Evelyn Moore, the Hon. Rosa Hood, Mrs. Philip Perceval, Miss Minnie Cochrane, Miss de Horsey, Mademoiselle de Morinni, Lieut. Colonel Arthur Collins, Lieutenant Frederick Ponsonby, Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, Mr. Muther, Mr. Henry Cowell, and the Munshi Abdul Karim.

The Band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry performed a selection of music during the evening under the direction of Mr. George Miller, bandmaster.

Mr. Clarkson furnished the costumes and wigs for the tableaux.

The following had the honour of receiving invitations, and of being received by her Majesty afterwards in the drawing-room: — Admiral the Earl and Countess of Clanwilliam, Lady Katherine Meade and the Hon. Herbert Meade, Lieut. General the Hon. Somerset and Mrs. Calthorpe and Miss Caltborpe, the Hon. Lady and Miss Biddulph and Mr. Victor Biddulph, Miss Magdalen Ponsonby, Lady Harpur-Crewe, Miss and Mr. Harpur-Crewe, General Sir Samuel and Lady Browne and Miss Browne, Lady and Miss Cowell and Lieutenant Cowell, Admiral and Mrs. de Horsey, Rear Admiral and Mrs. Fullerton, the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Prothero and Captain Prothero, R.N., the Rev. J. and Mrs. Bailey and Miss Bailey, the Rev. Clement Smith and Mrs. Smith, Colonel and Mrs. Featherstonehaugh. Colonel and Mrs. Craddock, Colonel and Mrs. Tatnell, Captain and Mrs. Ryder, Captain and Mrs. Hudson, Captain and Mrs. Burn, Captain and Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Shedden, Mr. and Mrs. Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Seely, Mr. and Miss Burnaby, Dr. W. and Mrs. Hoffmeister, Colonel Carey (Commanding Royal Engineers in the Isle of Wight), Colonel Suther (Commandant Royal Marine Artillery), Colonel Philips (Commandant Royal Marine Light Infantry), Colonel Browne (Commanding 3d Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps), Colonel Crozier, Lieutenant Colonel Poore, Captain Woodward, her Majesty's ship Nelson; Captain Pearson, A.D.C., her Majesty's ship Excellent; Captain Hall, her Majesty's ship Vernon; Captain Burnell, her Majesty's ship Asia; Staff Captain Phillips, her Majesty's ship Fire Queen; Staff Captain Goldsmith, her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert ; Staff Commander Broad, her Majesty's yacht Elfin [?]; Commander Gresley, her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert; Commander Macvey Napier, her Majesty's ship Invincible, Lieutenant Mundy (Flag Lieutenant), Lieutenant Morgan, Fleet Surgeon Woods, and Assistant Paymaster Share, her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert; Surgeon Captain Kilkelly, Captain Kays, Captain St. Leger, Captain Blewitt, Lieutenant the Hon. S. Tollemache, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Jenner, 3d Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps; Mr. Philip Perceval, and Mr. Baring.

Supper was served in the dining-room. (CC18930304)

1893 February 2

Thursday, Osborne

According to Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper,

<quote>The beautiful Indian room at Osborne was on Thursday night the scene of histrionic display in more pronounced form than the dainty tableaux vivants which so auspiciously celebrated the birth of the New year. As on that occasion, Princess Louise (Marchioness of Lorne) and Princess Beatrice (Princess Henry of Battenberg), undertook the arrangement of the entire entertainment, Oliver Goldsmith's ever delightful comedy, She Stoops to Conquer, being the piece chosen for the little theatre. On Wednesday evening a full-dress rehearsal had been given before the Queen and her household, and then, indeed, the representation was so smooth that it might almost be reckoned a first night. Her Majesty, who had invited a select audience, again honoured the theatricals on Thursday evening with her presence. The acting throughout was most even, and thoroughly in accord with the spirit of the pretty play; while, thanks to Colonel Arthur Collins, who himself played Hardcastle with great effect, the staging was irreproachable. The two Royal Princesses acquitted themselves well as Miss Hardcastle and Miss Neville, perhaps ?? the most charming creations in any comedy, old or modern; and Miss Magdalan Ponsonby was a life-like Mrs. Hardeastle. Mr. Fritz Ponsonby and Major Arthur Bigge, respectively Young Marlow and Hastings, made all their points, and the humour of Tony Lumpkin left nothing to be desired with the rendering of it by Mr. Arthur Ponsonby. Moreover, the smaller parts were well filled, Major Legge doing double comic duty as Stingo and Diggory; Mr. A. Cowell as a dual Roger and Twist; while Sir Henry Ponsonby did not despise the character of Jack Slang, nor Lord Lorne that of Tom Tickle; Miss Minnie Cochrane being a winsome waiting maid. Mr. Reuben-Cole's scenery, especially the "Pigeons" set, was very justly admired, and the old English dresses did great credit to Mr. Clarkson. As for Mr. R. Waterfield, his services with the "book" were, happily, never required; but the working of the new electric lighting by himself and Colonel Collins showed how efficiently the installation had been made by Mr. William Massey, the Queen's electrician; and the tuneful selections given by the string band, under the skilful direction of Mr. F. Rutland, contributed not a little to the enjoyment of those privileged to be present. The following is the programme, which was printed in Royal blue on white cardboard:

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.
A Comedy in Five Acts, by Oliver Goldsmith.
Act I.

Scene 1. Gallery in Mr. Hardcastle's House.

Scene 2. Ale House, "Three Pigeons."

Acts II, III, and IV.

Parlour in Mr. Hardcastle's House.

Act. V.

Scene 1. Garden at Mr. Hardcastle's.

Scene 2. Parlour in Mr. Hardcastle's House.

Period about 1770.
Prompter .... Mr. B. Waterfield.
Stage Manager .. Colonel A. Collins.
Wigs and Costumes .. Mr. Clarkson.
Scenery .. Mr. Reuben Cole.
Characters:

Sir Charles Marlow Mr. V. Biddulph.

Hardcastle .. Colonel Arthur Collins.

Young Marlow .. Mr. Fritz Ponsonby.

Hastings .. Major Arthur Bigge.

Stingo-Innkeeper Major the Hon. H. C.

Diggory -- Servant .. Legge.

Roger -- Servant .. Mr. A. Cowell.

Jack Slang .. Gen. Sir Henry Ponsonby.

Tom Tickle .. Marquis of Lorne.

Twist .. Mr. A. Cowell.

Mrs. Hardcastle .. Miss Magdalen Ponsonby.

Miss Hardcastle ... H.R.H. the Princess Louise Marchioness of Lorne.

Miss Neville .. H.R.H. the Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg.

Maid .. Miss Minnie Cochrane.

God Save the Queen.

The performance, which went without a hitch from beginning to end, and was by the spectators, will be repeated. in all honesty pronounced "splendid" by the spectators, will be repeated.

The Court Circular says: --There were present the Earl and Countess of Clanwilliam, Lady Elizabeth Meade, Lady Katherine Meade, the Hon. Lady Ponsonby, the Dowager Lady and Miss Harpur-Crewe, the Hon. Mrs. Carzon-Howe, Lady and Miss Cowell, the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Protheroe, Mr. and Mrs. R. Grant, Miss Brooke Firman, Miss Bulteel, Rear-Admiral Fullerton, A.D.C., Captain Kane (Flag captain). Staff-captain Phillips, Lieut.-colonel Browne (commanding the 3rd bat.King's Royal Rifle corps), Commander Grealey, Fleet-surgeon Woods, and Fleet-engineer Salmon (of H.M.Y. Victoria and Albert), Major Lord Fredrick FitzGerald, Captain Blowitt, and Lieutenant the Hon. S. Tollemache [?] Ommanney (H.M.S. Invincible), the Rev. Clement Smith, the Rev. George Schofield, and Dr. W. Hoffmeister. Refreshments were served in the dining-room. Mr. Rutland's string band performed during the evening. Mr. Clarkson furnished the costumes and wigs.

On Saturday the performance was repeated before the Queen.

Her Majesty did a signally graceful act in presenting, at the conclusion of the first performance of She Stoops to Conquer, Mr. W. Clarkson (the costumier and perruquier) with a handsome diamond and pearl scarf pin and stud, as a souvenir of the success of his work.</quote>

1896 January 20

Monday, Osborne

<quote>PRIVATE THEATRICALS AT OSBORNE. A private theatrical performance was given last evening at Osborne before the Queen, Princess Henry of Battenberg, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the Marquess and Marchioness of Lorne, and other members of the Royal family, the ladies and gentlemen of the Court, and other guests, including officers of the Navy and Royal yachts. The Indian Room was prettily decorated for the occasion, and the accommodation provided was for about 100 guests. The stage was adorned with flowering plants and foliage, while the electric light supplied the illumination. In the gallery at the end of the room, and opposite the stage, the string band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, under the direction of Mr. George Miller, was stationed. Mr. Pinero's comedy The Money Spinner was the piece selected for performance, and was excellently played by the following: -- Mr. H. H. Share, R.N., who represented Lord Kergussie; the Earl of Dartmouth (Baron Croodle), Hon. A. G. Yorke (Harold Boycott), Colonel Arthur Collins (Jules Faubert, a detective), Hon. Mary Hughes (Millicent Boycott). Hon. Aline Majendie (Dorina Croodle), and Miss Evelyn Moreton (Margot). Mr. Bernard Yorke acted as prompter. The interior of Boycott's lodgings in Rouen, with French windows opening on to the balcony overlooking the city at night, was effectively represented. The entertainment having been successfully concluded, the guests were presented to the Queen in the drawing-room, and afterwards partook of supper in the council-room. Another performance is to be given this evening, to which ladies and gentlemen representing well-known families in the Isle of Wight and the Services have been invited.</quote>

References

These need to be followed up

• CC18930304
• http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000098/18930103/019/0006 (almost identical url to Ref #4, maybe the page before that one?